Question Number: 17330

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/15/2007

RE: competive Under 13

Anita of kansas city, mo United States asks...

We were in a tournament this last weekend and the ref had told the girls not to warm up in the goal box. The girls were not warming up in the box but a ball did go through the box. The ref yelled at the coach to keep them out of the box, the coach told him that they were not in the box, the ref got very defensive and ended up issuing a yellow card to the coach before the game even started. Then as the game started every call went against are team and some it seems were even made up. My question is would this be appropriate behavior for a ref or not? I will tell you that after speaking with other coaches that have been at this feild this ref is the kind to instigate with a coach instead of try to solve a problem.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I will assume the goal area was in rough shape and the referee was trying to protect the safety of the keeper?
It is a mean spirited small minded individual who would use his or her authority to create problems for kids. I suppose there are referees who fit this description as in any profession. Is it appropriate? If true, certainly not but I too as a referee have been accused in a similar fashion and I believe the accusations to be totally without merit.

It could be a good thing for coaches to remember they can record and report the same as a referee might in a match report and submit their findings to the league. Some comments are just a matter of disappointment or failure to agree to disagree. That said referees are not perfect although everyone sure seems to expect they should be. Misapplication of laws, anger problems, inexperience, could be highlighted and perhaps the justification of some actions can be scrutinized under the critical eye of neutral observers, assessors and mentors.

I dislike to blame rather seek to fix the problem. An irritable referee might be irritated by the actions of those around him and require some helpful advice from colleagues or mentors. It is not for me to know if the referee over reacted or whether the coach was not reasonable in his behavior. Coaches have no authority to debate or engage a referee during a match and if or when they do so they fail in their obligation to the game as well as set the example for the kids.

Referees are at different points in their careers and many experienced referees are disgruntled with the constant abuse over time and could snap at a first timer who then thinks the referee is a class A officious fart.

We try to remind all that a referee is a match condition like the weather or pitch surface. The referee is in effect is made up of the the same material as the goal post, crossbar or corner flag. The referee is part of the field of play. You enjoy the sunny days with a gentle breeze and the ball rolls deliciously along a smooth close cropped green field. You endure the blustery cold rainy mud pits where the ball sticks to the ground as if it had square sides.
You adapt and play.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I have not seen the tournament rules. Did those restrict where players could warm up?

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

What an odd question. I don't know why this referee would make this request, but in my mind - if you're going to have a referee make that request, just abide by it and don't give him no guff - lest he become angry. Maybe he was Bruce Banner (you wouldn't like him when he's angry.)

Referee's are like a box of chocolate, you never know what you gonna git.