POST PANDEMIC REFEREEING

 Proper Pre-Planning Prevents Poor Post-Pandemic REFEREEING …

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.”  Max Ehrman, Desiderate, Circa 1920  

A meeting or casual discussion with referees is usually not complete without comments or concerns about coaches and spectators yelling. It goes without saying that when one becomes a sports official, hearing coaches and spectators yelling is inherent to the avocation.

Officials need to understand the dynamics of the game at hand and determine why a coach may be yelling.  Not ALL yelling may be directed at the officials.  Some coaches may find the need to “yell” at their own players in order to motivate them, give them instructions to prevent further mishaps, or to praise some good plays.

Yelling at officials may carry different messages.  It can be a question: “How could number four be called offside?”, a critique: “How can you call a foul and take away our advantage?”, or support: “Good call, ref!”.

Yelling, in and by itself, should not be considered a criticism of nor a personal attack on the official. Due to the distance involved coaches may see the need to raise their voice in order to be heard.

Coaches who constantly yell may find that the officials, and in cases their players, will eventually shut them off and no longer hear them.  (READ MORE)  …