Question Number: 26551

Law 3 - Number of Players 7/15/2012

RE: Competitive Under 14

Harris of Somewhere, Someplace Canada asks...

Recently in a game, I had to eject a coach from the technical area because he was being disruptive and disrespectful. He was quite annoyed no doubt. In the future, I may have to work one of his games again and I was wondering if there is a recommended approach when dealing with him the next time.

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Your demeanor at the meet and greet before the game should remain polite and professional, as if there is no history. There is no need to discuss what happened before. He knows you are prepared to enforce the rules.

You know there is history, so be prepared for the coach to bring it up. If it is to apologize, great. 'Water under the bridge. This is a passionate game. Etc. ' If it is to reargue, let the coach speak. Don't interrupt. The coach will stop talking. Then, simply say, the matter is closed. Let's get this game going. And move on.

Most coaches are great people and some get carried away. You can work with them. A few are jerks. They won't change.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I had issues with a coach a few years ago - details aren't important. After a game my AR commented that he was surprised that I hadn't tossed the coach. And perhaps I should have. The coach 'reported' me and nothing came of it.

Several weeks later I saw him again, at another age group. The coach said, 'I thought you weren't supposed to do any more of my games.' I just gave him an incredulous look and said, 'Whatever for?' - the first thing that came to me. It worked - the coach thought I didn't remember him and the game went along just fine.

Treat any future encounters as if you don't remember previous incidents. Start fresh. Don't discuss the past unless he brings it up, and then don't get into any details. Just work the game that is in front of you, not the ones in the past.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Harris
Good referees need to have the ability to treat each game with no baggage of previous encounters.
When a referee turns up to a game where he/she has had to take strong disciplinary action in a previous game the referee should simply act as if it did not happen. The new game presents a totally different set of circumstances with different opponents, conditions etc.
It is not a good idea to bring up past decisions unless someone else does so and that rarely ever happens as players, coaches want to move on.
By all means use previous knowledge and experience so as to assist in officiating the game and the best approach is to treat the game as just another game.