Coach to referee communication is an excellent subject. Here are my thoughts as a coach who occasionally referees.
Coaches my not realize that they are communicating with the referee throughout the match by the actions and attitude of the players. Here are some points worth covering:
1. Verbal abuse of the referee. Never. Ever. If a coach hears it, even if the referee ignores it or is unaware, he needs to act. Temporary time off or substitute.
2. Dissent. Pointless and distracting. The decision has been made and the player’s responsibility is to prepare for the next event. Captain, step in and take charge.
3. Eye rolling, head shaking and muttering. A common form of dissent and absolute poison. Coaches, have your players imagine themselves as a team leader and at every decision a member of your team acted this way. How would they feel? How would they react?
4. Running commentary. Please, STFU! The referee doesn't need your help. Save your breath and focus on the game.
5. Perceived wrongs by the opponents not caught/punished by the referee: A single occurrence? Ignore it. The referee may not have seen it, it may not have been a law violation, he may have deemed it immaterial, or he may be playing advantage. Either way, get on with play.
Repeated offences by the opponents: Players, speak to your captain. Captain, judge for yourself as to how repeated/important it is. If you wish to raise an issue with the referee then do so politely, privately and at an appropriate break in play. There is also a right way and a wrong way.
Wrong: “Hey ref, watch the holding on at the tackle.” Implies the referee has a vision problem.
Right: “Sir, May I have a word? Our guys would like a quicker release at the tackle, please.”
Wrong: “Ref, you’re letting them feed it” Implies bias.
Right: “Sir, can you be very strict on the feed, please. We’ve been working on taking it against the head.”
Wrong: “Ref, they’re offside at every ruck!” Implies general incompetence.
Right: “Sir, they seem to be getting the jump on us at the rucks. Can you be extra vigilant regards offsides, please?”
6. Players, read the referees signals and listen to his words. React accordingly. Note the recent USA vs. NZ match in Chicago. USA offside at the ruck, no advantage accrues, PK awarded at the point of the original offense. Referee clearly signals the offence and the PK. The USA just stands there, no reaction, no retiring for 14 seconds! NZ take a quick tap and score in the corner. Had they not scored I would have expected the PK to moved forward 10m.
Coaches can set the tone with the referee in the following ways:
1. Have the pitch correctly lined, pads and flags in place, ropes to keep the throngs at bay. This is a responsibility, not an option.
2. Have your players there on time and correctly kitted.
3. When the referee arrives greet him and introduce yourself. “Welcome to Cowpasture. I’m Chuck, Chuck Wood, coach of the Ramblers” This is an invitation to be on a first name basis. This familiarity may be accepted by the referee but any communication during the match begins with ”Sir.”
4. Ensure that he has a place for his kit and refreshments. Have any required paper work ready.
5. Agree on the time for PMB, stud, jewelry and underwear check. I like this at least 20 minutes before kickoff to allow uninterrupted warm up and run through. I expect all players to be there kitted up and ready 30 minutes before the match.
6. If there are some unorthodox aspects to your game it’s better to cover them now. Example:
“We like to use three man line-outs. The receiver steps in to a gap to be lifted, the player not lifting steps out to be the receiver so we keep the LO numbers at 3. We will use this configuration unless 10m or less from their goal. Then we’ll use 7. We do this to get a tactical advantage not to get a numbers FK”.
7. If you have player concerns such as an inexperienced front row player then raise it now.
During the match, keep quiet, take notes and focus on the actions of the players, not the referee. If you have issues with his calls raise them through your captain.
Be positive example for the supporters. Be willing to shut up the loudmouth. Let them know that they are not helping, they are distracting, they are a bad example for the players and to tone it down.
After the match thank the referee for his time and effort and invite him to your social. If you have questions or comments ask him to give you a minute once you've debriefed your team.
Above all, be polite and positive.
