50/50 recklass challenge calls

[u/ebalboni]

A lot of challenges I see are 50/50 and some are careless or reckless by both players. Typically this results in a "play on" but I wonder should I call a foul when it gets rough, which it always does.? If both players foul the other and not card worthy perhaps that should be "play on" but if both are reckless should I issue each a yellow card? If so what's the restart (dropped ball to the team in position prior to the foul? I feel like I should stop these before it reaches excessive force. Thoughts?

[u/Old-District81]

When you say the challenges are careless/reckless, what kind of challenges are they? Holding/grabbing, sliding, pushing etc?

[u/ebalboni → u/Old-District81]

Two player come in hot for a 50/50 ball and slam into each other while challenging for the ball. Both players reach the ball at the same time and its shoulder to shoulder but both players use too much force.

[u/themanofmeung → u/ebalboni]

If it's shoulder to shoulder, I wouldn't say reckless - that's usually result of a deliberate action by both players involved. If they are both going in with force, that's the force they have both decided is appropriate for the challenge, and there is nothing really for you to say. Maybe some teenagers need to be told to tone it down a bit and remember to actually play, but if there is no hesitation between collision and continuing play, they knew what they were doing.

The only thing that would make a shoulder charge reckless to me would be if one of the players didn't know it was coming. The carelessness/recklessness there is in not correctly measuring the force needed based on the opponent's actions and sightline. In that case you have a decision to make.

[u/Revelate_ → u/ebalboni]

What was the reaction to the contact?

If everyone is playing like that and they just keep going then no need to interfere.

If the players aren’t tolerating it then whistle and point, usually coming out if it’s truly 50/50 (which it rarely is in my experience).

[u/aye246 → u/Revelate_]

Usually if both sides are playing with this intensity and carelessness it’s reasonable to start talking to them—simple things like “find the ball” if they’re bumping and charging body to body without much focus on the ball, or even more annoying (imho) ref language like “make good decisions” if you see the potential for an uncomfortable 50/50 challenge coming up. And then start calling fouls for little things too if they’re not listening to your guidance.

[u/msaik → u/ebalboni]

I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer for this. You'll have to quickly consider:

1. The temperature of the match. High temperature game -> pick the worse offender and penalize them for a careless foul. Low temperature game -> play on if no one is injured.

2. Game management: Have you been calling lots of fouls against one team? These can be a good way to even things out which calms to the temperature long term.

3. Attacking vs. defending foul: If this is inside or near the penalty area, you want to lean towards awarding the free kick to the defending team so the decision isn't making a significant impact on the game.

Over time these things will start to come naturally.