Question Number: 15403

Character, Attitude and Control 5/6/2007

RE: Select Under 8

Scott Holan of Shorewood, WI USA asks...

If a coach flagrantly disregards the Ref's call for his team to take the field at both the beginning of the gamne and at the beginning of the 2nd half, does the Ref have the ability to penalize the team? We know a coach that gives his team several minutes of "last second" instruction orior to starting the game and the 2nd half - all while the other team is waiting, and the Ref has called the team several teams and blown his whistle several times. It is disrespectful to the ref, the other team, and the parents and spectators, and sets a bad example for the kids. Can anything be done?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The referee should write all the details down in his post game match report. He should include all the details and hopefully the league will take action to sanction the coach/club who abuses the game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Unfortunately, you have to wait until imbiclies like this decide to send their team onto the field. I agree that a report should be written. Additionally, the few times this has happened to me I make certain the coach understands I am not happy.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Referee needs to write this in the report. Hopefully the league will crack down on this and enforce a penalty.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is a form of intimidation! Professional teams do it once in a while, especially if the match is a crucial one. What can be done? Short of discipline laid on the coach for delaying a restart there isn't all that much a referee can do except write what happened in the match report. A U-8 coach doing this and taking away playing time from the children, seriously logical thinking on his part.

This "gentleman" needs someone to explain what a game is all about to the U-8's. All they want to do is kick the ball and run around, eat their cup cakes or fruit, run around and kick the ball then go out for pizza. What he can't get through to them in practice isn't going to register at the last second with the field yawning in front of them, their uniforms feeling all warm and their parents clapping. Lets get on with it coach screams the whistle in his ear!

At older age groups the referee can blow to start when 7 players have entered. The others entering without permission??? The coach screaming insults because of it???

What to do, what to do??? Something very harsh comes to mind...

Regards,