Question Number: 18741

Mechanics 4/9/2008

RE: Rec Under 15

John of Schertz, tx usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 18713

Thank you all for your responses. I guess the only real question was about verbal commands.

I think I should have been more clear, I am a coach but I am also a commisioner in a rec league where our goal is to teach players the game. So, my reason for asking this question is to protect our refs while at the same time give them the opportunity to help in the development of our rec players. I was hoping there was something in the laws that might mention verbal commands so that I could have some backing when asking the refs to use these commands in our rec league.

I find too often that after a ref makes a call, the kids don't see a signal to tell them who's kick it is and where that kick should be taken.

I have stressed to my coaches that if they are to speak with a ref, it must be respectful and calm. Any other type of communication with our refs is expressly forbbiden by our league rules.

I find it very interesting that there is only one signal actually required by the laws. It would be a very confusing game if that was all that was used.

Again, thanks for the responses!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hello again John and thanks for this update. I agree with you that it is and should be part of every League's mission statement to have part of the referee's job at the lower levels of play be instructional. We even have our referees do a Q&A with the parents before every U10 game if possible. Better educated parents and players make our job easier. Up to about U14 Rec or so, I give verbal commands with every call. I also try to explain actions taken on the field to the players. At select and higher rec levels I don't do this as I expect the players and coaches to understand what's going on based on my actions. We should all be willing to talk to coaches and explain things if approached politely and when there is no action like at the half or after the game. I think what you are doing is commendable just make sure the coaches understand we can't stop in the middle of the game to explain anything.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Your best bet is get the leagues assignor, the coaches, as many referees as possible and yourself in the same room and agree to how you can teach players during matches. Most of us do this automatically at the grass roots of Football. Protecting the referees shouldn't be the goal, teaching the Laws to players should be...

Also you might want to get hold of US Soccer's Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials and ensure your referees are mechanically correct as per the policies of out national organization. Many never referees have not seen this publication. Another publication available is US Soccer's Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game. These two documents establish beyond doubt what American referees are required to do with respect to signals, positions on the field, administering discipline and most everything else that happens during a match. Education is the key. Getting referees to attend required education is the trick.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I ref a lot for our recreational league. I don't get many U8's or U10's any more, as our assignor rightly reserves them for our younger refs who can only do that age level because they don't have enough experience yet. And right there is some of the problem. Unless your area has a host of experienced referees, so many that they aren't all needed on the competitive games, the recreational league will be getting mostly newbies. They simply haven't gotten the experience (yet) to be comfortable talking with players and coaches.

I do a lot of U12's (where I can help break in new AR's) and U14's. I generally start with the simple "whistle and point" method of communication. If I find a team that doesn't seem to understand why the fouls were called, or are committing common mistakes, I will begin talking to them to explain things.

Sometimes it's a fine line between explaining the Laws and coaching the team. Referees who talk to players will need to be sure they are not giving a tactical advantage to a team. Stick to the facts of the Laws, rather than suggesting ways for a team to play. And some coaches don't want the referees to tell the players anything. If you get grief for what you are saying, go back to the whistle and point method.