On game day, coaches are not the referee’s friend; but neither are they their enemy. Coaches want to win. We get that. But they also value a well officiated game, played by the rules, which gives their team a fair chance to be successful. This is the only part that concerns the referee. Here are three guidelines for working with coaches.
Greet the Coach Make your greeting before the game brief. Look the coach in the eye, shake their hand, introduce yourself and wish them good luck. And that’s all you need to do. Don’t get chatty. They are not there to get to know you, or to tell you about their season. Make your introduction and get on with the game.
Hear the Coach During the game, the referee should hear the coach and if appropriate respond to what they have to say. If the coach voices a complaint that has merit, listen to their concern. It may not change anything, but at least they will feel that you are not ignoring them. The idea is not to let a minor frustration become a major disagreement later in the game.
Explain the Call At times, it is OK for the referee to explain a call but don’t make it a clinic. Sometimes a simple, “I’ll keep an eye on that one, coach,” goes a long way. Or perhaps, “I had a great angle on that play, and I didn’t see it that way” works as well. Then get the ball back into play and move on. Under no circumstance should the referee argue or debate with a coach. Coaches can accept your answer without agreeing with you. We can live with that. And if the explanation affects both teams, be sure to speak to both coaches and give them equal time.
As a referee dealing with coaches, hear them and explain when necessary. But always keep it brief and to the point. Then keep the game moving forward.
