Suggestions for talk on referees and how they do/should impact player development?

[Ref Flunkie]

I've been asked to give a talk to our local club (to young referees and coaches all in one) regarding how referees impact or should impact player development. I must admit, going in I am a bit cynical on this topic, as I feel the main player development should come from coaches with referees focusing on doing their job and preserving the good of the game, but I do understand that young referees who referee U-littles do and can have a major impact on a players development. Anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

[Wreave]

My first thoughts trend toward the pregame, and towards good explanation of calls.

Many referees have a habit of giving no explanation on calls. Sometimes this serves the game by avoiding dissent and delay. However, sometimes it's useful, if a player truly doesn't understand the call, what happened. Sometimes, the player is protesting a call they know to be good, and an appropriate word lets them know you really did see what happened.

"It's a foul because you didn't just protect your face, you trapped the ball to your feet with your arms."

"I know you didn't mean to run into him from behind, but he has the ball, so when he stopped, you can't run him over."

On the flip side, especially with young referees, it helps not to get bogged down in explanations, or to feel like an explanation is necessary for every call.

Also, a no-call can sometimes be explained to help players understand the game.

"No foul, he was protecting his face."

"The foot didn't come up until after he let go of the ball."

I'll think about this more and add thoughts later, but that's my first reaction.

[Ref Flunkie]

My first thoughts ...

Thanks Wreave, I agree. I was thinking and I feel that we should split games/players into four quadrants (stay with me here):

Unskilled(Rec)-older (13+ years old)-----------Skilled(Premier)-older





Unskilled-younger (under 13 years old)------------Skilled-younger


I think each of these four quandrants of players have different needs of a referee. For example, with younger/unskilled players, our main job overall is to keep them safe and give them a fun environment. Calling obvious fouls is needed, but some stupid stuff can be let go or downgraded since these kids are mainly out there to have fun. I even think a referee can give some advice on how to do things properly, such as throw-ins and such.

Skilled-younger players are still there for mostly fun, but they want all the fouls called correctly and consistently. Teaching should be minimized here beyond obvious corrections that need to be made (You can't jump in front of the thrower #13). Players at this age are still learning the rules and the referee should probably explain their calls more if asked in a courteous manner.

Unskilled-older players are there to have fun as well, but here, they still expect all foul calls to be made correctly and consistently. Here you will run into more gamesmanship, so explanation of calls should be limited to occasional stoppages where sincere bewilderment is evident. These players likely are not planning to go to college and play soccer, but with the age of the players, tempers can get up and they can be much more wild then their skilled counterparts, so the referee should be proactive in making sure they don't do anything stupid.

Skilled-older players are the ones that want to play at a high level in the future, so the more "professional" we can make the environment the better. However, these kids also have better coaches who will do anything to win, so we must be on top of any sort of gamesmanship on the parts of both players and coaches. They are old enough to be physical and hurt someone, but unlike the unskilled players, they are clever in how they do this and do not want to hurt their team by being sent off. These players should know all the rules at this point, so I think our teaching in this area should be almost non-existent. However, we must be both physically and mentally prepared for these matches, as they will likely be high level and high speed. We also want to insure that we make calls that are in line with all the directives given in the LOTG and ATR, so that these kids can expect law interpretations to be equal across the board regardless of who is refereeing.


These are just some of my initial thoughts. Feel free to rip me apart on them :).

[refontherun]

I've been asked to give a talk to our local club (to young referees and coaches all in one) regarding how referees impact or should impact player development. I must admit, going in I am a bit cynical on this topic, as I feel the main player development should come from coaches with referees focusing on doing their job and preserving the good of the game, but I do understand that young referees who referee U-littles do and can have a major impact on a players development. Anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

In my experience, you are dealing with a touchy subject. On the one hand, most U-little parents really appreciate it when you talk to and guide their kids in a positive way on the field. Coaches, on the other hand, give mixed signals. I have made some well meaning instructional remarks to kids with the intent of making the game more enjoyable for everyone, only to be told later by the assignor/referee coordinator that a coach had complained.

One thing to remember is, when you say something to a child on the field, the message that gets passed on the coach later may be totally different. Just an example: A player in a U-10B game would receive the ball from kick-off, dribble to the goal and score. After seeing this about five times in the first three minutes of the game, before the next kick-off, I suggested to the lad that he "might want to pass the ball this time". Later I was asked by the coach why I had told his son he could not score anymore.

Before we get into whether what I said was appropriate or not, it just shows how your words can get misconstrued by younger players.

[Ref Flunkie]

In my experience, you are dealing with a touchy subject. On the one hand, most U-little parents really appreciate it when you talk to and guide their kids in a positive way on the field. Coaches, on the other hand, give mixed signals. I have made some well meaning instructional remarks to kids with the intent of making the game more enjoyable for everyone, only to be told later by the assignor/referee coordinator that a coach had complained.

One thing to remember is, when you say something to a child on the field, the message that gets passed on the coach later may be totally different. Just an example: A player in a U-10B game would receive the ball from kick-off, dribble to the goal and score. After seeing this about five times in the first three minutes of the game, before the next kick-off, I suggested to the lad that he "might want to pass the ball this time". Later I was asked by the coach why I had told his son he could not score anymore.

Before we get into whether what I said was appropriate or not, it just shows how your words can get misconstrued by younger players.

Excellent point, and something that will be worth mentioning to the group. I agree with you that "instructions" are a catch-22, which is why I would probably stick with rule instructions/suggestions vs. tactical suggestions.

[bluedevils]

my first thoughts are:

1. it's nice the local club is asking a referee for his 2 cents on this topic; and
2. i don't see how this could be more than a 3-5 minute presentation at the most.

there really isn't a whole lot to say. one other point i didn't see mentioned earlier is this:

the referee encourages player development by ensuring a safe environment in which the players can exhibit their skills. if the ref lets the enforcers beat up on the skilled players, then the players will not develop as much from a technical standpoint because they won't be able to do things on the field and they will stop trying to do certain things for fear of getting cracked/whacked/etc by the enforcers.

[Ref Flunkie]

my first thoughts are:

1. it's nice the local club is asking a referee for his 2 cents on this topic; and
2. i don't see how this could be more than a 3-5 minute presentation at the most.

there really isn't a whole lot to say. one other point i didn't see mentioned earlier is this:

the referee encourages player development by ensuring a safe environment in which the players can exhibit their skills. if the ref lets the enforcers beat up on the skilled players, then the players will not develop as much from a technical standpoint because they won't be able to do things on the field and they will stop trying to do certain things for fear of getting cracked/whacked/etc by the enforcers.

Great quote, and I agree that this will NOT last very long (like I said in my original post, I feel that our job is to run the game fairly, and if we do, then players will develop). I am somewhat cynical about this topic because this is a young referee/coach group meeting and I feel that I should present information to help the REFEREES develop, not to help the referees develop the players (recall that most of these referees are teenagers or younger). I will likely make a comment about this in my presentation.

[DWickham]

USSF's coaching division has published reports on the need to develop players who can be creative on the ball and the dilemna between tactics to win today's match vs. developing younger players. This is a great tie in for a referee's discussion on trifling and advantage.

Most coaches want players in trouble to pass the ball or gain the free kick and set play after any foul. In the short run, this leads to more goals. Development of players, however, may require that the player learn to use and play through fouls. To develop, their insticts need to be to try for the goal when there is a foul, and not to stop playing and expect a whistle.

When referees call fouls quickly, the players (and their parents) and coaches are happy. But, do the referee's calls impede the player's development. Referee's are trained to consider trifling infringements based on the players' current skills - should we consider the player's needs at the next level?

The normal use of advantage is sparing in the defensive third, rare in the middle third, and favored in the attacking third. Is this the opposite of what development in the modern game requires? Where players are overcommitted, the quick outlet from the defense can lead to scoring opportunities. However, since younger players are more likely to lose the ball, advantage in the defending third is something that few coaches want. In the attacking third, fouls called near the penalty area allow for set plays and a greater chance for goals from the free kick specialists. To whose development do we "advantage" when we make the foul/advantage decision there?

Finally, many clubs are placing high level coaches (the ones who used to handle the u16/u19) at the U10/U12 divisions in the hope that teams will be created who have played together for 5 or 6 years. This has changed how the players train and learn the game, but we still put our youngest and least experienced referees at the u10/u12 divisions. We have to prioritise where our best referees are assigned, for we have too few to cover every match well. Should we reconsider how we assign referees, with a greater priority at younger rather than older?

[Ref Flunkie]

USSF's coaching division has published reports on the need to develop players who can be creative on the ball and the dilemna between tactics to win today's match vs. developing younger players. This is a great tie in for a referee's discussion on trifling and advantage.

Most coaches want players in trouble to pass the ball or gain the free kick and set play after any foul. In the short run, this leads to more goals. Development of players, however, may require that the player learn to use and play through fouls. To develop, their insticts need to be to try for the goal when there is a foul, and not to stop playing and expect a whistle.

When referees call fouls quickly, the players (and their parents) and coaches are happy. But, do the referee's calls impede the player's development. Referee's are trained to consider trifling infringements based on the players' current skills - should we consider the player's needs at the next level?

The normal use of advantage is sparing in the defensive third, rare in the middle third, and favored in the attacking third. Is this the opposite of what development in the modern game requires? Where players are overcommitted, the quick outlet from the defense can lead to scoring opportunities. However, since younger players are more likely to lose the ball, advantage in the defending third is something that few coaches want. In the attacking third, fouls called near the penalty area allow for set plays and a greater chance for goals from the free kick specialists. To whose development do we "advantage" when we make the foul/advantage decision there?

Finally, many clubs are placing high level coaches (the ones who used to handle the u16/u19) at the U10/U12 divisions in the hope that teams will be created who have played together for 5 or 6 years. This has changed how the players train and learn the game, but we still put our youngest and least experienced referees at the u10/u12 divisions. We have to prioritise where our best referees are assigned, for we have too few to cover every match well. Should we reconsider how we assign referees, with a greater priority at younger rather than older?

You want to give this in my place? ;) Thanks good stuff.

[bluedevils]

...
In my opinion, the answer to most/all of the questions you posed is, 'no.' As referees, we are officiating one particular game. It is not up to us, nor can we do our job right of officiating the game at hand, if we try to call the game in such a way that benefits the players' technical and tactical growth in the long term. We are referees first and foremost. We educate where we can and where appropriate, but that's it.

This is the same as dealing with misconduct -- we deal with it in this particular game. We cannot try to reach beyond that when making our decisions. All you can do is show the right card (or no card at all). It is up to others -- in this case, the competition authority -- to decide what other action to take.

I'm all for playing devil's advocate, and I do so often on these forums. But in this case, I don't think your argument has much momentum.

[NHRef]

I think you actually need two talks:

1) for the u-littles, often times all of the refs, players, coaches AND parents really don't know what's going on. The refs are new and shy and cautious. At this level its a great place for the ref to start developing his "style" by talking to players. We teach the refs hand signals for example a CK. Well the ref of a u-little game does that signal and all the players and many parents and coaches look at him thinking "what's that mean". The ref can help the development of all involved by getting use to talking. Use his voice, say "corner kick red team" (yes many times you need to say what team). Talk to the kids on every foul or non-call etc. Educate them

2) For the older kids, they need to learn that the ref is a field condition and not worth whining about. I am coaching my sons HS team indoors this winter. They are a good team, but if they feel slighted by a ref, they just get down on that and whine then blame that for loosing. Sorry folks, same ref is for both teams and the players need to learn to adjust to the ref and play the game! Just like a field condition, a puddle on the field, well don't try and dribble through it, adjust your game to go around it! Same with a ref, if you have one who is calling a tight game and you are a physical team, you need to adjust. If you have one that is not calling anything unless you go down, then don't fight through every challenge (we actually had one of these, he played advantage if you didn't go down, no matter what happened next, the other team started going down right away and they got all the calls).

Both sides the players need to develop, just what the "develop" is is totally different.

[DWickham]

While I raised questions for the talk, I don't believe I gave answers. For what they are worth, here are my thoughts:

The mark of an experienced referee is in what the referee doesn't call. The spirit of the game calls on us to ignore the trifling and the doubtful. But, we should base our decisions on what these players actually can play through, not what they "should" be able to do. We should not be quick to assume that the young players can't, and doubts should be resolved in favor of letting play continue (despite the calls from parents and coaches.) But, true advancement of the skills should happen on the training fields, with the guidance of the coaches.

Advantage is a team concept, not an individual one. We should allow advantage when the infringed team may benefit, even if it doesn't benefit the individual player who was fouled. Thus, we should not consider the development needs of the individual who was fouled in deciding whether to allow advantage.

I disagree, however, with the notion that the referee should only consider the game (doing the least necessary today) and ignore the Game (doing what is necessary for the sport.) To me, the difference is that some things that may not matter for the game (a first yellow card in the last seconds of a match, a sendoff offense in a match with a lopsided score) do matter greatly for the Game. The decisions of the referee, in the long run, may have far less impact on player development than the things listed in the USSF papers (too many tournaments, too many substitutions, too few ball skills, etc.)

We teach and influence through every one of our calls. We need to be able to quickly recognize the special few players who have the potential to become great athletes, to protect them from vicious fouls, to let them learn to play through fouls, and to guide them to use their skills with respect.

YMMV.

[Doug the Ref]

I've been asked to give a talk to our local club (to young referees and coaches all in one) regarding how referees impact or should impact player development. ...

Plenty of good ideas above. My suggestion is in how we impact player development. SMILE! :) The whole issue should be about enjoyment. We should impart that feeling of enjoyment to the players. If they enjoy their time on the game field with us, hopefully they will develope that same attitude and share it with the next game. Maybe, just maybe they will think about becoming a referee. :) ;)

[andymoss]

As others have said, it should be split, at least in two, maybe more.

And developmental input from a referee should, nay must, be of a technical nature, not tactical.

At the rec level, judge who needs advice, either at a team or individiual level, and give it - kick-offs, IDFK, throw-ins, pass back to keeper, etc.

At the select level, for younger players, I mainly assist only with throw-ins and the lifted foot. If a GK doesn't leave the area, I'll explain, etc.

For older select players, "advice" will be more of a why-I-called-it-this-way, to better educate the player on what a referee see's and the reasoning behind the calls or no-calls.

A game is a practical lesson opportunity, and if we can assist, even in the smallest way, to develop our players, as players and children and young adults, then why not.

But don't tell # 3 to pass to # 7; he's wide open.....

If it works in the moment, then take the opportunity, in much the same way as praising a great shot or a nice save.

[Wreave]

Flunkie,

I like your quadrants.

One thing that you might touch on is the realm of what's generally not acceptable for referees. In general, any tactical advice before the fact is a bad idea.

There's a difference between "You've got space" and "that was a nice run, #4".

In general, tactical comments, even after the fact, could conflict with coaching. You may have thought the cross was a great idea, but coach may have been trying to teach this player to hold the ball longer. Skill commentary, however, is far more acceptable, again, after the fact. "That was a great first touch, #3." "Good shot, #2."

As I said above, though, I think referee responsibily for player development is first and foremost with the laws, with skill being a distant second and tactics a very very very distant third. By helping players to understand the laws, referees do their part to create better players.

[macheath]

This is a talk both for young referees and for coaches? What an opportunity! Tell the coaches not to abuse young referees, and to keep their parents under control, even if they get excited over a calll, or even if the ref gets a call wrong. And tell young refs to be clear in their calls, run and keep up with play, use proper signals, blow their whistles loudly, and to be in charge of the match, etc.

Young refs are unlikely to be working advanced games, and much of the discussion thus far has been about more advanced players. Emphasize a few points, and repeat them often.

So with young, inexperienced players (and refs), I go with the group that has been advocating short, clear explanations. (You can't run over the opponent to get to the ball; you can't block the opponent's throw-in, etc.) and also non-calls (not a foul, accidentally hit his hand; no foul, they both were going for the ball at the same time, etc.). And tell young refs to be proactive (keep your elbows down, both of you, etc.) As a ref, I think you must avoid tactical advice (pass the ball, spread out more on defense, etc.)--that's not in our purview. You can say supportive things (nice shot, etc.) but be sure and do it for both teams if you're doing it.

[Rufusabc]

I have always thought that comments to a particular player (great, shot #4) could be misconstrued by opponents, coaches, and fans. So, I don't comment.

I am vocal at all levels of play especially with the younger players. It is for the benefit of the players first, then the parents next, and finally the coaches. I announce goal kick as well as point, I say the color of the uniform for throws as well as direction. I think it helps move the game in the right direction.

About pre-season talks, I give you legendary Nottingham Forest Manager Brian Clough who warned his players never to confront referees because in all the years he had been playing and coaching he had never once seen them change a call due to an argument.

R

[Sandcrab Margarita]

One thing you might address, especially for younger players, is "a day in the life of a referee." This topic would take some of the mystery out of what we do. I'm sure younger players are unaware of the pre-, mid- and post-game duties we undertake, so that perhaps they can become aware of our larger purposes, especially about what we do to make sure a match is safe & fair.

Another angle which might be useful for players at all levels is to discuss non-calls or situations such as when the CR waves off an AR's offside flag, or when a CR applies advantage to a foul. Again, this is casting more light upon the mysteries.

If there are parents in the audience, so much the better.

Younger players might also benefit from a discussion of restarts, keeping distance from throw-ins & free kicks, & keeping the game flowing. Too often, in my view, players are constantly looking for an edge for their team, when the sporting aspects of the game may be more important.

SM

[spectre013]

Something I have been doing for a while now that I see as a big positive is scrimages.

I will get a hold of our local club and have them tell the coaches that I am avilable for scrimages.

One this helps me get some whistle time before the season starts. two during a scrimage when you see a players actions or make calls they can be explained a bit more then during a game and it benifits coaches players and any parents that want to listen in as well.

my 2 cents

[Tarheel Ref]

Development of players, however, may require that the player learn to use and play through fouls. To develop, their insticts need to be to try for the goal when there is a foul, and not to stop playing and expect a whistle.

I actually started using this almost exact quote (the last line) in my pre-game instructions for the players in one of the adult leagues I work after being frustrated with seeing trifling or light fouls that could be played through but the players simply stop playing and start screaming and complaining blah blah you know what I'm talking about. I finally started telling them to at least give me a couple seconds to consider the advantage situation before they start their bitchin' and try to score a little more and maybe complain just a little bit less.

You'd be amazed at the response. After the first time I told the players this I worked one of the best, most hard-fought competitive matches I'd seen in that league...only one yellow card and not for dissent.