Open letter to all coaches (by Stanley Lover)

Home Laws Advice Fitness SiteMap Links Set Pieces Discuss Search corshamref.org.uk

Open letter to all coaches (by Stanley Lover)
You know that those errors are down to you to correct Mr Coach!
"You can't accept bad mistakes by referees."

You know that those errors are down to you to correct but, you can't accept bad mistakes by referees. It happens too often and it's not your fault. Two or three more results like that and your job will be at risk.

Dear Coach,

It happened again last week, didn't it? Vital championship points lost due to poor refereeing. How could the ref miss that handball in their penalty area? Judge that normal tackle as a penalty offence which lost you the match? And what about the offside that wasn't?
OK, so your strikers failed to put away simple chances, your right flank defenders left a huge gap for the first goal and your usually safe 'keeper fumbled the ball into his own net for the decider. You know that those errors are down to you to correct but, you can't accept bad mistakes by referees. It happens too often and it's not your fault. Two or three more results like that and your job will be at risk.
You ask, "What's being done to raise refereeing standards?"
You are right to be concerned. It's a major topic among coaches at all levels.

A different game?

Let's go to the source of the problem. What's the answer Referee?
"By the nature of our role we can't hope to please everyone. We are human, trying to be perfect in applying instant justice in fast moving situations. We don't always get it right"
"But" you reply, "sometimes you seem to be playing a different game to us".
"It may appear that way but our viewpoint is neutral. We apply the laws according to our understanding of the game and official interpretations".

"What are you doing to reduce controversial decisions".
"FIFA and all football nations are continually upgrading programmes for recruiting, training and support of referees.
Nearly every referee spends much of his spare time attending local meetings, clinics and seminars, to improve knowledge and apply required interpretations on the field".

"So, why do you make so many mistakes?"
Pierluigi Collina, voted the world's best referee says,
"I don't make any fewer mistakes than my colleagues and I cannot hide them. They were less obvious in the early years of TV coverage, when there were only two or three cameras, but now the whole field is surrounded by up to twenty. I have only two eyes. I'm always trying to reduce my mistakes".

Another FIFA official, with experience at two World Cup Tournaments recently expressed this cry from the heart,
"We need more training, support, guidance, coaching."
That, from a referee at the top, indicates the hunger for knowledge and guidance to serve the game better.

Can you help?

What else can be done? Can you help?
How? To achieve your coaching qualifications you passed an examination on the Laws of the Game so you know the basis of referees' decisions.
At whatever level you serve the game you have acquired much knowledge and experience. You are a thoughtful analyst of play, a teacher, an adviser. These qualities need not be restricted to players. You can contribute to better refereeing by sharing your know-how.

From personal experience of referees' courses in various countries the most instructive and enjoyable elements take place on the field, in practical sessions conducted by a respected coach - local, national or FIFA.
The chief instructor and the coach select topics for discussion and demonstration. These may include;

Offensive/defensive tactics in live-ball play and at dead-ball restarts.
Tactics to beat offside traps - to avoid destroying legitimate moves and goal chances.
Key players - identifying and protecting.
Reading the play for intelligent positioning.
Player management.

These sessions help officials increase awareness and sharpen observation. They generate positive exchanges, better understanding and greater respect of roles.
They also sow fertile seeds of friendship among members of the football family who share a deep passion for the game.

A phone call away from you are referees' organisations, societies, academies, and like groups, ready to welcome your expertise. Just pick up that 'phone. You will have fun - guaranteed!