Protecting Keeper

[laffysoccermom]

My daughter is first year as primary keeper. I want to know what the rules are when the keeper has true possession in box.

She has been kicked repeatedly when she has had the ball securely and it has never been called. I always thought this was a foul and could be cardable.

I am not talking about people trying to avoid and kicking her. Luckily only one of these has caused injury. Unfortunately, it is a concussion- minor but still a concussion.

This was third time in this game it happened. Once when she was about to punt, another time in the stomach although that might have been accidental and finally in the head several seconds after she had covered the ball.

Want to know what rules are. Also would a state association look at report just to say watch a ref because he loses control of games. Just want someone to observe him and coach before someone gets seriously hurt.

In addition to this, a fist fight almost broke out on field and no cards were issued.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[happyjack]

Check your messages

[miraddydad]

I had a lengthy response prepared, then thought better if it. Short form - protection of the keeper is not aggressively enforced.

[laffysoccermom]

I am beginning to see that it is not a priority to protect them.

All refs- I will be the crazy mom hollering at you if she gets kicked again while in possession of the ball. Call the foul or send me off if you have to. I'm sure I'm going to be super nervous for a while.

This incident although mild scared me a lot. I'm going to let her keep going because it's her passion but I really want to bubble wrap her.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[happyjack]

There is a fallacynthatbeferees "protect" players...not possible. Referees are there to punish infringements of the laws, but we don't have the ability to stop play before a foul occurs. We can call a foul, punish for a foul, but pre foul calling is not available, even when we know it is coming. We can use our voices to try and stop it, but that is the extent.

[laffysoccermom]

I should have used different terminology. Should have said punish the foul. However in this case, punishing first fouls might have protected her from the last one.

It's over now. My dauhhter is almost fully recovered and I will have to work on getting my fear under control as she is ready to get back in there.

What does constitute a foul other than if it is called?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[vistajay]

laffysoccermom, that sounds like a rough game. My daughter is a HS goalie as well, but she has been lucky enough to avoid injury. She's a pretty physical, solidly built young lady, so she tends to be the one with the laws of physics on her side in the event of a collision. That said, if an opposing player were kicking at her while she was down and in clear possession of the ball, especially at her head, I would go crazy too. Here's to an injury-free season!

[laffysoccermom]

My daughter is fairly sturdy too. Other thsn getting bruises, this is her first real injury.

Honestly, the ref lost control from the first five minutes. I don't want to believe that what happened with my daughter was intentional but I think the tempers and lack of control contributed.

I think the tournament director was going to contact his association to suggest that he needed mentoring. I hope he gets it.

Thankfully my daughter seems not to be exhibiting any symptoms. She will probably be cleared in about a week.

Hopefully, I won't be too crazy at her next game.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[miraddydad]

Laffysoccermom - alcohol is your friend. Lol. Being the parent of a keeper is rough.

Happyjack, nobody expects a call in anticipation of a foul. However, making the calls on fouls committed early in the match will set the tone of what a ref will tolerate regarding players running over keepers, kicking at the ball on the ground while the keeper obviously has control, etc. Something I think that gets forgotten is that the keeper is considered to have control when any part of his/her hands or arms is in contact with the ball.

I have a lot of respect for what refs do and have to deal with, but it is a reality that the calls don't get made. In the last 5 years I've watched soccer all over the state in age groups through HS. I can count on one hand the times that players have even been cautioned for dangerous play involving the goalkeeper. I see, on average, at least one GK a year taken off the field with injuries resulting from dangerous play.

I know we'll have to agree to disagree on this matter, as this isn't the first time the conversation has come up. But when I see it, gotta comment. Not hating on refs. I know it's a tough job, and you couldn't pay me enough to do it. It's just an observation.

[laffysoccermom]

Mirraddydad-
Since my daughter goes to a private Christian school, alcohol would be frowned upon. However- maybe valium.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards