Question Number: 15594

Character, Attitude and Control 5/25/2007

RE: competive High School

joe mehl of cincinnati, oh usa asks...

According to the LOTG, is a coach allowed on the field to ask the ref a question at half time. Also, asking the AR to be in position with the last defender.... is asking that considered dissent.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Your title says High School, then you ask about the Laws of the Game. Please be aware that they are not the same.

Under the Laws of the Game, coaches are required to act in a responsible manner. If not, they can be officially warned (equivalent to caution) or dismissed (equivalent to sent off).

So, is the coach coming out onto the field at halftime acting responsibly? That depends entirely on the attitude displayed.

Asking the AR to get in line with the last defender would be incorrect. AR's should be with the 2nd to last defender, or with the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. So not only is the coach usurping the referee's position by giving instructions or suggestions to the AR, he's giving the wrong instruction. How would a coach feel if the AR said that #8 wasn't defending properly, and he should move further to the right? Coaches coach, referees ref and players play - and if we all remember our proper roles, things go much more smoothly.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

According to high school rules the only person able to discuss questions, with the referee, involving rulings is THE captain. The coach is allowed to give tactical instructions to his team, not the referee team. Successful coaches take copious notes during the match. My notes were things to work on during the following week's practise sessions. I didn't have time to get involved with referee mechanics.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I think asking the AR to be in position sounds like a contemptuous comment intended to undermine the AR's authority. Besides, since when did you become a referee assessor?

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15640