ADVANTAGE

1. ADVANTAGE The Four Ps

2. Important in Match Management: Players Want To Play! Soccer is a sport involving Action! Movement! Excitement! (little of this occurs during a stoppage)

3. One way to keep the match moving: Don’t stop play for violations that “don’t matter” Former IBD-8, Law 5 Paraphrased as: Don’t whistle for doubtful or trifling violations

4. One way to keep the match moving: Don’t stop play for violations that “don’t matter” What is “doubtful”? Former IBD-8, Law 5 Paraphrased as: Don’t whistle for doubtful or trifling violations

5. One way to keep the match moving: Don’t stop play for violations that “don’t matter” What is “trifling? Former IBD-8, Law 5 Paraphrased as: Don’t whistle for doubtful or trifling violations

6. Another way we keep the match moving is to apply advantage Law 5 Paraphrased as: Signal that play will continue if stopping play would benefit the team that committed the violation

7. Signaling “advantage” IS CALLING THE FOUL The signal only indicates that play will continue Another way we keep the match moving is to apply advantage Law 5 Paraphrased as: Signal that play will continue if stopping play would benefit the team that committed the violation

8. “doubtful or trifling” applies to Any violation Any offense Any infraction of any Law “advantage” applies only to Violations of Law 12 (fouls or misconduct)

9. “doubtful or trifling” applies to Any violation Any offense Any infraction of any Law Although not expressly described as “advantage” Law 5 does apply the advantage concept to occurrences of misconduct “advantage” applies only to Violations of Law 12 (fouls or misconduct)

10. 3. Re-Start 2. Punishment 1. Whistle Involves a Delay A Infringement X B 1. No Whistle 2. “Advantage” MUST DEAL WITH MISCONDUCT AT NEXT STOPPAGE 3. Play Continues 4. Acknowledge Infringement

11. The First P is Possession Active and Credible Control By Player Fouled or by Teammate

12. Ball played into space or a teammate rushing in to support the fouled player Usually requires seeing the wider field and waiting a second or two The First P is Possession Active and Credible Control By Player Fouled or by Teammate

13. What makes control “active and credible”? The First P is Possession Active and Credible Control By Player Fouled or by Teammate

14. The Four Ps Without POSSESSION None of the other Ps matter This is the FIRST decision

15. The First P = Possession Now add the second P POTENTIAL

16. Possession + Potential POTENTIAL is the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal

17. Possession + Potential Probability = likelihood POTENTIAL is the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal

18. Possession + Potential Immediate = no break in possession POTENTIAL is the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal

19. Possession + Potential Dangerous = possibility of success POTENTIAL is the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal

20. POTENTIAL the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal What is not included here? Violation slows up player long enough to permit more defense by opponents Violation forces continued play away from opponent’s goal

21. POTENTIAL the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal Two more Ps: PERSONNEL PROXIMITY These are not independent They assist in evaluating POTENTIAL

22. Possession + Potential PERSONNEL Refers to the number and skill of the attackers relative to the number and skill of the defenders at the time of or immediately following (2-3 seconds) the violation

23. Possession + Potential Having a “numbers” advantage over the defenders increases the potential PERSONNEL Refers to the number and skill of the attackers relative to the number and skill of the defenders at the time of or immediately following (2-3 seconds) the violation

24. Having a “skill” advantage over the defenders increases the potential (skill could refer to speed, agility, ball handling, strength, etc.) Possession + Potential PERSONNEL Refers to the number and skill of the attackers relative to the number and skill of the defenders at the time of or immediately following (2-3 seconds) the violation

25. Possession + Potential PROXIMITY Refers to the distance from the opponent’s goal Less distance (closeness) increases POTENTIAL

26. Distance could be defined purely in terms of yards or we could use the more traditional concept of “defensive third,” “middle third,” and “attacking third” Possession + Potential PROXIMITY Refers to the distance from the opponent’s goal Less distance (closeness) increases POTENTIAL

27. Direction of Attack Middle Third Defensive Third Attacking Third High Probability of Success Moderate Probability of Success Low Probability of Success

28. Direction of Attack Why is the penalty area marked differently? Middle Third Defensive Third Attacking Third High Probability of Success Moderate Probability of Success Low Probability of Success

29. POTENTIAL Outside the Penalty Area the probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on the opponent’s goal POTENTIAL Inside the Penalty Area Scoring a goal immediately (within a play) after the violation

30. The Four Ps 1 POSSESSION + 2 POTENTIAL Evaluated based on Personnel and Proximity 3 4

31. The Four Ps In deciding about POSSESSION and in evaluating POTENTIAL using PERSONNEL and PROXIMITY We need to consider the players, the teams, the game, and ourselves

32. Consider the Players: Skill Sophistication Experience

33. Consider the Team: Strategy Teamwork

34. Consider the Game: Timing Field Conditions Intensity (level of competition) “Temperature” (degree of feeling)

35. Consider Ourselves: Authority Control Personality

36. Potential is A feeling for how factors involving the players in/around the area of the incident, the effectiveness of the teams, the field conditions, and your own responsibility for game control all come together in an instant to support a decision to not stop play

37. The greatest danger in using advantage is The possibility of retaliation

38. REMEMBER WHAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED IS WHAT PLAYERS WILL TOLERATE

39. ALSO REMEMBER Applying advantage must not be automatic It must be the result of careful thought

40. Advice to Referees Every advantage incident is unique Advantage is a useful tool: It can give you an opportunity to adjust or readjust control Do not use advantage as an excuse for failing to act on the violation Do not fail to punish any misconduct associated with the violation

41. Advice to Referees Every advantage incident is unique Or to talk to or warn the offender if the action falls short of misconduct Advantage is a useful tool: It can give you an opportunity to adjust or readjust control Do not use advantage as an excuse for failing to act on the violation Do not fail to punish any misconduct associated with the violation

42. More Advice to Referees Consider carefully whether to apply advantage after a bad challenge – violence needs to be punished quickly and firmly Consider carefully whether to apply advantage if there is a high probability of retaliation Avoid being influenced (one way or the other) by appeals from players, team officials, or spectators

43. Final Advice to Referees Remember that advantage is not a gift from the referee … It is a decision by the referee not to take it away Advantage is not defined solely in terms of scoring a goal – it consists of continuing a credible, dangerous attack on goal … which may or may not be successful

44. SUMMARY 1 POSSESSION Control by Player or Team

45. SUMMARY 1 POSSESSION 2 POTENTIAL Ability to continue credible and dangerous attack

46. SUMMARY 1 POSSESSION 2 POTENTIAL 3 PERSONNEL Element of Potential Skill, Numbers, etc.

47. SUMMARY 1 POSSESSION 2 POTENTIAL 3 PERSONNEL 4 PROXIMITY Element of Potential Closeness to Goal