Question Number: 23892

Character, Attitude and Control 9/9/2010

RE: Competitive High School

Dave of Clarkston, WA USA asks...

Fouls near the bench

What has gotten me into trouble officiating my last two matches are fouls near the benches.

Based on feedback from the coaches, I either cannot see the foul because contact is on the side facing the coaches or I'm not selling the calls that I do make well; especially when both opponents are making contact and I call the foul on the player that I see is more guilty.

I do a lot of running throughout the match to stay 10-15 yards from the play.

I think that I should try getting a lot closer (less than 10 yards) from play when play is close to the benches.

What is your advice? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If you are running a dual (common in high school), the bench area near the lead presents one of the coverage problems during transition. The lead referee (even if close to play) is shifting focus to gauge offside and the trail may be far away. The trail needs to sprint to get in position to see that foul.

In a diagonal system of control, fouls near the bench present a different problem. Because of their proximity to coaches and teammates, every foul is elevated to more of an issue than if the same foul occurred elsewhere on the field. The referee needs to broadcast the call commensurate with this increased attention: make the call bigger with a whistle that is louder and longer.

Staying 10- 15 yards from play gives you the correct angle and perspective to see the whole play develop and to recognize the potential for advantage. Too close and everything explodes in front of you. Rather than get within ten yards to make the call, sprint to the spot of the foul as you whistle. The players need to feel the proximity of the referee, and the sprint after the foul creates an illusion of that the referee was right on top of play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave,
My advice is not to get closer than 15 yards but rather concentrate on angle of view. The best angle of view is side on to the challenge and indeed a referee that is 25 yards away with a good angle of view will perhaps make a better decision than a referee at 10 yards with a poor angle of view. Also closer to the play can allow players to get in the way of the refereee's view.
Running a diagonal gives that good angle of view. Many young referees follow the ball rather than running to make the better angle of view. That direction can be most times away from the ball.
As regards the technical area calls perhaps your view is being compromised by your positioning due to 'noisy' technical staff. Also the benches may simply be trying to intimidate you due to your proximity to the benches. That is not unusual and you simply need to be 'strong' in this area. If your calls are okay in other parts of the field then the bench area is no different.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I'm sure the coaches are totally unbiased in their feedback. My colleagues have given excellent advice on where to be and why - if you are already following that, excellent! If there are some nuggets there for you to use and to pass on to others, even better.

When an incident happens in front of the benches, the coaches have the best seat in the house. Allow them that privilege while still retaining the authority as the referee to call what you think is the best call based on your view and what experience tells you. Just because they think they saw X doesn't make it a fact, but there is no sense in getting into an argument - everyone loses then. A little humor, some firmness, an ability to listen - all of these will help you get on with the game and keep everyone in the game. Good luck.