Question Number: 19839

League Specific 8/29/2008

RE: High School

Randall Arnold of Eden Prairie, Minnesota USA asks...

I have a question regarding the technical area on fields where the space is not marked. The high school rules book describes an officials area on each side of the center line and a bench area. As I sat in the stands and watched a game recently, I was amazed by the latitude given to one coach regarding his position both off the field and on during the course of the game. The coach spent the first ten minutes of the game sitting 15 yards behind his players bench in an elevated position among the spectators. At times during the game this coach would stand with both feet clearly over the line and on the field of play giving instructions to his players. He followed play along the sidelines from the 18 yard line to a point 3-4 yards past the midfield line. The player benches were located 15 yards either side of midfield. This coach has a habit of acompanying his subs up to the midfield stripe and giving them and field players instructions from this point at midfield. I would expect to end up officiating at one of this coach's games at some point in the future. Should I bring along a can of marking spray and spell out exactly where this coach can and can't be because it seems that nobody has ever imposed any sort of boundaries in the past? With no lines present, what should be included in pregame instructions to both coaches?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Improperly marked technical areas or the absence of lines create controversy simply because of the undefined limitations created. The basic fundamental issue is LEAGUE unpreparedness in the preseason to set a standard or in some cases a desire not to permanently mark multiuse fields.

It is NOT your job to pay for and maintain the field but to point out to the groundskeepers and association responsible for the deficiencies you note to be corrected.

REASONABLE behavior!
It is the only request a coach is asked to conform to in the laws of the game is reasonable conduct within the confines of the technical area!

I personally do not enjoy instructing the coaches or teams in the laws of the game at the beginning of the match. These are things they should ALREADY KNOW! Although I will always introduce myself and staff to the coaches I generally pass on SPECIFIC league or tournament info that I have been requested to do so. Otherwise I do try to convey that I adhere to substitution protocols very closely and I ASK the coach is there anything they wish to know or if they want to ask any questions?

Mind you I do adapt this standard to fit in with the caliber of play, age and skill level. Youth soccer is a JOINT effort by officials and coaches to provide for our youth. High school is young men and ladies not boys and girls.

For me and most of our panel members the coach you mention is not destined to wander around for too long without something said and or done to curb the wanderlust mentality. While I note the improperly marked field for lack of a specific technical area can create irregular habits on the part of the coaches such as getting too near the touchline on occasions it is generally a lack of accountability that such actions go unrestricted. You calmly yet pointedly remind the coach of his obligations and to please remain off the field and close to his bench. A reminder (are you aware?), an asking, (please refrain), a warning (I am telling you not to do this )then this action taken immediately solves the issue or a 4th and final solution, the coach has his early retirement in the parking lot

I CONSTANTLY chide leagues and organizations for FAILING to set up preseason meetings, mid season discussion and post season reviews over the issues that could and do arise. Codes of conduct, Q@A, how to properly monitor and deal with inadequate officiating coaching or spectator actions. How to agree to disagree yet fix problems and remember we are ALL on the same side which is in the interest of the safety an support of our youth.

I suggest a soccer festival where not only games but actual seminars of learning in a fun way with some mandatory participation by the officials, coaches, parents and players! Not isolated group meeting but a working sharing environment where the essence of FAIR PLAY permeates the surroundings. I have a program in mind that utilizes hands on activities rather than computer simulations and watching videos for an INTRODUCTORY approach to the conflicts that arise on the soccer pitch. Promotes understanding of all participants and simply is about as much fun one can have while learning. From building a mock soccer field in competition, to exposing all 17 laws of the game, to watch throw in or kick competition and use a trivia retrieval system to engage in who knows as much as they think to acting out the very situations you describe the boundary of acceptable and unacceptable become less confusing and conflict diminishes in proportion to the understanding of what FAIR PLAY really means!
Cheers