Question Number: 22518

Law 5 - The Referee 11/14/2009

RE: Travel 2 Under 10

Kevin of Orwigsburg, PA USA asks...

I had four games today, three of which went off without a hitch. The fourth one was a doozy. It was a U10 game that was chippy from the beginning. I considered the initial fouls as careless but in the 11th minute of the first half (25 minute halves) the blue team committed a foul which I felt was reckless. I cautioned the player and we restarted. One would have thought that getting a yellow card that early in the game would have told the players to play within themselves but it didnt. It continued that way for the rest of the game with a player on the other team getting a caution in the second half and each team committing a foul in the penalty area resulting in penalty kicks.

After the first yellow, the coach of the blue team would express his thoughts about subsequent calls that went against his team. At one point, I put my finger up to my mouth and gave him the sign to quiet down which did help but didnt eliminate the comments entirely. After the game, he continued to complain about the calls and at that point, I told him his behavior would be included in my game report as were instructed not to show cards to coaches.

What could I have done differently to get the game under control? Would it have been useful to call the coaches together at the half and tell them to tone it down? The game had no flow because we were stopping every 1-2 minutes because of another foul.

p.s. I dont think Im the only referee that had problems with this team. As part of the end of the game comments from the blue coach, he informed me that Im the third referee thats on his "bad" list!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. Rather than put your finger to your mouth, try extending your hand with the palm facing the coach - - the 'stop sign.' This is generally understood as 'stop.'

2. The problem is that if the coach continues to engage in comments that are personal (the 'You' in you are missing a good game is personal), profane, or persistent, the referee MUST put a stop to it. When play is stopped, walk slowly towards the coach. Walking lets you calm yourself and consider what you are going to say. Ask the coach to step onto the field toward you, away from parents and players. You are going to have a quiet conversation with him. Be polite and respectful. You can speak softly. As referee, you have all the power you need.

3. USSF suggests that a three step approach will often work. The first step is 'Ask.'

A. Ask. You ask the coach to behave responsibly. You will usually find that the coach doesn't want to do anything other that speak. I usually will listen until the coach starts repeating himself. I then say nothing. That often responds in silence. I practice what I say next.

'Coach, I heard what you said.'
'That comment was personal, and that is not acceptable. I'm asking you to behave responsible. Will you do that?

Usually, they will mutter something that sounds like 'ok.' (Note: many times what they are bothered by is correct, and its ok to acknowledge what is bothering them. But, no matter how correct they are, they are expressing it in an inappropriate manner, and the referee cannot allow this.) After asking, the discussion is over, but unless the next words from the coach are profane, I don't mind giving the coach the last word as I run back to get the match started.

B. Tell. If the coach does not behave, the second phase is 'Tell.' This is not a discussion with the Coach. The coach is being warned. I take out my book and write down the time. (IMO, that adds formality to the event). I then say, Coach, that is unacceptable behavior. It must not be repeated or I will be forced to dismiss you.'

C. Remove. If the coach still does not behave responsibly, the third phase is 'Remove.' Stop play, remove the coach. 'Coach, you are dismissed. Please leave the field immediately.' If the coach doesn't leave, I will usually state there are two minutes to comply or the match will be abandoned. In two minutes, if the coach hasn't left, abandoned the match and leave.

Obviously, if the coach's conduct requires it, you can proceed immediately to 'remove.'

I find that if I quickly use step one, I do not need to go to step two. Referees, in my opinion, accept way too much abuse and wait too long to indicate that behavior is unacceptable. Coaches won't change their behavior if they think that they will be warned, and warned, and warned, and warned, and warned. They will change their behavior when they see that you have drawn the line as to what is responsible.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Kevin
Excellent answer by Referee Wickham. I would make the following points
1. I don't believe that the yellow card needs to be used in U10. I would be simply speaking to the players and educating them on what is a foul. Every subsequent foul is then blown with zero tolerance on both sides. Forget about the flow. Yes it would be a good idea to get the two coaches together at half time to sort out behaviour or indeed if it was escalating then during the game. There is no point speaking with captains so it has to be the adults.
2. If you consider your post, the sideline problem start with the 1st caution. This coach then decides from there on to question other decisions. Clearly he took some signal from this caution and it brought his mind-set to a higher level of intensity. You can and should impose your control without cards at this age group and also impose your authority on the sideline in a friendly assertive manner.
3. I would never make a gesture at a coach. If I need to convey a message I do so on a one to one verbally in a firm assertive way.
" Coach, your shouting at me is not helping this game. Nor is the constant fouling by your players. This is a Kids Zone and this behaviour must stop" . You need to get a reaction and ensure that his intensity drops.
4. Be very careful on removing a coach in an underage game. This adult may be the only 'nominated person' there and his/her removal is not advised under Child Protection guidelines. Indeed many leagues insist on the "Two Deep" policy of adult supervision. If it gets to removal and it compromises CP guidelines then it times to abandon. If there is say an injury while he/she is not there then guess who will be taking the questions from the parent with a coach saying " I tried to tell him". He can tell his story to the League authorities on abandonment if its get to removal at an U10 game.