Question Number: 18949

Character, Attitude and Control 5/1/2008

RE: Tier 2 Adult

Brian of Bedford, Nova Scotia Canada asks...

Hi, I am new to being a referee this year and am looking forward to it. I became a referee for a couple of reasons, one we seem to have a shortage of refs in the lower skills area such as Tier 2B and Houseleague (at times no ref will show) and I also got really tired of parents yelling stuff from the sidelines which was wrong (although for that I just downloaded the LOTG, read them and tried to politely correct them first - but I know as a ref I can't instruct them during the game). I was very surprised to learn how many of the things I hear parents yell were false such as playing the ball from the ground being illegal. Speaking with other refs I discovered the two most commonly misunderstood things here are offside and how to perform a legal slide tackle.

But on to my questions. I have a few questions based on things I've seen in the past and that I expect to see going forward this year and would like your take on (BTW - I do enjoy this site as I've continued to learn beyond the course).

1)If a player walks the handshake line at the end of the game, refusing to shake hands with any players, only the ref and coaching staff - would I be wrong in recording a caution for USB (I say No as we have not left the field and it appears to me to be blatant USB offence).

2)If a coach belittles his team in a large voice when they make an error on the field - sometimes to the point of making them cry (these are younger kids) - would I be wrong in asking him to keep his comments to players on the field to a tactical nature (this one concerns me as I believe it's poor coaching but I can't be concerned with what he says softly off field - but yelling so parents etc can hear to me is against the spirit of the game - especially at this young level - but I can't tell him how to coach/motivate his own players)

3)I read (and sorry, I can't remember where) that when a coach or fan (parent) becomes a problem, the ref can call the captain of the offending team over and instruct them to talk to the coach or parent and explain that if the offending behaviour does not cease then the ref could exercise their right to abandon the match. Now I look at this based on age level. If I was dealing with 17 or 18 year olds, I see no problem and do not believe that it lowers my authority by having them do it but obviously a 12 year old addressing an unrulely parent is a little obsurb (although I think the parent would look like a dope and feel like crap having little Timmy telling him to behave or they have to go home). Is this the case or does it only carry weight if I as the CR relay the message.

4)Finally (and this is the one that I'm struggling with right now) the concept of acceptable "contact" when challenging for the ball. I fully understand the shoulder on shoulder concept and agree with it. I also read on here your views on what is "acceptable" between the two players at the time and taking into account age, skill level etc. I see more and more challenging and "pushing" with the forearm region (arm raised and cocked at a 90 degree angle) to continue to sheild the ball as they fight for it. Now I see this being taught and unfortunately I see the kids on the field go to far and the 90 degree turns to 45 and then to a straight arm but little whistles and cards. If, for example, I see two people challenging for the ball, arms up in the 90 degree and it appears to be getting more physical and one kid goes down because of it - would I be too lax in whistling, explaining you cannot use your forearm (perhaps just saying loudly SHOULDER TO SHOULDER CONTACT ONLY PLEASE) and awarding the direct kick (playing it as careless, no card but I got the loud verbal indication that I don't want to see this again out there). I want to keep the game moving, have fun but don't want to start arguments about "I learned this was good from my coach etc etc etc"

Thanks for your insight and tell me if I'm wrong - I'm already thickskinned so any sarcasm will be fine =) Again I do like this site and I also use it as refresher questions to see if my mind is thinking the right way and personally hope I don't need to post more questions but I know I will - if only to learn more.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Congratulations for joining the Dark Side. Refereeing can be a rewarding pursuit, and a way to give back to the game.

1) You wouldn't be wrong to caution. You just need to ask yourself if it was necessary. It might be just as valuable to point out the kid to his coach (assuming the coach doesn't share the sentiments).

2) A coach has only one duty listed in the Laws of the Game - to behave in a responsible manner while giving tactical instructions to the team. Is yelling at the kids to make them cry responsible behavior?

3) Talk to the coach directly; don't make a little kid or even a teen-ager intervene. The coach may be dismissed for irresponsible behavior, or may be formally warned that his behavior will be reported (similar to a player's caution). Parents are addressed through the coach - you simply tell the coach that unless they stop misbehaving, or if it's bad enough that unless the offender leaves, the game will not continue. And then be prepared to terminate the game if things don't improve.

4) This can only be learned through experience. We generally tell newer refs to call everything, and gradually they will begin to recognize the things that don't have to be called. You learn to talk with the players, encouraging them out of committing fouls rather than blowing your whistle for the foul. Tell both players who are mugging each other to knock it off.

Thanks for your support of our efforts to educate and entertain.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Shaking hands is not always a good idea when tempers are perilously close to danger levels. I appreciate the sporting gesture but mandatory sportsmanship is asking for trouble. Spitting on the hands and claiming it was sweat, try and prove otherwise unless you see it done or it was still in gob form. Those that want too and display positive traits by all means encourage them. It is not required in law and a USB for refusing to shake hands is certainly not a required caution.

Even those of us well intentioned can act or appear to be out of sorts and coaches who belittle their players are doing the players and themselves no favours. Sometimes we need a reminder to calm the blank down; it is a game and is meant to be fun! A referee is responsible for the welfare of the players and sometimes a quiet word will have the desired effect. Ongoing abuse as in a coach smacking a player across the head with the clip board was an immediate ejection with a lawsuit following close behind!


While I like to use captains to instil ethical behaviour or get the word across to the players I agree far better to ask the coach to please control a touchline. I expect the coaches to act responsible and trust them to help out. I do not necessarily hold them directly responsible as the choice to act idiotically is a free one but I will record a refusal to do anything positive as irresponsible. WE can abandon a match due to spectator interference but it is a decision that has far reaching consequences I can assure you!

I have endured verbal crap from spectators too long at times, admittedly after overhearing a player comment on her berating parents wishing they would stop their infernal whining and screaming. I called her over and whispered in her ear while I removed a yellow card from my book and surreptitiously stuck it in her hand. She smiled and went over to them handing them the card saying this was a warning for them to behave better or they would have to leave. The card was the best one I had ever shown in my opinion so to lose it was fine by me! Mom was red faced and Dad tight lipped for the rest of the match but it was a priceless moment.

Football is referred to as a contact sport as to what degree fair play is allowed to be shaken or stirred bent or broken will reflect the tolerance of the players and the acceptance of the referee. Experience be it your own or gleaned from others is ongoing and ever changing. Most referees when starting out are more afraid of making a mistake then doing things right and will hesitate to blow in contact situations but blow every incorrect throw in as if it was a matter of life and death.

Things that are easily managed and easily seen lend confidence so the whistle sounds to demonstrate you SAW it and the law says so and so.
Player or man management is really a reflection of ones character Foul recognition will come. It is as much art as science to officiate well. Referees require a thick skin, strong backbone with integrity and compassion and patience to achieve wisdom and understanding that we see a match as neutral with no result as important where those who play or watch that result is often everything. Emotion and passion are always lurking on the peripheral of chaos and destruction as they are grounded in enjoyment and satisfaction.

The level of trifling, understanding doubtful and the bendable or malleable part of the laws is something that only time can bring you as each decision, each match sets in motion your reputation.

Post game review, video and peer and assessments so ongoing monitoring is only effective if there is follow up. Ask for training, seek mentoring stay fit, really study and know the laws and their subsequent restarts. Learn the importance of the ARs and how communication is only as good as the three of you make it!
May the force be with you my young apprentice!
Cheers

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