Things that annoy me

[ExHookah]

Bryan,

Do players up in Canada have this annoying habit of demanding "a minute" every time someone picks up a bruise or wants a breather? For some reason it's entered the lexicon of players here that they can basically call for a minutes time out whenever they want.

My understanding has always been that you only stop play if there's an injured player impeding play, if he's off to the side then deal with him and let's keep playing.

I'd love some input from people on this.

 

[SimonSmith]

If it's a back I keep going. If it's a forward I'll stop at the next break down unless it's obviously serious.

 

[Bryan]

Players will try to take a knee wherever they can. I used to have this problem a lot when i first started refereeing, as no doubt you get the Mens 2nds and 3rds who aren't as fit as the 1sts so they tend to be the ones that get injured and tire more quickly. As one does higher level matches the players feign the injury less and less and just get on with it. I suspect it's b/c any glimpse of weakness may induce their coach into subbing them, or give the opposition something to focus on as they see their opposite number grab their knee in "pain". I know when I played I always hit the kid with the knee bandage on the knees as hard as I could, and would always put pressure on that part of his body when getting up off the ground, but that's just b/c I was a mean little bugger.

-Bryan

 

[ExHookah]

It's not the injury, or feigning of injury that's annoying as much as the fact that they have this impression that they are entitled to call for "a minute" whenever they feel like it. If a guy is out of breath and wants a breather then maybe he needs to play a less taxing sport!

 

[tim White]

I tend to ignore injuries during the action unless I think they may be serious. before the next play I try to analyse the importance of the injured player (scrum half or hooker say) and always wait if it is a critical player to either team. If we can get on with a kick to touch, or goal,during treatment-we do.

On the other hand I refuse to wait for anyone who needs a rest, and particularly injured players who may have had a knock but manage to get back on the pitch before collapsing. I have had coaches telling players to "lay down" hoping I will stop play to allow treatment - I do not, and I make sure everyone knows why. Players on the floor are always protected by stopping play if necessary, physios are told to come on at any time if injury looks serious and make sure they let me know. No problems so far.

 

[Deeps]

A new betes noire to add to my list. You whistle and indicate a penalty or free kick and hence the side to whom it is awarded and then some smart alec on the opposite side takes a quick one and hares off until you call him back. I used to think 'stupid idiot' and just tut, tut. Now I call it time wasting and advance the penalty 10 metres. Any other suggestions?

 

[Number8]

Fortunately, more and more teams in New England are showing up with trainers/physios. I look for them before the game, and tell them, the coach, and the captain: "When one of your men (women) is injured, get out there and attend to them. At the next stoppage, we'll take a minute for you to decide the player's fate -- play on, sit on the side getting treatment, or be replaced."
Last weekend a Div II college team showed up with a training staff of 4 and a huge luggage cart of supplies. I went over to talk to them, and almost before I'd started they held up their hands, "We know. We'll get right out to 'em..."

What usually needs to be emphasized is that "the minute" is for the captain to make a decision about what his player is going to do next; it's not a stoppage for treatment.
[Slight revision, due to re-reading:

5.4 TIME LOST
Time lost may be due to the following:
(a) Injury. The referee may stop play for not more than one minute so that
an injured player can be treated, or for any other permitted delay.​

So, at the end of the minute the decision is expected. ]

Of course, there will be no stoppage for the penalized team at a penalty re-start, unless the injured player is immobile somewhere where he's likely to get run over...

 

[OB..]

Good start.

First time - admonishment. Second time - formal warning to team. Third time - yellow card.
And the 10 metres.

 

[ExHookah]

What usually needs to be emphasized is that "the minute" is for the captain to make a decision about what his player is going to do next; it's not a stoppage for treatment.

Any chance we can get some kind of a clarification out to the teams about this? They all seem convinced that they have a divine right to their "minute" calls, and make out as if I am doing something terribly wrong when I wave play on.

If it's something that looks like a spinal issue, or serious bleeding, then I might stop play, but if it's someone rubbing his ankle I'll keep them playing, and will tell them to get on with scrums/lineouts etc.

 

[Simon Griffiths]

I've always said that I will stop play for an injury in two instances, unless at a junior level (where we're obliged to stop). These two instances are: 1) A player is lying right where play is going - thus he is likely to be slightly more injured rather quickly unless I blow, and 2) If one part of the injured player's body is on a different section of the pitch to the rest of him (or other such serious injuries).

Quite right, I won't blow up for someone rubbing an ankle or looking longingly at their broken nail, and I wouldn't expect the referee to if it was me (luckily I've never had the broken nail situation ).

 

[Robert Burns]

Gave a team a bollocking once as I blew up because of calls of a head injury and went over to find it was a sore arm, gave the team a bollocking to which they replied, well it looked like he was holding his head. hmmmmm

 

[ExHookah]

Had two players clash heads on Sunday, and one of them looked at me and said "Is this legal? Can I play on?" when he looked like he'd been in a car crash, blood streaming down his face.

The word is that it took 14 stitches to close that one up!