Based on information from Dr. Don Wilbur and Jaimie- Lyn Beaty

Based on information from Dr. Don Wilbur and Jaimie- Lyn Beaty

This is not an discussion of politics or social justice. This is not a discussion on #metoo. Soccer is a game played by men and women. There are differences in men and women soccer players. We will explore some of those differences and talk about being a referee in a woman s soccer match.

US Women s Team 3 World Cup Championships since 1991 4 Olympic Gold medals 7 CONCACAF Gold Cups US Men s Team? First World Cup in 1930 How many World Cup Championships?

It is a style difference generated from a gender difference. No one wants to be coddled. Everyone playing the game is an athlete. Just an athlete with a different style. -Kari Seitz, FIFA Referee

Dif-fer-ent / dif(ə)rent/ adjective 1. not the same as another. 2. distinct separate.

DIFFERENT WRONG

Same Game: Field 17 Laws 22 players 1 ball Different Elements: Emotional social factor Physical Style

Generally: Female players accept the Referee s decision. They commit fewer fouls, fewer cards and fewer ejection s. Male players habitually contest the referee s decision and create discipline problems. More cards.

Women develop strong interpersonal relationships. Players become teammates. Teammates become close friends. Teams participate in off-field team bonding exercises. Can t have successful women s team if you don t have a bond. The way women play the game reflects this. Players demonstrate genuine concern for teammates.

Men Current state of mind Retaliation Immediate Personal Restore honor Women Long memory Retaliation Can be delayed Social Bonding

Men How quickly do you get over a situation? Foul Quick outburst hit/retaliation Shake hands and get over it Action helps vent/release Women Time Verbalize

Height Weight Muscle Mass Bone Mass Physical Structure of Player Distance across the shoulders Width of hips Trunk length Center of gravity - balance Leg length Knee, hip joints Quick rotary movements Buoyancy air/off ground

Men external/extrinsic External reward Praise, fame From outside individual Failure Bad luck, referee, weather Shouting instruction Accept hierarchy Women Intrinsic/internal Internalize, analyze their actions Failure is internalized Positive reinforcement No public criticism Quiet word Social structure

Men s Game Fancy dribbling Long passes Pressing, pushing Expressions Grunting Appearance Game face Women s Game More technical Pivots Short passes Building attack Appearance Earrings during pre-game

Men Faster paced More banging/contact More holding/grabbing More fouls Fouls in lower half of body Legs, ankles, feet Long balls Handling more obvious Women Slower Fewer fouls Running style Arms extended May result in calls of more handling

Men Physical game; hard fouls Men retaliate for hard fouls immediately. Take notice of who fouls and remember. Same player that was fouled is usually the one that retaliates. Persistent infringement. Women Usually tactical Hip checks A hard foul against a teammate is an attack against the team. Take notice of who fouls and who is fouled. Teammate may retaliate. Long memory, delayed retaliation for rough treatment.

Men Quick retaliation More drama Show emotions quick More vocal to opponent Direct comments at referee - dissent Women Less vocal Place ball for restart. May not see quick emotion (they may wait) Positive comments for teammate.

Women Less vocal Less dissent. Quiet sarcastic remarks, indirect. Apologetic for non-tactical fouls. Apologize to referee. Less shouting among female players. When women vocalize on the field Who gets the last word in your relationship at home?

Unless serious, men watch or get water. Women feel the fouls against teammates. Defender will come from back field to help forward. How many woman teammates gather for injury?

Dilemma for referee: women like to be able to play physically but dislike rough tactics. Women respond differently to male referees than female referees. May look down. Do not like to be disciplined by another female. In female culture the worst is to ignore. As referee, listen

Men Tight-lipped Stern voice and posture Closed gestures Body Space More Women Open and Receptive body language Avoid loud admonishments Listen Body Space Less

Interacting with players Every play does not require comment. When you do Keep comments short and limited to performance on the field. Women players are focused. Allow them to stay focused. They do not want to be distracted during play by conversation. If you would not say it to a male athlete, do not say it to a female athlete.

Pre-game Consider which gender you are refereeing and what that entails. Discuss tactics with your partner or crew that will help you deal with gender issues on the field. Should you move about field differently? How do you prepare for long ball passes? How position yourself for a passing game? How close to play during physical match? How do you anticipate will you anticipate?

Women s team coach Want the game called the same as the men s game however expectations of less contact. Insulted by having game officiated differently call the fouls. Want officials to be sensitive toward the players no yelling. Men s team coach Want us to allow the game to flow. Looking for more advantage. That was not a foul! Let them play! This is not a women s game!

I like women s soccer more. It is pure. It is all about the game. -Mr. Fran Kulas, Villanova Women s Soccer Coach