Talking to players - sending them off

AndyGaut 7
ragyrascal 5
IRN BRU 5
The.Rampage.Rado 5
Rutter 5
JiMMM 5
serbulator 4
juveniliahockey 4
shepdogg 4
Bulsara 4

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[aussieump]

It is about respect, respect for the game the player and you as an official.

Cris, I would not make a player walk 40 - 50 metres towards me just so I could have a chat and then issue the card, eg GC or a YC to send them off, it invites the player to have an opportunity to have a say, when really they do not have one. The only instance would be if I wanted to use the time to calm the game down.

Issue the card, ensure your co-ump and TO-Bench can see the card clearly. All this can be done with respect and yet ensure you are displaying an assertive manner without being demonstrative.


Just my thoughts

[foozbear]

I concur aussiump.

if you treat them with dignity...patience...and respect...chances are they will respond better.

I used to say "NO"...whenever a player would try and tell me something....I now say.."ok Ill keep an eye out for it."

I would still look out for it...but one is a lesser of the two rebuttals.

another thing to try as a player...is to calm down before getting to the umpire....if you can do that and not have fire in the eyes...you might get away with less.

dont plead innocent...say "gee that must have looked bad, you got me over here huh?" even..."was it the stick foul....im sorry about that...missed that ball by a mile.." do your best to be friendly and approachable as a player and umpire.

[Neo]

I know it doesn't help you and it's not an excuse for his behaviour, but some umpires aren't very experienced at sending players off and some people aren't very skilled at dealing with what could be a very confrontational situation and come off awkward or rude. Your feedback might be very valuable to this umpire and I hope you have a chance to present it positively in the future.

Exactly - I still remember the  firs time I gave a yellow - and it wasn't the best of interactions, but only because of the inexperience.  As umpires improve and understand the role of player management within their skill set & accreditation (and gather the experience) the management of awarding personal penalties should improve.  And the skill level of the game being officiated and the spirit with which it is being played should mean the umpire uses the most appropriate discourse to manage the situation on hand.

[controller]

I learnt my lesson very quickly in how to give a card about 20 years ago.

I was told to be polite, tell them what for and if possible smile. Now I am not known for smiling especially grin, so I am standing there, my tongue in-between my teeth and player had just got a yellow card, and he thought I was sticking my tongue out at him..........

Well, then I knew what mobility met in real terms when he started to chase me around the pitch, 


Now I follow Red's line, it seems to work.............

[Diligent]

A yellow card seldom needs much explanation. A green card is often because the player doesn't seem to know about the Rule - so a brief "That's the second/third time you... Not again!" makes it clear.

Yesterday's University game produced a classic. It's the middle of the second half and although it's 0-4, the home team are working ever harder to get something back. Two players are competing (fairly) for the ball when another comes steaming through the middle of them. So I blow the free hit and then stop time for a green. Number 9 is now moving away from the scene-of-crime and I can't get his attention. The home captain is nearby: "What's his name?" "Chopper" "Hey Chopper!". Chopper at last turns to see the green card, with the typical "What for?" face. But there is nothing to say. By now everyone is sniggering, and then Chopper has a sheepish smile, and we are all friends. No more trouble for the rest of the game, but they never did get that goal - final score 0-6. 

[keely]

I agree with aussieump and Diligent. By the time you're at a yellow card, if it's not manifestly obvious what the card is for, you haven't been communicating as well as you could have been up to that point.

I usually don't bring the player over to me whatsoever. Half the time, they're already walking towards the bench as they know. At the most, I'll say, "Sorry, off you go, please" (in a neutral tone of voice) and (try to) direct with an open upwards-facing palm to the technical bench. Then I'll pull out the card, and show my colleague the duration if necessary.

Diligent's correct - green cards are good times to try to communicate. That's what the warning is for - to deter future behaviour. Once you're at a yellow you're not deterring - you're penalizing.

[lordy]

I'm with justin's advice until the (likely tongue-in-cheek?) part about reciprocating the "bye bye".

In a calm manner, simply let the umpire know how you felt in response to his manner of speaking and choice of words with you. If you maintain the line that this is your reaction rather than "you did this, you did that" you may be able to show the umpire that his purposes weren't well-served and he'll want to do better next time.

I know it doesn't help you and it's not an excuse for his behaviour, but some umpires aren't very experienced at sending players off and some people aren't very skilled at dealing with what could be a very confrontational situation and come off awkward or rude. Your feedback might be very valuable to this umpire and I hope you have a chance to present it positively in the future.

Good advice Keely, I'll try and put it across like that, in the end it could help both of us!

[justin]

Yes, it was slightly T-I-C, keely, although my training experience has taught me that you learn more if you feel a bit of the discomfort which makes you say to yourself "I won't do THAT again!".

A dismissive "Bye, Bye!" is discourteous and unprofessional, AND usually counter-productive in the aim we should have of calming-down 'agitated' players.

Jane Nockolds said (words to the effect) "Treat them like human beings and there is a reasonable chance they will behave that way when they return to play".