But Didds, some children need prompting to say "please" and "thank you". They're kids ... and some have very few social skills; that doesn't make them bad. In some instances I can see a benefit, especially if combined with some humour as Browner suggested - just to difuse a situation and where a bit of mutual saving pride was needed.
Why would prompting a kid to act like an adult be patronising? In fact it would probably make them feel more grown-up.
Hi Taff - clearly some don't get the 'Gist'
some of the replies indicate 'officialdom on legs'
No-one said it was law ! ....... No-one suggested it's a flawless approach
Last week I reffed a game, the team losing 55-0 eventually won really fast ball at a ruck for a rare change! ....the opposition pointed out 'head injury sir' , quick glance I agreed - so i stopped the game ........... then in the spirit of the game we restarted with a free kick to the NIL team.....yep my suggestion-accepted universally as good thinking .... in law? - no!, in spirit of the game-yes!
Learning how to work with referees, and to adjust to their [sometimes localised] interpretation is part of the 'learning' of the game [very very very important in young players IMO] to help avoid the confrontational 'Football' style aggression toward 'sir'
Personally I will do whatever i can to help young players learn about "channeling aggression" and "respect for officials" ........ persuading a young man to accept 'unequivocally' whatever sir says , will IMO help him in life in general
Imagine a world where
....teachers can't ask kids to hand over the knuckle duster because there is
nothing in the school handbook that says you can't carry one.
...or police officer says c'mon lads ....stop being disrespectful to that old age pensioner....only to hear that "No! - there's no law against disrespecting the old bat "
.... or the employment world where the boss asks someone to do something they don't agree with or understand or want to do
We have the best sport in the world IMO for many reasons, social/opposition interaction/respect/friendship/touchline humour all feature heavily in my tick list....
'Respect for the man is the catalyst for everything else that follows ......[and that includes touchline berating] .If I fail every assessment ever it matters not to me, I won't compromise the belief that - doing whatever SIR asks - even if he's clearly wrong or you don't like what he's asking, is a generally good good thing for ruggar in particular & society's benefit generally.
If anyone searches "referee attacked" on you tube you'll see
all the sports where 'respect for authority' is diminishing .... the motorised wheelchair occupant who drives his buggy at the referees shins is a unusual example!!
For the avoidance of doubt, I can be a black & white ref if i choose . . . . & likely I will if & when I decide to climb the Levels. but lets remember rfu participation = c. 700,000+ in the uk .... 98% in schools and at grass roots clubs .... Not professional clubs !
& for those 98% participants 'sir/madam' is central, unpaid & always a volunteer.
handshakes?....if sir asks for it - yes please ....... a symbolic act of respectful compliance
xx
Ruggar a lifestyle choice