Question Number: 14706

Mechanics 1/18/2007

Jon of London, UK asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14699

Yeah totally agree with the mechanic....that is why it is in place!! Starting to see that a lot in International and European Football particulalry. In English Football the referees still write down before issuing but in Champs League and many European Leagues a lot of flamboyant nature is coming into the issuing of cards, running across with card in hand before the standard mechanic has taken place...something which i believe we are speciafically told not to do! I guess it becomes easier when you are at that level and know the players, but there was a certain flipent nature for want of a better word in Mr Poll that day and totally went against his normal procedure. As i said though, i still, as do many others, regard him as the best referee in English football and truly believe that the two assisstants (one being Mr Sharpe who was world cup final assistant in 2002) had to put there hands up with him. A simple "Graham that's his second" into the mic would have been so simple!! Oh well, poor guy, mistake made and I believe he has stood up to be counted admirably since.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Yeah Jon, true mate. The mechanic you mention as something you are not supposed to use, having the card in your hand so everyone can see it comming and cool off a bit. It's used to put out fires, call it a fire hose instead of a card if that suits you, sir. It really works wonders because players see it as something to be avoided and scatter.

There is nothing that says you can't put your notebook on top of it and write! That makes it a small yellow table instead of a fire hose! Once you have the name and the low rent SOB knows why he went in your book put the book away, stow the pencil and presto the hose/table turns into a yellow card again. You just got the best of both worlds AND followed the written procedure as well.

As a pilot I learned that when one deviates from an existing procedure everything can grind to a halt in a matter of seconds so, because of that fact, I'm one who abides by procedures and established ways of doing things. Yes, I do have an answer for everything...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While we are commonly taught the correct mechanic for cautioning a player, we often don't use it. I think I have a reasoning for why that is.

When refs start out, they often get youth recreational league games. Cautions are so few and far between that it is a big event*. The ref feels he has to address the situation immediately! Get that card out there! Let'm know you're on top of things!

We are also taught to change the write-talk-show mechanic if we feel that flashing the card early will reduce the chances of retaliation. Well of course it will - that guy who just got mugged is mad! Let'm know you've got it taken care of!

Once a bad mechanic is learned, it is hard to unlearn it.

* - To illustrate, in the 8 years I have been doing rec soccer games, I could count all cautions and send-offs without resorting to untying my shoes.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Unfortunately for U.S. refs, the players don't get it either. They have been "brought up" thinking that the ref is supposed to show the card first. When I try to employ the mechanic here in the States, there are plenty of times that I get in trouble with players, coaches, even assessors (oh, I mean "mentors") for "taking too much time," etc. However, being the "rugged individual" that I am, I still write first and show the card. They just give me extra grief about it...unless of course there's a raging fire....