1. Above the Shoulder U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 7 Referee Course Amateur Adult Training

2. Importance • Player safety is key • Increased frequency • Speed • Physicality • Severity

3. Indicators • FIRE • Frustration • Intimidation • Retaliation • Establishing position

4. Tool vs. Weapon

5. Tool • Used for balance • Normal body movement • Not moved toward opponent • In position before contact is made • Jumping with arm making contact • Jumps up • Not jumping up and into opponent • Foul and misconduct

6. Weapon • Used with excessive force • Swung toward an opponent • Makes contact with soft surface • Face or neck • Jumping with arm making contact • Jumps up and into opponent • Leads with the arm • Red card

7. Evaluation • Did the player jump up and into the opponent? • Did the player lead with the arm? • Did the player move the arm toward the opponent? • Was the safety of the opponent endangered? • What was the result of the contact? • Was excessive force used?

8. Focus • Contact during the run of play • Attacker relieving pressure • Defender impeding attacker • Aerial • Restarts and free kicks • Off the ball • Mass confrontation • VC

9. Aerial Challenges • Increased frequency • Clearances • Long balls • Free kicks • Restarts • Players • Speed • Strength

10. Review Question • What type of challenges most frequently involve contact above the shoulder? • Aerial • Tactical • Excessive force • Tackles from behind

11. Review Question • Is the arm considered being used as a weapon if a player jumps up and into an opponent or leads with an extended arm? • Yes • No

12. Review Question • Does using the arm as a tool mean that the player should always receive a yellow card? • Yes • No

13. Review Question • Does using the arm as a weapon mean that the player should always be issued a red card? • Yes • No