Question Number: 25288

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 8/7/2011

RE: Competitive Professional

Jones of , Ontario Canada asks...

Hi,

I wanted to ask about everything that referees should speak to the captains about during the coin toss other than the toss.

I usually ask them to make sure nobody is wearing jewellery.

Any other items that should be discussed?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Harris
The less said at this time the better. I simply greet the players, tell them any conditions particular to that match ie extra time, KFTPM, field conditions and then do the coin toss.
Also it is not up to the captain to ensure his team mates are not wearing jewellery. The referee or ARs should check the players in the equipment check to ensure that the players all conform to all the conditions of Law 4. That should be done along with all the other pre match matters well before kick off.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I agree with Ref McHugh - the less said at the coin toss the better. Introduce yourself, and your crew, mention any field issues or other conditions under which the game is to be played, toss the coin, get the decision by the winner, shake hands and move to get the game started.

EVERYTHING else, like checking in players if they have passes, and checking their playing equipment and rosters, walking the field, checking the ball(s), having your pregame with your ARs, etc. should all be done and finished within 5-10 minutes of start time at the latest.

Long discussions or instructions during the coin toss are ignored by teams, and generally cause more problems than they ever solve.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Harris. It's not the captains job to enforce Law 4 or any other Law: it's YOUR job. Other than 'hot enough for you', i rarely say anything to the captains at the coin toss. At lower age groups i may ask for questions or try to explain a point of Law. When i used to work most of the U16 and U19 girls local games i would occassionaly say 'did i do any weird referee stuff last game' but only because i knew the teams so well.
In general, unless there is something pertinent to that game, less said the better

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Harris:

As players get older, captains are true leaders. You want to learn their names (and if they aren't wearing a captains band, their numbers) so you can find and talk to them during the match. They can help you manage their players. They can help you read the temperature of the match. (They never laugh at my jokes, so I've stopped telling them.)

You want to shake hands with them and wish them good luck.