The Rational RefA balance between tit and tat
The physical elements of the game vary widely, depending on the culture of the competition in which players develop
Soccer, like rugby, hockey and basketball, is a contact sport where physical interaction between players is accepted as part of normal play. There has to be an element of give and take, or tit for tat.
The trouble is, tit and tat in soccer are never equal. This is why so many players, coaches, fans and commentators get so worked up over the argie-bargie nature of the game.
One player returns a little shove here by giving a more forceful push there, which is then reciprocated by an even harder body charge from his opponent, or maybe even an elbow or a kick, until fists fly.
Tit never equals tat, so how much physical contact between players is acceptable, or permitted? Welcome to an important grey area of soccer. One revealing aspect is always the players' perspective about what is and isn't acceptable. This has a lot to do with local culture and training methods embedded in the development of players, which in turn shapes the characteristics of a region's or country's playing style.
The British style has long been regarded as being highly physical. The Scottish Premier League and English Premier League epitomise this rough and tough characteristic and many home-grown players have come to accept physically bruising encounters as normal.
Up-and-coming young players such as Jack Wilshere and Jonjo Shelvey already have reputations as tough tacklers who can more than hold their own in physical challenges. This is generally how young British players are taught. Tit for tat, only tat is always greater.