Question Number: 14379

Character, Attitude and Control 11/6/2006

RE: Premier Under 16

Yuval of Calgary, Alberta Canada asks...

As a player for over 27 years and coach for over 6 I have learned that its best to keep you cool in games. I mean its an emotional game but you have to keep a lid on it.
How do you deal with a ref who has lost his temper and is unapproachable?

I believe in the need for calm dialoge between coach and ref. I recently ran into a situation where I could get no clarification of calls made due to the ref losing his cool. He kept screaming and flayling his arms all over the place. It was a 1-0 game but not champions league type pressure.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee does not have to explain his calls to you. He can if he wants, but if he does he is doing you a huge favor. He has enough to worry about during game. This is NOT the NFL. Referees do not need to announce calls and run over to you and tell you why a call was made.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

First thing when anyone comes unpuckered is don't approach. Usually there is no need for an explanation of what happened, there are only a few things that can go wrong and the player involved KNOWS what he did. As a player you knew didn't you. Best thing a coach can do is take notes so things that didn't work in this game can be ironed out in the training sessions before the next match.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Don't approach the referee. Your job, as the coach was essentially done when you ended the practise before the game. During the match, your only communication is with your players -- and only to the extent of refining some things your are seeing develop there at the game with your opponent (i.e. tactical). The referee is a match condition just as the weather. If it's windy and rainy, you change (adapt) your game to meet that challenge. So too, must you adapt to the referee. Just as you'd prefer not to play during a windy rain storm, you probably would rather not have to deal with a referee in a bad mood. Oh well....You can't calm the storm. You accept this and don't even try. Nor can you calm the referee -- this must also be accepted and therefore you wouldn't even consider trying as well.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Those who monitor and train referees can intercede when problems arise. The reality is, calm dialogue is not always possible during the match. No matter how sedate an individual you are that does not prevent others from being what they choose!

No matter how well meaning your intentions and how you think fair is fair; My advise is to steer clear of the referee he will only lose further focus standing in the glare of controversy. SOME referees are approachable SOME of the time> The timing, tone and disposition of the referee willing to engage is an invidual characteristic.

Pressure is relative to the amount of discomfort one can endure
People like to show off what they know or think they know. People also tend to justify controversy by confrontion as the appearance of rightousness preens brightly.

It is called opinon.

I speak of the horrors of war in Iraq and the fermentation of ugliness in the middle east yet on the pitch we find enough animosity to vent upon the referee doing a kids match on a sunday afternoon?

Not to poke fun but seriously if a referee is acting goofy, to point it out, emulate it, tease it or engage it who be foolish now?
Referees are not unflapple and as a single entity among the players coaches and fans all wrath, rage, injustice, hopes, dreams and aspirations are directed towards him by those who seek to find fault and blame for a result that should not be his concern!

You are correct we COULD be on the same side, even when we disagree, we could agree to disagree and move on. The choice to react to one that is prone to overreact or be defensive , not just in what you think you need to say or do but what all about may have already said or done to him to set the stage. Reasonable discourse sounds wonderful, only not all things are as reasonable to you as one might choose to think for another.

We frequently point out a referee is a match condition as ever changing as the weather. Be he on the cool side of sunny or an out of control fire. A dreary rain soasked event or a fun mud slide in the park the referee is part of the field! Whether he is as inflexable as the goal post or as bendable as the corner post, referees are not clones but at varying levels of experiance, control and knowledge. If you are as suave and together and calm as you think then consider if an official is having difficulty and not responsive to requests then do not suggest or offer any. The best help a coach can directly give a match is to not further upset an already upset referee. Concern yourself with your players, adapt to the conditions

AFTER you can record and report all actions you feel pertinent for the league and follow up concerns. Yes some of what you say will be biased, it is part of the match condition but that does not mean all things said are ignored. If you calmly and clearly state opinions backed with as much fact and support as possible.

The referee appeared stressed out, confused and unsure, lacked control perhaps out of his comfort level? He exiblted poor foul recognition with application of the laws and restart errors
site examples:
INDFK awarded for handling foul he actually said it was not deliberate but it was too advantagous to continue?
Swore at parents! unacceptable behaviour
Tackle from behind broke players ankle no call and no card shown. Pk awarded for foul outside the penalty area when keeper picked the ball up?
Walked up and down the pitch mumbling about the end of the world and everyone was out to get him.

Cheers