Managing Coach-Referee Interactions Without FAL
This YMTC episode explores how coaches should appropriately interact with referees when they believe game management is poor. The discussion highlights the boundaries of coach communication, how referees should handle mistakes, and the importance of patience in referee developmentYMTC #24.
Situation: A Frustrated Coach Encounters Repeated Referee Errors
Game Context:
- A U10 coach (who is also an experienced referee) encountered multiple officiating mistakes during a tournament.
- Examples included:
- Failure to signal an indirect free kick and incorrectly awarding a goal.
- Not enforcing substitution rules as per the ROC.
- Improper management of a clear head injury.
- Allowing a restart with a rolling ball.
- Engaging in a time-wasting conversation with the leading team’s coach late in a match without adding time.
The Coach’s Question:
“What is the appropriate way for a coach to interact with a referee who is not properly managing the game?”
How Should a Coach Handle Poor Officiating?
1. Understand That Not All Mistakes Warrant Confrontation
- Some errors (rolling ball restarts, missed signals) are minor and do not fundamentally alter the match.
- Others (head injuries, misapplying competition rules) are more serious and may require action.
- Referees—like players—are still developing. Most will improve with experience if they are not driven away by overcritical coaches.
2. When & How to Approach the Referee Respectfully
- During Play:
- Coaches should not engage in ongoing commentary or protest calls.
- Instead, they should focus on coaching their players and avoid creating a hostile atmosphere.
- At Halftime:
- Approach respectfully and ask for clarification (e.g., “Hey, just for my understanding, I thought subs were only allowed at certain stoppages?”).
- After the Game:
- Avoid emotional complaints.
- If necessary, ask the referee politely for insight (e.g., “Could you clarify the call on that indirect kick? I just want to make sure I understand.”).
3. If the Referee is Clearly Unaware of a Rule
- If it’s a serious misapplication (e.g., head injury mishandling, ignoring ROC rules), a polite correction may be warranted.
- Example: “I believe the ROC states subs are only allowed at certain stoppages—could we check that together?”
- If the referee continues to misapply rules, the tournament director or assignor is the proper channel for feedback.
Referee Development & Coach Expectations
1. Coaches Must Set the Right Example for Players
- Yelling at referees teaches young players the wrong message.
- Players should learn resilience—some calls go their way, some don’t.
2. Over-Coaching Referees is Like Over-Coaching Players
- Game-time corrections rarely work—they mostly come off as criticism.
- Referees develop over time, just as players do.
- If coaches attack inexperienced refs, they contribute to the referee shortage.
Final Takeaways: Coaches, Referees & Game Management
- Coaches should focus on their team, not refereeing the referees.
- Referee mistakes happen—some should be addressed respectfully, others let go.
- The best way to improve officiating is through mentorship, not public criticism.
- Patience is key—most referees improve with experience, if they aren’t driven away.
- Winning and losing is part of soccer—teaching players emotional resilience is more valuable than blaming a ref.
This episode emphasizes mutual respect between coaches and referees, and how each has a role in ensuring a positive match environment.
Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by Frank