Question Number: 16862

Law 3 - Number of Players 9/24/2007

RE: select Under 16

Hans Jablonowski of Columbus, MI USA asks...

Need some advice on how much and what kind of communication can the coaches make to the referee during the game? It seems that much of the bad atmosphere out there starts with the coaches.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

In Law 3 International FA Board Decision 2 states: A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position after giving these instructions. All officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

That is IT, nothing more, nada, zilch, nuttin'... Use any word you want to but a team official is permitted to talk to his team. A team official. You are not his team. It is that simple. Coaches would be wise to remember that little tidbit lest they retire to the locker room before the match is over.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Um. Actually coaches have no authority to communicate with the referee at all. For substitution, for instance: the substitute checks in with the 4th official, or scorer's table, or AR (depending on the league and number of officials assigned to that match), then stands at least a yard off the touchline at the halfway line to indicate that a substitution is being requested. One of three things will happen: 1)The referee sees that the substitute is standing there and at the appropriate time allows the substitution. 2)The AR on the side that the substitute is standing will signal the request for substitution and the referee will acknowledge it. 3) The AR on the side that the substitute is standing will signal the request for substitution and the referee will not see it and the AR on the otherside (lead AR) will mirror that other ARs flag and the referee will acknowledge it.

Did you notice not one word has been spoken, and no communication from the coach is even needed (spoken or unspoken). When a coach or member of a particular team begins to provide tactical instructions to me, the referee (or even the AR) I turn to him and tell him that while remaining in the technical area, he may provide tactical instructions to his/her team. I am not a member of his/her team and therefore will not tolerate his behavior. If it continues, then he can leave. Simply put, you will not find a coach giving tactical instructions to the other team. Have you ever heard a coach say to his team, or even yell out loud to the other team, "what an idiot putting your forwards there like that. Didn't you teach them how to avoid the offside trap?" Or, when talking to his team at the bench or even parents would you ever hear the coach say "that coach is an idiot and has no business coaching that team. Look what a horrible job he is doing...." Why then, do we referees allow ourselves to be yelled at, berated and otherwise verbally abused by coaches who have zero business talking to us in the first place??

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Sometimes the bad attitude by the coaches starts with referees who don't know how to conduct themselves professionally. They (the coaches) get into bad habits, thinking it is their job to let the referee know of substitutions and from there about their opinions of anything and everything. Referees have to learn their jobs just like coaches do - by getting out there and doing it and making all the concommitant mistakes that go with learning a new skill, so thank you for your question! My colleagues Fleischer and Hoelscher make excellent points about the lack of rights of coaches in the game, and point out some ways to help referees educate coaches. Nonetheless, it is difficult to re-educate people and coaches are no exception - people who think they have rights are always very vocal when those supposed rights are ignored - imagine their chagrin at learning they had none to begin with! I always recommend in our referee clinics for the referee to introduce themself to the coaches before the game, and depending on the level, explain briefly anything which might be of use to the coaches in conducting themselves accordingly - no lectures, though! (Such things like where the technical area is and what it is for, subs at the halfway line before an opportunity to sub will be allowed in at the next opportunity - then they don't have to yell - but the referee has to get into the habit of not missing players at the halfway line, etc.). A smile and a firm handshake go a long way, as does the professional no-nonsense attitude in setting the correct tone to get their cooperation. Demonstrate for them the respect they deserve for their position (whether they deserve it or not) so you may expect it in return. Don't threaten, yell or lose your cool - remember, you hold all the cards, and the game, once begun cannot continue without your okay. If you cannot convince them to behave, then terminate the game and include all of the details in your report and make sure your assignor is aware of what happened. If more referees refuse to accept bad behavior and demand good behavior from coaches - the consequence being the teams don't play and/or the coach must serve a suspension or fine, they will eventually get the message. In the meantime, we've given you some useful suggestions, I hope.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

One of the many problems with soccer in the US is the role models we have come from baseball, basketball, and football where it is commonplace and accepted to yell, curse and otherwise abuse every official be you a coach or a spectator. Bobby Knight -like temper tantrums are accepted as part of the game. Unfortunately for coaches that emulate those of other sports, soccer is different and these coaches usually need to be educated. As time goes on, we expect better behavior from our coaches. Ref Maloney brings up a very important point. As referees, we have to make certain we are doing our job and remain professional at all times.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Refereeing,
the art of remaining a neutral official in a passionate emotional need for victory match between competing sides has a value and moral basis in written law and within the spirit of those laws. What in essence is referred to as FAIR PLAY is the acceptance of the guidelines of a match between competing fractions. While we could agree in principle to what is right or what is wrong in the clear light of day once opinion, perception and emotion are added into the mix after a forced dose of politics, money and pride are placed on top of the game the expectations and reality changes. Those clear blue skies are often cloud filled and far too often of the storm variety!

Coaches are held to a certain standard! It is very basic and straightforward, explained as reasonable and tactical and within a technical area! A compassionate referee will allow for minor dissent and venting as required but the limits of emotive control rest on the referee doing a credable job to avoid raising the needless ire of the coach and the coach able to agree to disagree and move on rather than initiate confrontation!

In as much as I referee I also coach and I fully understand that when I or my players initiate a one way conversation there is no guarantee it will be received well or poorly and could result in our dismissal. We can always respect any referee who shows effort even if inexperienced but we will not always stand idly by when we see the referee who is in charge of us minding our business is not attending to his! If we get warned or sent off we must stand the league scrutiny of our actions and accept any discipline meted out! I always try to use my captain to request or impart info to avoid outbursts that can agitate those around me.

My colleagues make the correct argument as referee we can easily convince the participants to remain within the game if we act accordingly to limit their hostile reactions. Our character and attitude can be reflected back a to us like a mirror! Mutual respect is offered as part of the fair play ethics, however, respect as an individual is earned by both deed and effort! Self-respect is the gift to yourself and can not be taken only given away!

The hardest evolution of the coach referee dynamics is eventually the coach must realize that the match is not a series of ongoing debates. You agree to disagree and move on. You can record and report the good for praise as well as the bad for review. Responsibility rests with the referee to gauge whether the coach can stay or go. It is never our wish this interaction should be less than good and cooperative but like all choices and free will decisions sometimes the mouth will engage before the brain is in gear!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Caoches are not really to address referee during match. Coaches can give tactical instructions to players, but thats it. In youth matches, it is sometimes ok for referee to communicate with coaches to help educate all. Referees can make a good first impression by introducing themselves to the coaches before the match.