Question Number: 15691

Character, Attitude and Control 6/3/2007

RE: Rec Under 10

April Loken of Mckinney, Texas U.S.A. asks...

In one of our games, the ball was going down the field toward our goal. The ref blew his whistle for a foul that happened away from the imidiate play. Our team stopped and the other team continued and shot a goal quickly and scored. The ref. whistle still in mouth allowed the goal. The ref claimed he did not blow his whistle. The other coach said he heard the whistle too. The goal was the game winning goal for the other team. How as the coach should I have handled this situation? The ref had called a bad game throughout the match and until then I had said nothing but how do I explain to my kids why the goal counted and we lost? My kids fallowed the rules and ended up paying for it. I guess my question is how do you deal with bad refs?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee is simply a field condition that you have to adapt to. You tell your kids they followed the rules and stopped play when they heard the whistle and that bad breaks are part of life. You tell them they are there to play hard and fair and to have fun. You don't blame the referee. In any game there are at least 10 scoring opportunities that go by he wayside. This ref had a bad day and if what you say is true, should not have allowed the goal. But, and this is a big but, referees don't cause a team to win or lose, players do. For every goal a referee incorrectly influences there are numerous mistakes made by players that nullify this influence. Keep in mind that, unfortunately, most experienced referees are not doing U-10 games and you likely had an inexperienced referee. Also, you are commended for not saying anything and being a good example for your kids. Most of us it approached politely are more than willing to discuss any events of a game. If you feel you have a referee that does not understand the Law, ask the referee assignor for your club to have him or her assessed.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

A foul can happen away from play. It is the spot of the foul that matters and not the ball. 3 things must be true for a foul - 1. On field, 2. Ball must be in play, 3. Against an opponent. If the referee blew his whistle before the ball went in the goal, then he screwed up. I would suggest talking to the local assignor or reporting the incident to them . Let them deal with the rest.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The coach can never deal with "bad refs" during a match. She may gather evidence to support her claim in the form of a video showing all the supposed screw-ups. That evidence is then presented to the state referee administrator for disposition. If the referee is found to have performed in less than satisfactory manner then steps will be taken to correct the referees skills.

Ref Contarino explains, rather well I may add, how things such as this may happen. It is just a culmination of little skill and bad luck meeting at the same point in time.

You have painted two pictures of the referee in my imagination that looks something like this:

1. An over weight, no fat, older man in pathetic condition, huffing and puffing trying to keep up with the 8 and 9 year-olds with the whistle in his mouth. He wheezes in and out gasping for breath and the whistle tweets incessantly as he bounces from step to step.

2. A 14 year old on one of her first matches makes an error with the whistle and tries to hide it.

Sorry it happened, brace your self because it might happen again, too. Refereeing is a profession in which perfection is expected from the outset with steady improvement there after. We all know this never happens. Apply that same analogy to your players, are they perfect or do they, occasionally, make tiny mistakes...

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the other coach thought the goal was in error, he could have instructed his team to allow your team to score unimpeded. That would even up things to where both teams thought they should be.

I'm guessing Mr Fleischer's 2nd guess is pretty close to reality. Except not only is she just recently certified, it's her 3rd or 4th match of the day because there aren't enough referees to go around, and she loses focus. Maybe she's getting dehydrated too.

In the U10 divisions, you can't expect to see referees who have years and years of experience. Just like the players, they are learning their craft. Give them some opportunities to learn without severe criticism, and you might be surprised at how good they are when you see them again in 2 or 3 years. Certainly report any deficiencies in performance to the assignor or the local ref association - they want to help the referees improve just as much as you want good referees.