Handling Dissent During a PK

I know a lot of referees that use this method for dealing with dissent. The walking off the field and cautioning the player(s) that follow. Personally, it's not my style. I like to stand my ground and I am very direct about telling players to back-off. No one is going to get me to move to the goal or touchline. I do not turn and walk away nor do I walk backwards. Players need to understand that when they touch a referee or charge in a mob, they are way beyond the bounds of accepted behavior. They are trying to intimidate the official and it is a serious action and one that happens way too much at the professional level. It should be reported in the match report. I feel taking a step back tells the players they got to the referee and he had to take a backstep to escape the heat. I go where I need to and with a great sense of determination in doing my job. So when they come running up to protest the penalty I tell them I saw a clear penalty, no doubt in my mind and proceed to to get the ball to the penalty mark and restart play. The faster you get the play restarted, the less chance for things to escalate and blow out of control.

 

Isn't that redundant?

I agree with Alberto -- I tend to stand my ground and "shoo" them away. If they don't start breaking up within a reasonable amount of time or if they get too personal with their comments I'd pull a card. But that's pretty rare. I tend to be pretty patient at this point.

 

i hear what you guys are saying about standing your ground, but i think this is fairly solid advice. i would add that before taking the first walk off the field by the goal, the last thing i would do is to tell the dissenter(s) that i heard them, that i saw a clear penalty, and that i've heard enough. and then maybe do that little thing with my hands where they start touching at the fingertips and then spread open to indicate "back off" to indicate that i'm serious. then i'd take the walk.

the thing i like about it is that it tries to diffuse the situation. i suppose saying something before walking might antagonize someone wanting the last word, but at least it's a warning, and then they have to make an affirmative decision to follow if they're going to continue. if they stand still, the ref has left. if the ref stands ground, then the situation only diffuses when they walk away.

of course, every situation is different, and there may be some where standing one's ground makes sense. but i don't see walking away as a weakness. and i'm not intimdated, but rather telling them that i won't be. i'm in complete control of the situation, and i'm trying to give you (the dissenters) a way out. if you don't want it, then i'll deal with you.

 

The problem I see with this method is that it's an invitation to caution. Let's face it in the heat of the moment players will argue against the penalty, by backing off, if they follow you to the touchline or goal line you have no choice but caution. To me it almost seems like a means of baiting players and I know of several referees that acknowledge stepping off the field and then cautioning the player that crossed over the touch or goal lines. A high ranking state official stated he tells them, oh by the way you left the field without permission, and you are cautioned.

To me blech, I want to get the game restarted ASAP.

 

If they are cautioning for leaving the field without permission under those circumstances, that, to me, is blatant baiting. Can't say that I could condone or support such an action.

If you are walking off the field and cautioning for dissent anyone that carries that far -- ok, I can buy that, but I still tend to agree with Alberto -- it seems to be inviting a caution.

 

I guess I see it differently, although I would concede that it could definitely depend on the circumstances. I understand the point about the caution being for leaving the field, but in my mind it is for affirmatively continuing dissent. And, frankly, that is how and why I would give the caution (the "you're off the field" thing is just a little too cute, or perhaps obnoxious).

My point was tell them to stop, and then try to do something to diffuse. I'm not sure we're saying different things, since you want to diffuse with a quick restart. That's all well and good, if you can get them out of the box so the restart can take place. If it doesn't succeed, then it seems like this approach at least gives them one last chance to avoid the card.

 

I think the technique of walking off the field and then (if necessary) pointing at the goalline or touchline to remind the player of the boundary, is used by some if they truely believe that the player is on the verge of initiating a physical confrontation. I understand what you're saying Alberto, but if that's what it takes to keep a player from getting himself sent off for violent conduct (and the official from getting injured), it is the smart thing to do. I've only ever seen it happen a few times in person, but it worked for those officials. In each case, the official was much smaller in physical stature than the player. Normally though, I would agree that the best course of action is to stay on the pitch and quickly get play restarted.

 

Actually, I nearly always go to the goal line immediately after pointing to the spot. It gives me a chance to make sure the keeper is settled, turn and face the players, make a sweeping gesture to indicate that everyone should be out of the PA and sometimes spot the ball if not clearly marked. I have found that players may follow you for a couple of steps, but if you keep moving and make it clear that you are setting up the PK, they will usually move out of your way and not present a problem.

A couple of times players have followed me through this ritual and I have reminded them that they really don't want to be inside the PA when the kick is taken and they usually leave. In my observations of other officials, I would say it is most often when they stand still that they gather a crowd. Why face them down and risk confrontation if you don't have to. Sort of along the lines of a rolling stone.

 

It isnt baiting to caution for leaving the field. The reason you step over the line is to AVOID cautions in the first place. It is the same reason you dont stand around and wait after a goal is scored....Because if you stay there you give them the opportunity to tell you how much they hated your call.
-Get OUT of the penalty area and face the teams.
-let them know not to cross the goal line
-wait for them to clear the area(encourge them if you need to )
-enjoy the PK.

 

Re: Re: Handling Dissent During a PK

There is a sometimes fine line between "standing your ground" and daring the player to make something of it. MLB umpires crossed this line long ago. Every time I see an umpire yelling back at a manager or player or having to be restrained I want to punch Bud Selig in the nose for allowing this nonsense to go on.

The ref's body language is important in communicating "I saw it, I called it, let's move on and get the game going." I try to remain completely calm, no joking or attempts at humor, get the PK set up. I don't have rabbit ears at such times so long as the player doesn't cross the line, but my words and actions communicate that I expect the game to be restarted quickly and if the players interfere with that I will take action. I don't stand there and let them yell or even try to interrogate, I am moving and directing. Normally the offended team is quick to place the ball and prepare to take the PK so if I am in position and the team taking the kick is in position and no one of the defenders is in the box - blow the whistle and take the kick. If there are defenders whining instead of defending - too bad.

Jim