Question Number: 20184

Character, Attitude and Control 10/7/2008

RE: Select Under 15

Adam of St. Louis, MO USA asks...

During a game you have those plays(ie 50/50 balls) were two opponents start leaning into each other, then leaning hard, then the elbows come up and a foul is imminent. (As a ref)During the play, I will often tell the players to 'keep the arms down!' I find this often reminds the players that I'm watching, they adjust, and I can avoid making a call. Seems like a win/win.

Last week I had a well-known Select coach (respectably) tell me that:
1. I shouldn't do that because it is 'instructing or coaching' the players, especially DURING the play. My job is to make calls.
2. I shouldn't say 'keep the arms down' because players can keep their arm up to protect themselves. I somewhat agree with him on this and am thinking of saying 'Watch the elbows!'.
Thoughts?? I'de like to have some backup for when I see this coach again.

Thanks. This is an awesome resource!!!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

(1) 'Fine, coach. Next time I'll call the fouls rather than try to prevent them. Is that what you want?' You might be advised to think this, rather than say it out loud.

(2) You might try, 'No arms' or 'Don't foul'. I wonder if the coach thinks those are out of line?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ahhh. Gotta love those coaches! There's probably another well known select coach that would chastise you to for not talking to the players during the game. Look, you are there to control the game. Talking to the players can be a wonderful tool for you to use, one I utilize as often as I can. I find saying 'both of you watch your elbows' works evertime I say it. If you must talk with this coach simply tell him that telling players to not foul is not coaching and all you are doing is your job which is to control the game

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

His job is to get into your head. Coaching the players is telling them what to do against their opponent. Telling players - of both teams - to cool it, or keep the elbows down or watch the arm action guys, or whatever it might be is not coaching.

It's called man-management, and is proactive refereeing - anticipating issues and dealing with them before we have to caution or send someone off. Phooey on the coach's advice - it was self-serving at best.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Coaches tactically talk to players and if they do not like a proactive referee who is trying to not caution his players for needless foul play oblige him respectably and caution instead of talking. I will bet he talks a different tune then. Watch the elbows is not the same as saying stop using them or only use then in this or that manner you as referee are simply communicating the elbows that you see are causing you to see a problem even if they do not, failure to adjust you follow through and call the foul/ show the card if required.
Cheers

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