Question Number: 28452

Appearance 5/22/2014

RE: all Other

Mike Monce of Lebanon, CT USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 28421

Not a question but a followup on how to educate parents in the LOTG. If I am an AR on the parents side, and a call is questioned, at a stoppage I respond to the parents in a very friendly manner and explain the call. I've found this works very well, and the parents often respond positively. Of course if the call is questioned in a belligerent and insulting manner, then it is brought to the CR's attention.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A problem is that the AR who is too involved with the spectators becomes their 'friend'. Then when something else happens, the fans expect their 'friend' to support their point of view. Or the other side begins to think that the AR is biased.

Be careful of perceptions, because they are reality to the ones perceiving them.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Be very careful with this approach. It will work at younger age groups in friendly games but I advise assistants that they need to continue to be switched on at stoppages as players can use that time to commit misconduct. Player focus moves from the play when the ball is out of play which can allow incidents to occur.
At higher levels the AR should be facing play at all times and not engaging with those behind them. If the referee comes over to ask what happened at some incident and the AR is talking to spectators that is not much help.