Mass Confrontation
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee ProgramGrade 7 Referee CourseAmateur Adult Training
Game Disreputeo Minimum of 1 player from each teamo Aggressive behavioroProvocation
o Directed toward officials or playerso Dead ball situationso Can lead to mass confrontation
Mass Confrontationo 3 or more players in totalo Aggressive behavioro IntimidationoPhysical contactoPotential for misconduct
o Directed toward officials or playerso To prevent Mass Confrontation – be the third
person in!
Responsibilityo Be preparedoDiscuss in pre-game conference
o Recognize warning signsoSafetyoLocationoPlaymakers
o Intervene and defuseoAct quickly to avoid further escalation
Warning Signso Severity of foulo Area of contacto Skill level of player fouledo Scoreo Challenges off the ballo Situations when players are on groundo Goalkeeper collisionso Set pieces
Managemento Be preparedo Recognize and act quicklyo Triangle of controlo Observe and recordo Issue misconduct as neededo Restart gameo Include details in game report
Review Questiono Which of the following best describes game
disrepute?
o At least one player from each team adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials
o At least three players from each team adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials
Review Questiono How many players are involved when
describing mass confrontation?
o At least one from each teamo At least three regardless of which team they
are from
Review Questiono Should referees avoid discussing game
disrepute and mass confrontation in the pre-game conference?
o Yeso No
Review Questiono Should officials recognize the warning signs
of game disrepute and mass confrontation and attempt to deal with these proactively?
o Yeso No