F.I.G.H. - Comitato Regionale Piemonte

As indicated earlier, the teams were asked to give feed-back on the referee performances. We are very grateful for the collaboration, because the response rate was high as 70%.
For each match, the teams rated the overal performance and commented on specific strengths and weaknesses.On a sale of 5 (= excellent) to 1 (= very weak), the average after the preliminary round was 3,3. After the main round there was an improvement in the overall average to 3,8. This must be seen as quite satisfactory.

But a satisfactory average cannot conceal that there were problems in many individual matches and that the referees generally had difficulties with some specific aspects of their job. In this case, the views of the teams and the Referee Commission concided very well. The main area of concern was the progressive line: In some matches the referees allowed too much, but in other matches they started with punishments even before the players had yet decided it. Another problem was that in some matches the referees started with an appropriate line but then failed to maintain it. This led to inconsistencies a lack of control in the late stages of the match.

Another area where the teams and the Referee Commission shared concerns was the judgement of offensive fouls. The pace of the attackers and therefore also the number of attacks in a match has increased. Also, the defenders are not longer so static in waiting for the attackers, they move out more aggressively and try to “draw” offensive fouls.
The resulting body-contact is very strong and happens fast. Moreover, the players do not hesitate to use some “theater” to mislead the referees after a collision ( or even when there is no real body contact !). So, even if the referees fully know the relevant criteria leg, is thee defender still moving, who gets to the point of contact first, are arms or legs used in an illegal manner), the problem is that making a correct observation is increasingly becoming a major challenge.
Efforts are already in progress regarding improved positioning and more distribution. Increased attention to concentration, observation and reaction skills must also be part of the efforts. The game is developing in such a way that it may be “running away” from the older generation of referees. Solid rules knowledge and a confident personality is still necessary starting point, but it is no longer enough! Identifying and training younger talents for the difficult job at the top level is an urgent task.

Another situation that presents major challenges is the constant struggle between “pivot” and defender at the 6-meter line. More often than not, both players are guilty of illegal methods (incorrect blocking, holding, using legs, “sitting” on the opponents, etc. ) . And this happens also when the ball is elsewhere and the referees must focus on other players.

So again it is a question of concentration and correct observation. One must try to see who initiates the illegal action and intervene before the situation becomes so complex that the decision becomes a “lottery”.

Passive Play is sometimes a controversial topic. In this Championship there has been less discussion than the past. Part of the reason may be the generally increased pace of the attacks
That tend to be of shorter duration than before. Another explanation is that the referees have been in alert to tactical delays and time-wasting during 2-minute suspensions, etc. The timing of the “forewarning signal” tends to be corect, and if the teams have had reasons to complain about inconsistencies, this has typically involved the time between the “forewarning signal” and the subsequent decision to whistle for passive play. Regarding this judgement, there is clearly room for improvement.

All in all, one must be satisfied with the work of a relatively small to group of referees, but strong reinforcements and intensive preparation will be needed for future Championships. We thank the coaches for the collaboration this time, and input from the coaching side will of course be sought also in the preparations for the future!



The spanish team starts a counterattack in the second wave. The spanish player without the ball in the middle of the field tries to start into the free area on the right side. The swedish defender holds this player from behind.		The referees don´t interrupted this attractive counterattack situation and gave advantage ! But: the field referee showed a handsign into the direction of this swedish player (No. 5) while he is running to the other side. This means: This player must be punished after the next interruption! A very good noverbal communication between both referees !



The spanish left back starts immediatly a one-on-one action.		Pass from the left back to the centre back but one swedish player is pushing the attacker while he is jumping.



Foul from the swedisch player (no. 17). The referees whisled free throw.		Direct after whistling the referees punished the swedish player No. 5 who tried to destroyed the opponent`s counterattack right at the beginning. Here the referees showed in averv good way, that they understand the tactics of the game.



SCG attacks in a numerical superiority (6-5). SCG plays with two pivots (2-4 system). The left back court player attacks the centre back defender: on the right side is now a numerical superiority (3-2 situation).		Pass from the left back court player to the right back court player. The left half defender holds the pivot on the right side.



The right back court player plays a bounced pass to the pivot. The defender moves actively the foot sideways – like a goalkeeper – in order to defend. The criteria for the referees: - obvious large step - raising a leg obviously - The half defender stops very obviously a pass to the pivot.