SOCCER

Gamesmanship

 

The aim of this page is to show how the Referee - can identify and deal with Gamesmanship in the world of Football/Soccer. 

What exactly is Gamesmanship? 

Gamesmanship occurs when a player attempts to profit from an unfair advantage, or when he disguises an unjust act done on purpose; or when he commits any unsporting act executed in a sly way contrary to 'the spirit of the game'; or when he resorts to psychological intimidation against his opponent - these are just a few flavors of the sour forms of gamesmanship.  The ethos of sport should embody a simple way for people to keep themselves amused and healthy - sadly, modern sport is becoming increasingly reliant on business and financial survival, and less and less a 'sport' in the true sense of the word.

Sportsmanship has less and less importance in the world of professionalism; it is about winning at all costs. Winning has become almost as important as life - sometimes more so.

Footballers (and managers and coaches) have no qualms about introducing deceiving (or even fair) tactics that deviate from the rules and the spirit in which the game is supposed to be played in. It is more about succeeding in today's society and not so much about whether such acts are right or wrong. To succeed in any profession today, inevitably means bending the rules from time to time. 

The attitude of "I'll do anything to help my team win," can be seen in every game of senior football. Players who resort to gamesmanship, and are penalized by the Referee, should never bemoan that they have taken their chance, but have been caught out by an astute Referee. Players have become very adept at psyching up opponents by holding, shoving them, taunting them, tripping them, pulling shirts - and all done whilst the Referee is otherwise occupied. And how about the favorite goalkeepers' trick of raising a boot and one knee high when rushing out and jumping up to catch the ball. This gives a clear message to any attackers, to not to come anywhere near the goalkeeper when he is attempting this maneuver. Is this gamesmanship? Or is it cheating, and can Referee do anything about it? (Only if it is deemed to be dangerous play.)
This is just one subtle gamesmanship ploy in the players' armory of a thousand quivers. "Albeit that most Referees know the Laws of the Game inside out - players are just as adept at knowing how far to bend them."

Courtesy Julian Carosi