Question Number: 25588

Other 10/11/2011

RE: Rec Under 13

Doug B of Irvine, Ca USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25574

Just a comment to add regarding 'taking a knee.'

I have had coaches tell me 'Ref, they need to take a knee' and at times they get upset if I don't enforce this. I understand that one reason may be to keep the players from crowding the injured, or even to remember the position, like a 'pause' button on the remote. But not necessary.

In addition to the reasons mentioned by the panel, if there is a serious enough injury that needs rapid attention, and everyone has 'taken a knee' the medics or coach might have more confusion as to which of these players on the ground is injured. Keeping the players up makes it easier to identify who actually is injured.

Nevertheless, as a referee I usually neither enforce nor discourage players from that action, I let the coach advise his own players.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Coaches are free to instruct their players to take a knee. But, I agree with you that this is not an issue for the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
How can the referee enforce something that is not part of the Laws nor advised in the ATR.
If coaches want to advise players so be it.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There are a great many myths of the game that have arisen; that players must 'take a knee' is just another one of them. If a coach gets upset at a referee, the ref should just say that the Laws don't require it and let it go.