Two girls fighting what is everyone's responsibility?
- Thread starter socalkdg
- Start date
Define fighting. A quick hair pull, spitting, scratching, or multiple punches? The response needs to be in proportion to the potential harm and warranted for the protection of both children.
LifeisGood
SILVER ELITE
It's not clear what exactly happened from the info provided, but pretty simple if there were punches thrown. Should be Automatic red cards for both from the ref. 2+ game suspension for each players and a review by Calsouth discipline committee. Red cards cars will follow them. That usually does the job.
ForumParent
SILVER
Before discipline, I think you are referring to the more immediate issue of who should break up the fight/physically separate the two fighters?
If they are really going at it and it doesn't look like they will stop until somebody intervenes, then I say the closest adult capable of breaking it up. And I wouldn't care what the ref said, even if they kick me out.
Parent has zero responsibility. The fact the kids are fighting is evidence that parental influence is further is unwarranted and will probably make things worse. Stay on the sideline. Step on the pitch and be prepared to get suspended for a few games. Seriously, stay on the sideline.
Referee's responsibility is to prevent the fight from becoming a "mass confrontation" and attempt to stop through verbal commands and separate players if it can be done without escalation, injury to referee or other players. In the case of 2005 girls, just about any adult/18+ referee should be able to safely separate, but who knows without more info. If fight become mass confrontation, referees go into "triangle of control" and observe and report and get ready to show some yellow and reds.
See, https://www.massref.net/ussfdirectives/Game_Disrepute_and_Mass_Confrontation.pdf
Coach responsibility is to call all players to stand down.
Teammates responsibility is to separate their teammate and try to calm situation.
Referee's responsibility is to prevent the fight from becoming a "mass confrontation" and attempt to stop through verbal commands and separate players if it can be done without escalation, injury to referee or other players. In the case of 2005 girls, just about any adult/18+ referee should be able to safely separate, but who knows without more info. If fight become mass confrontation, referees go into "triangle of control" and observe and report and get ready to show some yellow and reds.
See, https://www.massref.net/ussfdirectives/Game_Disrepute_and_Mass_Confrontation.pdf
Coach responsibility is to call all players to stand down.
Teammates responsibility is to separate their teammate and try to calm situation.
And then you enter the field, the other parents enter the field. Now we have parents fighting. Stay off the field, let the Refs handle it.
Yes.
Quickest correct way to get the fight stopped. My thinking was the referee or AR. Was also wondering what other coaches have done. Figured parents need to stay off the field.
charlie murphy
SILVER
A parent breaking up the "fight" in this situation is a bad idea. Unless that can be done without physical contact. The "parent " in this situation is a spectator. That person has no authority to enter the field. The responsibility for play safety falls firmly on the players, the refs and the coaches. If the kids are irresponsible enough to "drop the gloves" and go at on the soccer pitch it is highly unlikely that the parent(s) of at least one of those kids is not in someway going to question "why YOU got involved ....why you touched my kid.....what business of it is yours". At which point your personal safety could be in danger, for doing the right thing. It is a very sad situation but it is the very real world we live. I am not sure what my reaction would be if I was the witness to this. If this did happen the cards should be issued , suspension issued and the situation reviewed.
I agree with you completely except when there are kicks to or stomps on the head. I've seen more than a few times a down goalie get repeatedly kicked in the head and stomped on. In this case I don't care whose kid it is or how big their dad is. When it was a couple of kids doing the damage I jumped on the down goalie and shielded his head until the ref crew got the beasts away. A few punches is very different then blows to the head.
AZsoccerDad
BRONZE
Parents should not step in....good way to get into huge trouble.
Supermodel56
SILVER ELITE
Very general but, I'd say:
1) Parents/Spectators: Stay off the field and do your best to stay calm.
2) Players: You're probably closest, best to stay away as well, if you are calm, possibly you can try to calm them down as well, but this can also easily escalate the situation. If you're going to try to get in between and push someone back, make sure it's your own teammate.
3) Coach: Each coach needs to step in and pull his/her own player away from situation and help them calm down. Doing anything with the other player, even using words can be interpreted as a sign of aggression and make the situation worse.
4) Refs: Call for security/support. You'll need them anyway to escort the players off. Depending on the situation and relative size of players, maybe can try to get in between and calm them down, but again, parents/coaches can interpret this as a sign of aggression and then come after you, starting a brawl. Have red cards ready.
1) Parents/Spectators: Stay off the field and do your best to stay calm.
2) Players: You're probably closest, best to stay away as well, if you are calm, possibly you can try to calm them down as well, but this can also easily escalate the situation. If you're going to try to get in between and push someone back, make sure it's your own teammate.
3) Coach: Each coach needs to step in and pull his/her own player away from situation and help them calm down. Doing anything with the other player, even using words can be interpreted as a sign of aggression and make the situation worse.
4) Refs: Call for security/support. You'll need them anyway to escort the players off. Depending on the situation and relative size of players, maybe can try to get in between and calm them down, but again, parents/coaches can interpret this as a sign of aggression and then come after you, starting a brawl. Have red cards ready.
My daughters fellow 05 Bronze team was in a tournament with us, playing a Bronze 04 team, which was much bigger, but lacked some ball skills. The 05 team had a number of 06's guest playing, none of them very physical. The 04 opponent was very physical especially off the ball with pushing, grabbing, elbowing and shoving going on, referee's let them play. One AR had been watching it and just shrugged his shoulders when asked if anything was going to be done, saying what am I supposed to do. It was clearing escalating, getting worse in the second half.
Near the end of the game away from the ball a girl on the other team kicked one of the players from behind when her back was turned, knocking her to the ground. She got up and pushed the girl, then punches were thrown. Parent of the 05 team ran out for his daughter, getting into the face of the other girl, leading to other team parent coming out, etc. Eventually peace was restored. No cards were given out to either girl.
My daughters team played this same 04 team the next day and when the game started to get too rough(illegal rough), the referees used their yellow cards on the different girls which seemed to do the trick keeping the game physical but controlled.
As referees we attempt to deescalate the "Game Disrepute" and prevent it from becoming a "Mass Confrontation." Once a fight begins, the proper response from the AR's is to drop their flags, rush to the location of the incident and attempt to calm the situation (while making note of the players needing discipline ... yellows and reds). Any player joining the group with any action that can be interpreted as aggressive is to receive a caution (yellow) or be sent off if swinging (red).
As a parent (aka spectator aka financier aka chauffeur), I can appreciate the overwhelming desire to come to the rescue of your child, especially if your kid is getting the worst of it or being ganged up on. Nothing I say is going to prevent a Dad from rushing to the aid of your kid who is getting the snot knocked out of them, I get it. But, there is a procedure and process and parents entering the field just complicated everything and there will be repercussions that could include being suspended and/or banned for the season or life by Cal South.
As a parent (aka spectator aka financier aka chauffeur), I can appreciate the overwhelming desire to come to the rescue of your child, especially if your kid is getting the worst of it or being ganged up on. Nothing I say is going to prevent a Dad from rushing to the aid of your kid who is getting the snot knocked out of them, I get it. But, there is a procedure and process and parents entering the field just complicated everything and there will be repercussions that could include being suspended and/or banned for the season or life by Cal South.
06 players are in 5th or 6th grade. 04 players are mostly in 8th grade.
06 players are just entering the "physical" nature of soccer and I believe are still playing 9v9.
04 players are pretty physical, especially if they are (as you mentioned) lower in skill.
Not that this justifies a fight, but this was a bad situation all the way around. Playing up a year and then having players from a year below that is not a good idea at a tournament.
I've seen top flight teams play up into the middle flight of a tournament before and it's worked out ok. But to play up at the lower level is not recommended.
I hope that everyone is ok.
06 players are just entering the "physical" nature of soccer and I believe are still playing 9v9.
04 players are pretty physical, especially if they are (as you mentioned) lower in skill.
Not that this justifies a fight, but this was a bad situation all the way around. Playing up a year and then having players from a year below that is not a good idea at a tournament.
I've seen top flight teams play up into the middle flight of a tournament before and it's worked out ok. But to play up at the lower level is not recommended.
I hope that everyone is ok.
genesis
SILVER ELITE
5) If all else fails break out the Boxing Gloves and let em go at it!
Supermodel56
SILVER ELITE
If your kids aren't involved and you don't like the participants, just break out the popcorn...
Lambchop
GOLD
Twelve year old girls come in a lot of sizes, one can be turning 13 on Jan. 2 in 2018 the other can be turning 12 on Dec. 28th. 2017. One can weigh 160 pounds the other 90, if the ref is at the other end of the field someone could be seriously hurt if it is a serious physical fight. If the ref isn't close or the coach, then a responsible adult should stop it.