Question Number: 32673

Character, Attitude and Control 8/29/2018

RE: Comp

Mike of Lebanon, CT US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32668

Not really a question but a follow-up to the referenced question. I had a very similar incident in a U12B tournament game. From the very beginning one of the coaches was very vocal and loud in his rather harsh criticism of his players. After a goal was scored against his team, he singled out a particular young lad and screamed out: 'what the hell was that?! It's your damn fault for letting that goal happen!' I immediately blew the whistle ran over and put him on a 'tell'. His response: 'I can coach anyway I like.' 'No you can't if it disrespects the game' was my response. He was quiet for the rest of the game. As we set up for the KO, his players thanked me, and I got a round of applause from the team's parents. I have a feeling that coach was not going to be in that position much longer.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi mike,
thumbs up here mate. Coach is a putz and good on you for looking to the welfare of the kids! As to whether the coach gets replaced while parents resent such coaches the (Who else is there?) syndrome far too often applies. I would do it but, a lot of buts stop a lot of volunteers!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Thanks for sharing your experience
The key here is ability to manage such situations. Obviously your *interaction* with the coach had the desired effect during that game. Unfortunately on another day a referee may let this slide and the behaviour continues. It should not though have to be referees responsibility as clubs can and do observe this behaviour every week.
The interesting part is that every single coaching course in the world from associations single out this type of behaviour as totally unacceptable yet it persists. From my perspective persistent use of this unacceptable behaviour by coaches should result in loss of coaching badges and licences. It is then not up to the club whether the person continues as a coach due to the loss of licence / badge.