7 Essential Tips for Soccer Referees to Differentiate Between SPA and DOGSO

August 23, 2023

Soccer referees must accurately distinguish between Stopping a Promising Attack (SPA) and Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) to maintain fairness and integrity in the game.

Here's how to quickly determine if the situation is a DOGSO, an SPA, or neither.

1: Understand the Definitions:

SPA refers to actions that prevent an attack with clear potential.

Stopping a Promising Attack is about identifying plays where an attacking opportunity with clear potential is halted through an offense. For instance, if a defender commits a foul when an attacker is progressing towards goal with limited opposition, it may be deemed SPA.

Being precise in identifying such instances ensures that the correct sanctions are applied.

DOGSO, on the other hand, is about denying a near-certain goal.

Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity means recognizing when an offense prevents a nearly guaranteed goal. For example, if a defender fouls an attacker who is clear on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, it's typically DOGSO.

Correctly identifying DOGSO is essential to maintaining the integrity of the game.

2: Positioning and Awareness

Proper positioning helps in making the correct judgment between SPA and DOGSO.

Being in the right place at the right time allows referees to see the play clearly. Adopting a side-on position or using the diagonal system can help in evaluating the context of the play, such as if a defender commits a foul during a breakaway.

Good positioning is fundamental to accurate decision-making.

3: Teamwork and Communication

Effective teamwork among officials is vital to differentiate between SPA and DOGSO.

Referees should communicate clearly with assistant referees to gather different perspectives on a play. This collaboration can include utilizing technology or having brief discussions to understand the nature of the offense, such as the distance to the goal and the direction of the play.

Strong teamwork ensures a comprehensive assessment of the situation.

4: Application of Laws

Applying the Laws of the Game accurately helps in differentiating SPA from DOGSO.

Understanding and applying Law 12 regarding fouls and misconduct is essential. Referees must consider factors like the distance between the offense and the goal, the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, and the location and number of defenders.

Accurate application of laws leads to fair and consistent decisions.

5: Continuous Learning and Development

Ongoing education and development are key to mastering the differentiation between SPA and DOGSO.

Referees should engage in continuous learning through workshops, videos, and mentorship to hone their understanding of SPA and DOGSO. Analyzing real-life scenarios, such as reviewing specific game situations, can foster deeper comprehension.

Commitment to growth enhances overall officiating quality.

6: Trusting Instincts

Trusting one's instincts plays a crucial role in distinguishing between SPA and DOGSO.

Referees should rely on their experience and instincts to make split-second decisions. Trusting gut feelings, based on comprehensive training and understanding of the game, aids in making the correct call in challenging situations.

Instincts, when well-informed, result in confident and correct decisions.

7: Emotional Management

Managing emotions is essential in the delicate task of differentiating SPA from DOGSO.

Pressure situations can lead to emotional decisions. Referees must remain calm and focused to objectively assess whether an offense constitutes SPA or DOGSO, considering factors like player reactions and crowd influence.

Emotional intelligence contributes to balanced and fair judgments.

Embrace these essential tips to sharpen your ability to differentiate between SPA and DOGSO. Your pursuit of excellence in refereeing not only enhances your professional growth but also uplifts the beautiful game of soccer.

Bonus tip: Grassroots Perspective

Insights from referees at various levels provide a nuanced understanding of differentiating between SPA and DOGSO.

For some grass roots referees, situations with unclear direction, far distance to goal (20-25 yards), and a reasonable chance for defenders to recover usually lead to a SPA decision. They emphasize the importance of considering factors such as direction, distance, and defender proximity.

A common adage shared by grassroot referees is, "If you have to question if it’s DOGSO or not, it’s not." Erring on the side of SPA when unsure and without the benefit of replay/VAR is often advised.

Other referees said they analyze the situation thoroughly, considering control, general direction towards goal, number of defenders, and even the nature of the foul. They believe that one can argue for either SPA or DOGSO, depending on the match context and the nature of the foul. A minor foul in a calm game may lead to a SPA decision.

And other grass root referees emphasize the importance of criteria, general direction of play, and match expectations. One referee mentioned that he leans towards SPA unless there's compelling evidence for DOGSO, as a yellow card may fulfill the spirit of the game's expectations without major complaints from either team.

The grassroot perspective enriches the decision-making process with real-world experience and practical wisdom.

Embrace the shared wisdom from referees around the world. Their collective insights not only provide practical guidance but also foster a community of continuous learning and growth within the beautiful game of soccer.

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