Question Number: 29111

Mechanics 1/18/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

I'm also a ref, but come to this question from a player's angle.

What would you say are some ways for a coach or captain to tactfully talk to a referee -- before a game starts -- to help avoid injuries from a known rough team?

Further: once a match begins to go sideways, in lack of calls (or cards) on reckless or dangerous fouls¦ what are some ways to get things tightened up without getting your own team into the cards?

Swearing and yelling haven't seemed to work, LOL!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

At the elite level, in the pregame there is endless conversation and analysis about who does what and why as to the individual players themselves not just the team tactics. Time and money do that .

At the rec level often those refereeing as CR and AR do not even know one another never mind the teams they are going to be in charge of. So it really is a difficult situation if those refereeing do not have some idea of the league and teams before hand. You require an interactive league tracking and disseminating information so conduct by those that is not acceptable is noted and acted upon.

You, as a non neutral person have a vested interest in a match outcome and some officials will be unwilling to hear even a polite discussion any more than a swear fest yelling match of recrimination.

Each referee is a match condition and carries an unknown quantity of experience, knowledge, foul recognition and situation awareness that will be brought to light during the match.

You can indeed use a calm leader to ask for a moment to talk. But Players play, and there is no guarantee a referee will see your viewpoint as clearly as you might hope!

You can also have a loud but reasonable concerned conversation within ear shot of the official as you and a team mate express some dismay/concern over the previous antics. We have selected hearing but not much of the grumbling dissent escapes us!

Or you might be lucky, if a referee like me drops by with a brief introduction and offers you a chance to ask any questions as I do during equipment and card check.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Many referees take exception to be told how to referee or to preempt how a game might develop. I think that the best way is for the captain on the field of play to speak politely to the referee expressing his concern. As you know referees know better than most when a game starts to turn aggressive and that action needs to be taken. When a calm leader on the field of play raises concern, that in my opinion, is the best and only way to deal with it.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many coaches try to game the referee with pregame comments to try to gain a tactical advantage. It makes it difficult for the referee to judge whether '#6 is a thug' is information or a strategy. IMO, there is no effective way on match day. The wise referee, instead, observes what the players do and how their opponents react, and set the bar early.

Information about consistent issues from a team or player is much more reliable when information flows from club to league after the match, and then from league to assignor and assignor to referees. The message then isn't '#6 is a thug' but we want referees to stamp out thuggery.