Question Number: 23303

Law 5 - The Referee 5/13/2010

RE: rec

andee of cincinnati, ohio usa asks...

I have been asked by a few coaches when will I, as the ref, ask the other team to back down. For example it is 5-0 at the half and winning team is not losing any steam or mixing up players or trying different things. I have been told that it is not my job to do so and it is up to the coaches to discuss these things

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andee
That is indeed correct and it is not the referee's job to deal with these matters. Indeed many Leagues operate a 'slaughter' rule whereby the winning team will lose a point if the win by a greater margin than say 6. That changes the attitude of coaches /team who then mix up the teams and withdraw stronger players etc.
If I am asked I refer the coach to the opposing coach and ask them to deal with it. My role is to ensure the game is played according to the Laws of the Game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In one of the younger recreational leagues I reffed, referees are considered to be part of the learning process for the kids (and coaches as well). We were to work with the teams to promote fair play and teach the Laws and traditions of the game.

One time when a team was well ahead, I informed the coach that he could 'forget' to put one of his players on the field in the second half, to make things more interesting for both sides. 'Oh, I can do that? And that makes my substitutions easier too!'

But I wouldn't advise a youth referee to try this, nor someone with very little experience. Only in leagues where the referee and coach are acting as colleagues does it have a chance of working out well.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Blow outs provide difficult issues for referees. The losing team can become frustrated and unpredictable. I've seen players and coaches become angry when the better team stops trying to score or makes it easier for the other team to score; and I've seen players and coaches become angry when the better team keeps scoring. The match issues all become about respect.

I believe that referees should not make suggestions to coaches about how to address the situation. While the referees may be asked at half-time to serve as a a mediator between the two coaches who want to find a situation, I find it better for the coaches to resolve it. That avoids one coach treating as disrespect another's effort to be sporting.

The referee can't relax in a blow out. We need to focus on how the players are reacting, and be quick to deal with emotions. The players will indicate when the minor things, usually ignored, must be called. The referee must quickly stamp out any signs of disrespect - - taunts and jokes, but also recognize and praise any good spirits between opponents. With teenage boys that know each other, it is often difficult to tell the difference between the two!

The referee also needs to remain very calm and professional, even as players, coaches and parents let frustrations affect them.

One great piece of advice that I was given: never, ever add time in a blow out.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The only way this would become your job is if your league awards sportsmanship points or has one of the well meaning but still silly mercy rules. I realize that in today's society no one is supposed to have their feelings hurt or, for that matter, get their butts beat in a game or sport. Besides, what does 'back down' even mean? If the coach of a team winning a blow out starts having his players do things like have 4 passes before taking a shot, the kids on the team getting beat will soon figure out the winning team isn't even trying. Which is more demeaning? I'd rather get trounced than have the opponents toy with me and not even try to score.

The only things I will do in the case of a blow out are:

1.NEVER add time to a half
2. If the losing players are continually asking me to end the game early I will

Of course, this only pertains to rec teams