Question Number: 12093

Character, Attitude and Control 1/23/2006

RE: III Adult

Dan of London , Ontario Canada asks...

Regarding practical tips on clarifying player roles, coach’s roles and the role of the referee in your pregame instructions.
I belive we neglect to use the rules on the Technical area to our advantage !

What good is it to talk to the two captains and then send instructions to the coaches?

I have made it a habit to speak to both coaches before the game and remind them of their specific role wherein they must behave in a responsible manner. They are authorized to convey tactical instructions, which means they may coach their players, but they are not to be allow to comment on my role as a ref.
After all, they coach and I ref.
Now I call the captains to center and go over it again reminding the players that they are players and as such their role is to play the game, not ref or comment on my refereeing.


Therefore use the rules as outlined in the section known as The Technical Area!

The Coach may convey tactical instructions
The Coach and other occupants of the technical area must behave in a
Responsible manner.

Ok, so tactical instructions means coaching, it does not mean you can question a referee's call, or an assistant’s call.
Responsible manner means, good behaviour within the spirit of the game, Fair play.

Never, never, never, should we allow a coach or player question our calls.
The rules are clear, just enforce them.

How would you do it effectively?

You do it before the game, you remind the coach that he may coach and the players may play. Let us do the referee work.
Remind the players on the bench and the coach that this is what you expect from the interpretation of the rules acting in a responsible manner and what is meant by giving tactical instructions.
"Coach now that we are clear on what is meant by acting in a responsible manner, please consider this your only warning.
If I have to come and talk you about your behaviour I will dismiss you" immeadiately
without a second chance.

"The Laws of the Game were not written to compensate for the mistakes made by players or coaches."

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Oh you are a tough cookie? LOL! It is Great that a referee has backbone, for without one no referee can face the barrage of emotional, passionate discourse for too long without an armored shell of rhino skin! LOL!. The laws of the game provide the referee with the needed tools to ensure the match is played in a fair and ethical manner! Firm and Fair just not godlike or over officious.
What is meant is interpreted by how it is said. If delivered in the manner and tone of civility I think we are close in our approach but just wanted to point a few things out that may help out in not setting us in an adversarial position.

That said be wary of the word NEVER and be very aware of the word COMPASSION.

As a referee the needs of a match are far different than a coach or player. The outcome, the desire for victory come at an emotional price.

You are 100% correct the game demands responsible behavior but how reasonable are you when you or someone or something is threatened or lost? I fully understand there is a limit to what is ultimately acceptable and what is not, but passion and heartfelt dismay at perceived injustice or a truly missed call on our part our Rhino shells should be able to deflect some flak from those who will NEVER see the game as we do! Oops! there is that word (never)again.

Speaking as a coach for the moment, I really do not appreciate a lecture on ethical behavior from a referee nor a long harangue on what he thinks about soccer. I prefer a warm smile and firm handshake. Hi I am the referee for today's match. These are my Ar's! If you have ANY concerns during the match as coach please table them for discussion after the match, address them only to me, my Ar's are off limit to ANY confrontation! Would you like me to speak to the players about anything? Substitute procedures? advantage, 10 yards offside, play to the whistle? No, OK ! Do you have any questions ? No, OK! Have a a good game!

I can not say I like ultimatums I prefer to convey possibilities. I also talk very little as to generalities, now specific things like a tournament rule change but most often at the coin toss "Hi Guys I am fair but not perfect, easy to talk too if you are polite and set the example for your teammates and coach." I generally go over specific rule aberrations if tournament substitution and introduce my Ar's and look them straight in the eye "My Ar's are untouchable during a match you bring all comments to me only, in an appropriate fashion at an appropriate time! Any questions? Great! Play fair, Respect 10 yards Play the whistle at all times! Enjoy the game and have fun!"

Do not misunderstand I like a proactive referee setting the acceptable boundaries just be cautious of imposing them in a fashion that could needlessly create confrontation rather than prevent it.

As a coach I know my obligations and responsibilities, as a referee get the calls right to protect my players . If I see a referee displaying effort and even a rudimentary knowledge of the game I can easily agree to disagree for the good of the game no matter how upset I might be. If I get pushed into my technical corner simply for a referee to demonstrate his power I remain very unimpressed. Standing firm is not the same as boxing in options.

While the laws were not meant to compensate mistakes they are bendable to allow errors in judgment to be fixed. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

London, you have to do what you have to do, but your approach doesn't work for me. I applaud your attitude but think you come off a bit harsh. I likewise have little patience with problem coaches but don't feel I should lecture them before a game. I have plenty of time and opportunity to address bad behavior if it starts but don't want to set out expecting it and I think that's the attitude you present. But, we all are different in our approaches and I hope yours works.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

There can be more than one right answer in "managing" players and coaches. If this method works for you then great and sharing it with others to consider is commendable on your part. I would echo, however, the comment above that it would not work for me BUT each of us is different and we should use what is most effective for us. All the best,