Question Number: 21292

Law 5 - The Referee 5/6/2009

RE: High School

Nolan of f, Canada asks...

Question on coach management. I'm wondering about people's personal tolerances for chirping coaches. Had a high school level game last night with a coach/referee on the sidelines. I'm sure you all know the kind - 'helpfully' calling 'blue ball', or 'blue corner' even when it wasn't, calling 'hand ball' every time the ball went anywhere near an opponents hand or arm (but strangely never when the ball went near one of her players hands). She had a number of misconceptions about play that made me realize she was one those coaches whose complete lack of knowledge of the LOTG doesn't prevent them from sharing and passing on their ignorance to their unfortunate players.

I started with the non verbal (finger to lips), progressed to verbal warnings, but behaviour continued through the matches. I was conflicted as to what to do. If it was a player, I would have cautioned, but my next option was to eject the coach, which I thought might be excessive, since the coach's comments were never overly loud or accompanied by foul language. It was mostly irritating because I'm a curmudgeon and stupid people irritate me.

I'm wondering how do other referees deal with coaches like this short of ejecting them?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Sometimes, it is best to just ignore such coaches. They can't help themselves, and nothing you say will enter their heads. Short of them yelling and screaming at you, your ARs or the other team, there is not much to be gained from trying to shush them. By trying warnings, verbal & non, you find yourself where you were during this game - next step is dismissing them. I've found smiling at them and nodding my head, no matter whether I heard them or not, agree with them or not, or whatever, makes them shut up. Obviously, I'm not interested in what they have to say, unless there really is an issue that needs my attention, and then, I'm happy to have a quick word. However, if ignoring doesn't work, the USSF approach, Ask - Tell - Remove, works just fine, although you don't have to go through all 3 steps if the commentary is egregious!

If this was in fact a referee as well as a coach, I would take a different approach. Since such folks often have a tendency to announce they are referees at the start of the game (as if that was something we wanted or needed to hear?), my first response is to say 'I see. So I'm sure I'll be able to count on you to follow the referee code of ethics and refrain from any comments about the officiating or the calls we make, especially during the game, yes? Thank you.' Forewarned. If she forgets, I'll remind her once that she is out of line, and that I'd hate to have to dismiss her. If she just doesn't get it, then I don't feel the least bit bad about sending her packing.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What you describe is annoying at the least. I assume you mean in your description that this was a coach pretending to be a referee. If the comments are interfering with your ability to concentrate, then you need to deal with it. Doesn't sound as if anything over the top was said but certainly enough to warrant some intervention. If she doesn't respond to your asking then you tell her enough is enough. After that, you're left with honoring her request to be dismissed from the game for behaving in an irresponsible manner

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A line that has helped in the past is, 'Coach, I'm the referee, you're the coach. If you don't try to make calls, I won't coach the players. Deal?'

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Flip them a candy if the mouth is full the voice rests! Give them a package and tell them to pop one every time they want to say something as it is a cure for not sitting in the parking lot! ;o)

Irritation is a selective hearing problem that depending on what and why can be overlooked as we must pick our battles to be effective. A whiney coach is likely as irritating to the players themselves as it is to the referee. I might even tell players I am truly sorry, the players ask why and smile when I say," For having to listen to that every game!" While one could run over quickly stand beside them and yell useless instructions at their players as Ref Volshol points out a pointed comment of 'You coach, I ref!' might be worthy of the effort.

I generally ignore the background chatter UNLESS it becomes front line abuse! If you are going to engage in verbal public humiliation be wary that it does not back fire. I find even if I think the coach is a complete wiener to be polite and even handed works much better than getting fed up and angry!
Cheers