Above the Shoulder

U.S. Soccer Federation Referee ProgramGrade 7 Referee CourseAmateur Adult Training

Importance

o Player safety is keyo Increased frequencyoSpeedoPhysicalityoSeverity

Indicators

o FIREoFrustrationo IntimidationoRetaliationoEstablishing position

Tool vs. Weapon

Tool

o Used for balanceo Normal body movemento Not moved toward opponento In position before contact is madeo Jumping with arm making contact oJumps upoNot jumping up and into opponent

o Foul and misconduct

Weapon

o Used with excessive forceo Swung toward an opponento Makes contact with soft surfaceoFace or neck

o Jumping with arm making contactoJumps up and into opponent

o Leads with the armo Red card

Evaluation

o Did the player jump up and into the opponent?

o Did the player lead with the arm?o Did the player move the arm toward the

opponent?o Was the safety of the opponent endangered?o What was the result of the contact?o Was excessive force used?

Focus

o Contact during the run of playoAttacker relieving pressureoDefender impeding attackeroAerialoRestarts and free kicks

o Off the balloMass confrontationoVC

Aerial Challenges

o Increased frequencyoClearancesoLong ballsoFree kicksoRestarts

o PlayersoSpeedoStrength

Review Question

o What type of challenges most frequently involve contact above the shoulder?

o Aerialo Tacticalo Excessive forceo Tackles from behind

Review Question

o Is the arm considered being used as a weapon if a player jumps up and into an opponent or leads with an extended arm?

o Yeso No

Review Question

o Does using the arm as a tool mean that the player should always receive a yellow card?

o Yeso No

Review Question

o Does using the arm as a weapon mean that the player should always be issued a red card?

o Yeso No