Question Number: 14180

Character, Attitude and Control 10/18/2006

RE: District; USSCF & AYSO Qualified Under 11

Patrick L. Keller of Albuquerque, New Mexico USA asks...

Although I have referee-ed at higher levels, my "comfort zone" is normally U14 Boys/Girls and below. Recently, a U10 Girls Club "Professional" Coach exploded at me in the latter part of the 2nd half of a soccer game, yelling out loud that his girls had been playing "Off-side Traps" for the whole game, and I had not made any "Off-side" calls in their favor. I spoke with two of his players after the game, and it appears that the Coach in question had brought in another "Professional" person, to teach the girls how to set "Off-side Traps." I did not explain to the Coach the difference between being "Off-side" and being in an "Off-side Position." I feel that perhaps I could have handled this "yelling" by the Coach in a better manner than ignoring his outburst. Could you please provide some tips / hints /recommendations on how to handle similiar situations in the future? Thanks in advance for taking the time to consider my predicament; I have been referee-ing for only two years, and new situations appear almost every weekend.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Usually we file these tips in the Character, Attitude and Control section of the data base. We have written hundreds of tips for referees in dealing with coaches. Have a look there, by entering the topic " Character, Attitude and Control " in the Search Q@A block, and see if anything is useful. If we need to expand on something feel free to ask for amplification of a specific question number.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Coaches are to act responsibly. Give him a warning and send him on his way. Putting up with that is going to cause you larger problems.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Is this coach "Professional" jerk? When he started screaming at you should have let this pro spend the rest of the game in the parking lot. No warning from me if he exploded. Never yell back at him.