Question Number: 15235

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 4/21/2007

RE: Rec/Select/Competitive Under 17

Rob Voss of Naperville, IL USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12745

Re: the player handling the ball on the AR's flag- [12745] we must keep in mind that the AR in using their flag, is signaling the Center Referee, not the players or the spectators. With regard to the problem with the coach, there is an on-going problem with many coaches, particularly those whose team is lesser skilled or being out-played by their opponent, to turn their attention to the officiating & try to coach the referee(s) to gain an advantage. In my experience as a referee, unfortunately tolerating such verbal outbursts exabbeates difficulties- specatators & players often take their lead from their coaches- referees must at least politely pause the match & warn coaches at the very first instance of verbal dissent, otherwise it escalates. If it escalates, it makes it even more difficult to call a good match as the distraction makes it hard to focus on the fast-paced fouls, infringements, rapid decisions, judgements & other nuances of the game that require a ref's full attention. In my experience, the best matches are played with coaches who only rarely shout anything at their players (or anyone else) & with parents/spectators who respect the game enough to simply sit & watch & cheer over the positive events of the match. Those coaches & parents who continually shout at the refs & players are wasting everyone's time & teaching young players to disrepect authority.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Good comments re Q#12745. Thanks for reading through our site.