Question Number: 22734

Law 5 - The Referee 1/19/2010

RE: Select Under 15

Dave of Clarkston, WA USA asks...

Please explain the difference between irresponsible behavior of a coach and when the coach brings the game into disrepute.

Reference: USSF ATR 5.10 Behavior of Coach and Bench Personnel

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

Referee Dave

You are referring to this sentence from ATR 5.10:
...The referee should only take action against coaches or other
team officials for irresponsible behavior or for actions that bring the game into disrepute....

The USSF issued a position paper on Game Disrepute in February 2009, called Game Disrepute and Mass Confrontations.

Typically, Game Disrepute comes from very aggressive behavior by that person (e.g. a coach) who acts aggressively against an opposing player or against a person from the opposing team in their team area. This could come about by one coach taking umbrage with what an opposing coach is saying, and heading towards that other technical area in an aggressive manner while shouting. This can only lead to bad things, and the referee crew needs to intervene quickly. Similarly, if an opposing player acts roughly against a coach's player near the team area, the coach may confront that opposing player aggressively. This is considered Game Disrepute and could lead to a Mass Confrontation and the game getting really Ugly.

In the case of bringing the game into disrepute, the referee will most likely immediately banish the coach from the technical area. In a professional game, the coach typically heads to the locker room. In an amateur game, the coach is typically sent away from the field area (out of sight if possible).

Acting irresponsibly, may be dissenting with the referee's decisions, yelling at people in a vulgar manner (figure of speech rather than threatening), etc. In those cases, (acting irresponsibly), the referee is advised to Ask, Tell, then Dismiss. Ask the coach to stop. Tell the coach to stop and then if all else fails, Dismiss the coach. This is similar to Warn, Caution, Dismiss a player, but coaches or other non-players in the technical area are not shown yellow or red cards, but may be asked to leave the technical area and go out of sight from the game (to have no further influence upon the match).

I hope this helps.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Whenever a team official is dismissed, the reported reason is 'irresponsible behavior.'

'Game disrepute' is not a phrase found in the laws of the game, nor the current USSF Advice To Referees, but describe very well conduct that is unacceptable by a player or substitute, and by a coach, is irresponsible.

The 2009 USSF Referee Directive to which Ref Staglianao refers defines game disrepute in terms of treating the game, the referee, or the opponents in a disrerespecful manner; often by those attempting to show they are above the game. It is conduct that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

When game disrepute is not dealt with by the referees, it leads to what the USSF calls a mass confrontation and what everyone else calls a brawl.