Question Number: 17467

Law 3 - Number of Players 10/22/2007

RE: select Under 16

toni of Powell River, canada asks...

Part 1....As a coach is it an offence under the laws of the game to "shout" for or "appeal" for "handball"......can the ref caution the coach, or a player who requests or appeals for "handball".

Part 2....Was it once a part of the laws of the game that a player "needed" to appeal for a handball in the same way that a "bowler" in cricket appeals for LBW by shouting "howzat", before the ref was required to award a free kick....

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

1) A. Yes, it is offensive for coaches to yell for any call, especially "handball". Coaches have the job of coaching the players, not the referee. They have neither the training or the knowledge - evidenced by the term "handball" which is not in the Laws of the Game. 1) B. Yes, a coach can be disciplined by the referee for failing to conduct himself in a responsible manner. Such discipline can include a simple warning all the way to dismissal from the game - and this can also be applied to the players, who unfortunately may think they are allowed to dissent against the referee due to the behavior of their coach. 2) It was never part of the game for a player to appeal for a call. A wise referee will be listening to the players, but there is a huge difference between listening to players and brooking dissent. And, the referee's opinion on questions of fact concerning the game are final. The more a coach appeals, the less likely he will be heard or remain at the field. It is the players' game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

1) Toni, how would you feel if the ref shouted at you to put #7 in the game at midfield? Miffed, because that's your decision to make, right? So why do coaches feel that they must strongly suggest how the referee does her job?

2) Way back when, gentlemen playing association football would call their own fouls and such. That led to disagreements, so they appointed someone to stand at the side of the field to watch the game. This person was "referred to" when the players couldn't decide the issue on their own, and thus was born the "referee". Soon it was determined to be much more efficient if the ref was out on the field making calls without waiting for a discussion between players. Since then, for well over a century, there has been no need to appeal for a call. The ref decides based on what he sees.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The coach[s] is permitted in the technical area and one is permitted to give tactical instructions to his team so long as they conduct themselves in a responsible manner. Telling a referee how to judge his match is not conducting yourself responsibly in the eyes of some referees. Adjust accordingly.

Asking the umpire, on a cricket match, for his opinion with respect to giving out Leg Before Wicket is just how it's done. The LBW rule is always judged by the umpire at the bowler's end. If the fielding team believes a batsman may be out LBW, they must appeal to that umpire for a decision. In Football the referee takes a decision regarding facts connected with play on his own or with the assistance of the other match referees. There is no need, nor any desire to hear input form someone who is not neutral, for example a coach or player.

Regards,