Question Number: 20605

Law 5 - The Referee 11/29/2008

RE: Select Under 13

Reza Taheri of San Jose, Ca United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20589

First of all, thanks a lot to referees Michelle, Keith, and Richard for taking the time to answer my question. You raised a few questions that I will try to answer here.

My question was specifically: whether telling my player to hold her line instead of going back 10 yards to fetch the ball for the other team is Unsporting Behavior. As for my diatribe and behavior before that, I was quiet for 2.5 games despite not liking the way the referee was conducting himself (in regards to calls made for both teams). I lost it on a horrible call, had an exchange with him, received a yellow card that was well within his prerogative, then sat down quietly until the ball-fetch incident. I believe a coach should not gain an advantage by getting ejected. Adding time to the game to compensate for my walk around the field was fair even against the tournament rules. But to drag it on for 5' 20' to compensate for a 1-minute walk felt like pay back. But again, that's all peripheral stuff. The question was regarding the Unsporting Behavior decision.

As to the referee being a 'field condition', I couldn't agree more. I tell my players that the ref is like the goal post. When the goal post denies you a goal, you don't stand there and curse it. You move on. So, don't argue with the referee if he makes a bad decision. You just got unlucky. Move on.

I absolutely agree with the Richard regarding the kids being affected by the coach's argument with a ref. Lesson for you younger coaches out there: the moment you dispute a call by the referee by screaming, your team's focus goes down by a notch. It was dumb of me to lose it and dispute the original call, as horrible as it was. A game in which we were the better team tuned into an evenly played game after I received a caution. After my ejection, it turned into a one-way affair with the other team in our half for about 6 minutes.

You all mention the proper channels to raise the issue of this referee's competence. He got into arguments with several other coaches (including the other coach in the match where I was ejected). Another coach tells me if I write a complaint letter, he will write a supporting one. This is not coaches ganging up against some poor referee because they lost a game. I honestly think our young players will benefit from this referee getting re-educated. I just don't know how much hassle and trouble I'll get myself into if I speak up. The fact that I was ejected will immediately cast me as an out-of-control coach (as evidenced by some of your comments!) and make a complaint sound like sour grapes.

Thanks again,
Reza

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Try not thinking of disagreement as complaining but rather as
resolving a problem.

It is more important to FIX it then to point fingers of blame!

Referees are often maligned unfairly far more than praised but if coaching and I recognize the referee is above his head, lacks effort or understanding I will document and report the deficiencies to those who are in positions to do something to affect a positive change. A rant on paper is still a rant. A well thought out explanation of the issues requires less emotional rhetoric and a factual account of specific things.


A horrible call explanation does nothing to enlighten ones perspective of just what happened.


I called a PK in a 1 -1 tie with three minutes left. The coach went ballistic, the players complained I was responsible for their plight by making a horrible decision.
I saw the defender clip the outside ankle of the attacker from less than ten yards away as he slid for the ball which was also contacted after the ankle was removed from the path. It was a not a complete wiping out of an opponent but it was sufficient. I saw the contact. I heard the cry from the contact. I saw the result. I made a decision, the fact the coach and the team felt it was a *horrible* decision does not change that decision, my mind or the result!

We often reiterate a referee with integrity sees what he sees even if others see it different. The attitudes and perceptions colour the vision in that coaches see what they want, players see what they feel, spectators see what they think.

A referee with integrity who is fit, works hard to find position and angles, understands the mechanics, communicates with his ARs and interacts well with players sees even better as his experience and foul recognition are a metamorphosis into a better well rounded observational official!


As to what is USB? A coach acting responsibly is a value judgment and the referee controls the limits of application. Whether the referee understands or uses common sense or not, deliberately or inadvertently misuses it or simply has a low tolerance for what you say at that specific moment. It could be an accumulation of events or comments; it could be a sarcastic inflection perceived or real or the sound of one hand clapping in disrespect. Ego and a Hitler complex with control issues or a profound humiliation, sadness and a lack of self esteem due to the useless babble of touchline criticism.

Relaying tactical information should not in my opinon be construed as direspect or flaunting the decision of the referee. Mind you the tone and inflection of the comment can rankle even if the words convey a different meaning.

You are correct, sour grapes is often the only real energy in most complaints. To effectively make a difference you require patience and understanding that not every referee is a perfect creature of sensibilities and effort. We are a mixed lot with many flaws as well as perks given our experience and understanding on the learning curve. If the referee has issues only leagues with EFFECTIVE monitoring and assessment procedures will be able to isolate and fix the problems with proper training, mentoring and if required discipline.

While I would be happy to come to your association to instruct and educate all participants in effective communication and conflict resolution, time, money and distance make it difficult. I suggest you organize within your membership a leadership group that focuses on effective consultation and advisement to isolate and resolve the problems with individuals, team and the game itself but equally important acknowledge the good of all who are working to that end.

A referee who is in conflict with coaches will hold onto the view that coaches are unfair more so than they have a right to disagree. And one bad experience taints the next so less tolerance instead of more becomes the way to defend ones self from attack.

Learning to agree to disagree does not come easy to those engaged in finger pointing instead of fact finding. Perception and reality are the same sides of a two headed truth coin when those involved have difficulty in separating need, self interest and common goals for the sake of our youth. I can handle being wrong or making a mistake that is being human, it is in knowing something to be true but it isn't that gets me.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Reza and thanks for getting back to us. I'm still puzzled. Are you saying this tournament allowed referees to caution COACHES for USB or was your player guilty of USB for following your commands? In any case, in my opinion, your telling your player to leave the ball didn't warrant any action by the referee.It's certainly not USB if a defending player doesn't retrieve the ball. In fact, when I'm refereeing younger games I often cringe when they do because then they've often put themselves at a disadvantage by getting the ball for the attackers who may now proceed to restart. I understand you kept quiet for 2 1/2 games and I understand you felt there was a horrible call, but you still should have kept quiet, which you acknowledge. I would absolutely write a letter and get all the coaches you can to write with you. Keep to the facts especially if there were breeches of the Law by the referee. Obviously, the referee saw things differently than you did but a well written, non-emotional letter may get this referee assessed.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 20618