Question Number: 20027

Character, Attitude and Control 9/21/2008

RE: Gold Under 18

Thomas of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

Recently while refereeing/ARing, I have had a few incidents with coaches, and I would like a second ominion of how I should have handeled them.

#1: Semi-Finals, Girls (U-15)

Before I get the the main bit, a bit of background. I had refereed the two teams two weeks earlier in the season, and during that game, the Away coach had been shouting all game, from 'That was a foul throw' (from the opposite side of the field :P) to 'That should be a foul, what are you doing? Open your eyes.' My assistant (yes...assistants ...such a luxury) said that she had said a lot of other comments that I didn't hear.
Onto the match at hand now. She started her shouting manner again, so at halftime I decided, to cut it off before it got bad. I went called her over at halftime to have a nice little chat with her.
I had barely managed to get my 'Please, quite down, and keep your comments to yourself,' out before she started on her tirade. She informed me that I was calling the match was all wrong, that stoppage time is only added in the second half (yes...she did seem a bit crazy), and the worst of it, called my assistant incompetent by saying 'He doesn't know what he's doing; he's just a kid.' Which insults me too, considering I am the same age as him. Right about then, I was deciding which colour matched her outfit the best, when the Athletic Director for the school (whom I have great respect for) came over and told me to leave it, and walk away. I did as he said, but should I really have let it go? And what colour would best fit?

#2 Tournament Game 1, U-16 Girls Silver

Similar to situation 1. I was doing a game and the two coaches of one team were yelling at me. 'That's a foul.' 'You can't be touched at all from behind.' 'How are you not calling this???' I let it gor for a little bit, but my patience ran out, and I went to the coaches and told them to 'Shut it now.' The did for a while, then started up again. My question with this situation is this: how much abuse, especially as a youth referee, should I take from coaches before they go.

#3 League Game 2, U-18 Boys Gold

In this game I was the (only) AR, and was on the Away team's side. I was working with a high level ref (Provincial or Nation...not sure which), and he was calling the game well, but he allowed more physical play that most would; presumably since it was U-18 Boys Gold. The away coach didn't like that and somewhat let his emotions out saying 'How aren't you calling the s***?' 'He charged into our keeped, that a red, thats bull****' Among a few other thing. The Referee let it go, which I didn't have a problem with, it's his match. There are two questions with this one. Among what the coach was shouting across the field, he was directing a lot of profanity towards the ref within in earshot of me. How much should I let him say before I get the ref over?
Also, at one point, after a (clean) midair collision between a player and his keeper, he was shouting (again), and one of the players near him said 'Oh just shut up, that was fine.' The coach said to the player something about how it was BS. The player the told the coach to get off the field, for he was 10 yards on for no reason at all. I had missed that because I was watching the situation in the PA, but was listenting to them. The coach then told the player to 'Shut the f*** up.' I intervened there, and stopped the conversation, but because the coach was swearing at an opposing player, should I have called the ref over and tell him what happened?


Basically my question from all of these is how much I should tolerate as a referee before giving them their marching orders, and as an AR, untill I call the ref over.

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

(1) Sounds like the coach was behaving in an irresponsible manner, dissenting your calls. I'm surprised you let it go to halftime. A warning to quiet down, next an official notice of warning (equivalent of a caution, which will be noted in your game report), and finally the coach is 'dismissed for not behaving in a responsible manner'. Those are the exact words you must use, the only reason for sending a coach away from the field. Your respected AD will then have the task of explaining to the league why his coach was dismissed.

(2) Hopefully you can learn better words: 'That's enough coach. I've heard enough coach.' That was their warning. Then follow (1), except for different league reporting mechanisms.

(3) Higher-level refs have heard and seen a lot worse than you have. That may be why your ref didn't react to the language. Also, the players often have a much higher tolerance level for 'let us play' than those on the sidelines do. The player should not be talking to the opposing coach; if you heard that you could just shout, 'Hey, quiet! Let us take care of it.' That might have fended off the coach's cursing of the opposing player. Or maybe not - and in that case, you call the ref over to deal with his irresponsible behavior (there's those words again).

In general, the more you allow from a coach, the more they will continue to rant and rave. Get a coach reported to the league a few times, and dismissed when he doesn't get the message, and word will get around. You can't do it alone - you need the support of your fellow local referees. If you have chapter meetings or something similar, you should bring it up. Else voice your concerns to your assignor, who can then broadcast the message that irresponsible behavior cannot be condoned.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Young referees when faced with such nonsense's from the adults must question the intelligence of all adults from the example these ones set. We often use the terms your match ,your decision ,your reputation in describing the environments that form the basis of our experiences. Integrity and and a backbone are the two prerequisites to officiating as is a sense of humor and compassion to offset the firm but fair attitudes we must abide by

I preface most matches with a brief introduction at the preliminary inspection of the players' equipment
'HI, I am REF so & so this is AR 1 and AR2 and 4th
While MY ARS and 4th look over your equipment I would like your permission to speak with you on a few things
We are fair but not perfect and after the match is over I would be happy to answer any reasonable questions if circumstances allow it.
During and after the match my ARs are 100% off limits to all and are to be treated with courtesy at all times!
My 4th handles all substitution and technical area applications and is to be treated with courtesy at all times
Your captain may bring any issues directly to me only at an appropriate time or circumstance and in a reasonable manner if I am in a position to allow it.'
IF there are SPECIAL instructions that the teams need to know I dispense them here. NO 4th , No technical area marked, responsible behavior, substitution alterations, special shoot out etc... Otherwise I ask the coaches, 'Do you or do your players have any questions they would like answered at this time?

If the league places any importance on properly marked fields you SHOULD have the two technical areas CLEARLY marked as the application of the words RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR stems from the confines of that small set aside area where coaches can dispense TACTICAL information. If the use of the technical area is new to them a brief explanation, a polite please, a reminder, a general warning then a stoppage confrontation to settle the situation, removal from the field then follows if unsatisfactory resolution.

THE TECHNICAL AREA
The technical area relates to matches played in stadiums with a
designated seated area for technical staff and substitutes as described
below. While the size and position of technical areas may differ between stadiums, the following notes are issued for general guidance:
? the technical area extends 1 m (1 yd) on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward up to a distance of 1 m (1 yd) from the touch line
? it is recommended that markings are used to define this area
? the number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is
defined by the competition rules
? the occupants of the technical area are identified before the
beginning of the match in accordance with the competition rules
? only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical
instructions and he must return to his position after giving these
instructions
? the coach and other officials must remain within its confines except in special circumstances, for example, a physiotherapist or doctor entering the field of play, with the referee's permission, to assess an injured player
? the coach and other occupants of the technical area must behave
in a responsible manner

Your personal interaction is a reflection on your character, the league's position to back you and the perception those around you take from that contact.
Rude and arrogant, they feel you are
Calm and sincere you feel you are
Firm and amiable you feel you are
Rigid and authoritarian they feel you are

A referee has incredible discretionary authority to conduct a match in the interest of the players, their safety and the enjoyment of the participants. The awareness of what we can do when confrontational attitudes and situations arise, pressure us to not over react but often we under react in trying to grasp with the emotions and passions that reality reflects in the needs and outcomes for those non neutral parties. If you lack confidence and feel they might have a legit gripe it weighs on the conscience and renders you unfit to continue officiating because you are no longer neutral but seeking approval.

Situation (1 )
in MY opinion, you needed to act sooner to the dissent but when you finally reacted the person you respected cut the feet out from under you by not letting you satisfactorily resolve the issue. The chat time was pregame during the match it is I talk you listen mode because this IS the way it WILL be! If the AD was willing to run interference you could have said either you get her to stop or I will dismiss her for not behaving in a responsible manner' and placed him in the picture of responsible behavior. The colour thing I assume is yellow or red? Is it common now to show a card to the coach in Canada? A warning (is OUR caution )in that if it persists an expulsion (is OUR send off) for failing to act responsibly.

Situation (2)
Avoid public words like Shut Up even though that is what you want, it is like an F O in the aggressive nature of its meaning. 'Please Coach enough already You want to referee, get a whistle and take the next match It is YOUR responsibility to coach your kids in THIS match not yell at me. I told you I am fair not perfect! Please stay within the technical area and ONLY COACH! Thank you!


If this is insufficient and you are forced to deal with ongoing dissent or abuse proceed to dismiss the coach for not behaving in a responsible manner. Eventually what you accept becomes the norm and only a concerted effort from your colleagues and league will establish when too much is too much and a line is drawn in the sand. Recognizing that emotional venting is ok but dissent and abuse becomes more than that is not concrete it is a flexible conduit that is managed by ALL those concerned with how a league performs.

Situation (3)
I find it interesting that the gold game even went ahead with only 1 AR? Must not have been provincial play only local league? With provincial play there must be 3 officials or that game will not usually count as a result. Your older referee and the older players likely are not immune to industrial language but as in most things a limit and reason must weigh in at some point. An exclamation of disgust or disagreement is emotional venting and tolerated to a certain extent. Where as an ongoing litany of dissent or torrents of abuse must not be permitted to fester unchecked.
You must ask in the pregame for instructions if the referee is too casual about expectations or overlooks a detail you feel is important. While you assist the referee as a referee yourself you want to work with the referee and compliment his actions with your own. Too many referees leave the ARs hanging out there with no support and are annoyed rather than glad if the AR brings details to their attention feeling JUST deal with it serves as ok advise!

The coach entering into the field to confront an opposing player is GONE plain and simple another reason why technical areas are so important. It defines the limitations with such clarity! Absolutely you get the referee over and deal with it.

In closing as AR when you work with older more experienced referees ask them specific questions on how to handle controversy and things in behind play. What do they want you to do?. As a referee yourself the tolerance for unacceptable language and actions defines as public, persistent and personal. Ask, remind, tell, warn and expel those who simply cannot shut their pie hole so the stream of controversial negative and garbage spews forth no more or at least from parking lot! Always support your ARs and do not leave them hanging!
Cheers