Officials vs. Coaches

It seems to be getting worse after observing the relationship between coaches and officials for almost 30 years, it’s getting worse and at all levels!

Coaches and players just don’t agree on calls. Any call made usually brings the wrath of 50% of the participants and fans. On this level all can agree this will never change if this disagreement between coaches/players is permitted to continue.

The relationship between the two have become antagonistic and sometimes counter productive. Tension between coaches and ref’s can be apparent even before the match. Do coaches (most being former players) have a distrust of referees? Are young ref’s brainwashed by their elders about the evils of the coaching fraternity?

A survey was sent to 50 coaches, the group included men and women coaches from different levels of soccer. There were 3 open ended questions. How has the officiating been generally the season? How do you best describe the relationship between you as a coach and the referees before, during, and after the match? Have you seen any changes in this relationship in your year as a player and/or coach?

The questions drew many opinions and the answers were not surprising, but definitely cause for some concern. The technical side of officiating has been good overall. The relationship between the two was repeatedly described as tense! The relationship has become more contentious over the past few years.

This relationship is a problem. Assuming that all associated with soccer want the game to improve and catch on, then working together is important. So how do we do this?

“The Coaches Starting XI” A men’s college soccer coach came up with a possible aide for this: “The Coaches Starting XI” A perspective of what referees should understand about coaches.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: Arrive at the game site early and physically prepared for your responsibility.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #II Show obvious signs to both teams that the officiating crew is getting together as a team.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #III Work hard to stay as close to the play as possible. It is hard to argue a call if the referee is in position.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #IV Help keep the game flowing.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #V Understand the difference between the “letter” of the law and the “spirit” of the law, and always officiate with the spirit of the law in mind.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #VI On the occasion of a potentially cautionable offense, speak in a non-threatening tone first and caution as a last resort.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #VII Respect everyone involved and do your part to keep participants in the game.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #VIII Give clear and prompt signals. In the event that a mistake is made, it’s okay to reverse the decision. Players and coaches know you are human.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: #IX Keep the game safe and fair for both teams.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: Show obvious signs that you are enjoying the game and your role in the game.

“The Coach’s Starting XI”: Understand that we should all do our part to leave the game a little better than when we found it.

All good stuff and it is interesting that the focus is on the “professionalism” and not on the “calls”.

In response, several groups of referees from National Referees in college USSF to high school and youth referees came up with officials and their expectations of coaches. “A referee’s perspective of what coaches should understand about referees.”

“The Referee’s Starting XI” Officials believe the match should be decided by the teams playing soccer in a fair, safe, and exciting manner; with as little need for official intervention as possible.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #II The official’s job is to be firm but fair, and keep cheating by the teams equal, which is very difficult.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #III Officials do not care who wins the game. There is no reason to favor one team or the other.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #IV Officials will allow the game to flow by giving advantage only when player safety and game control are not compromised.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #V Officials understand that fouls are not always equal. Some teams foul persistently to offset superior opponent skills or lack of discipline.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #VI Officials understand that players (and coaches) may dissent as much as when a call is correct as when it is incorrect, and will be tolerant if the game continues in a positive manner.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #VII Officials do not give cards to players, players earn cards for reckless or careless plays that have no other purpose than to disrupt plays or injure an opponent.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #VIII Officials have a very difficult decision in when to give the first card. Not all fouls against your team merit cards; not all of your team’s fouls are immune from cards

“The Referee’s Starting XI” #IX Officials understand that coaches have legitimate arguments, but when picking battles, coaches should not dissent trifling stuff. Who cares about a throw in at midfield with the score 6-0?

“The Referee’s Starting XI” Officials have bad days. Objective & respective feedback, or even silence, is a better way to help officials refocus & get better.

“The Referee’s Starting XI” Officials appreciate it when they do a good job and give an effort, coaches remember their name and understand that the third “team” on the field also had a good game.

Both sides have spoken. It is very important that officials, coaches, and players not only coexist, but work together to improve the game and make it enjoyable for all players, coaches, fans, and job officials. We should all understand that we all have a responsibility to leave the game a little better than when we found it!