Question Number: 27754

Law 5 - The Referee 9/13/2013

RE: D2 Adult Men Adult

Eric Petty of Fort Collins, Colorado U.S.A. asks...

Thank you for your column. Your efforts have made me a better referee.

In the previous year I have sought to control the game with my voice instead of my whistle. By publicly commenting on trifling issues with 'hands down,' 'let go,' or 'easy, easy' I can often manage player behavior before it becomes an issue. Yet I am reluctant to comment on things that have not yet occurred, such as 'straight up' for a contested header or 'no foul' for a potential DOGSO.

How do you use voice to manage a game, and what phrases do you use?

How do you deal with teams that speak a different language than yours?

Thanks for your contributions,

Eric Hayes Petty

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

My favorite word is 'steady.'

It reminds the players that I am close and watching. 'Steady' isn't coaching them how to play or suggesting that they should not play hard (why I don't like 'easy'). But, 'steady' helps affect their behavior.

I am a fan of 'no foul there' or 'not deliberate' (for handling) if I need to let players know that I saw 'it' but judged it not to be a foul. For the same reason, I believe it critical to vocalize an advantage call - - the fouled player needs to hear that I saw that foul - - to avoid retaliation.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Eric
Refereeing is an exercise in communication and a referee has to bring his own personality to the game. Some refs do not communicate while at the other extreme IMO some communicate too much.
Like Referee Wickham I use 'Nothing there' when claims are made for a free kick. It tells the players that you the incident and in your opinion it was not a foul. On the dleiberate handling calls I also usually say 'Not Deliberate'. After that I don't say very much except when speaking to players about a caution or a warning about continued poor conduct.
In respect of the players with a different language I just have to use the whistle to speak along with the cards. Insignificant foul - short peep. Heavy foul - loud heavy long blast to show my displeasure. I also think that gestures have to play a part here was well.