Officials as players

[CJRef]

In my six years of working JV/Varsity I think I have talked to a designated captain only once or twice. I will listen to any player that addresses me respectfully and has a concern that they want me to pay more attention to. I don't think that I would ever speak with any player (captains included) about a kicked call or "mis-application" unless it is something we corrected or it was a confusing situation. And at that point, I think I would take the conversation to the coach.

It's good that they don't identify themselves as officials. I would stop listening to them even faster than when a coach says "Well I'm an official too and....". I guess if anything, I would say that their "knowledge" would best be used to educate their teammates and probably even the coach rather than engage the officials working their games.

[Big2Cat]

I officiate and still play in leagues. The only things I would ever bring to an officials attention are fixable things. For instance, we had an official blow his whistle on a loose ball (inadvertant), then tried to pretend it didn't happen, then tried to give it to the team that was closer to the ball.

Also, they might do other procedures incorrectly, and I will ask about those things--and don't feel bad for doing so. The handbook says that coaches, players, and officials should all know the rules. Nothing wrong with pointing out a specific rule.

Now, I don't go overboard with it, and I certainly don't get into judgment calls. If he says it is off me and I didn't touch it--nothing I can do about it. (Although if he says it is off the other team and I touched it last, I can tell him that.)

Anyhow, it is knowing what things they can bring up and what they can't. Most players don't know the rules, even the most basic things, so it would be a shock to an official that a player actually knows the rules. It is all in what is brought up and how. Leave emotions out if you disagree.

[coach41]

I also still play in leagues as well. One big difference in the leagues I play in are that we don't have many "professional" referees. The leagues have players ref the games instead. It's not to save money, but really to have players learn how hard it is to ref so they will WHINE less.

Personally, I think it's funny that I'm considered the "professional" ref in the leagues I play in. I consider myself just your regular "average Joe" ref. However, I guess in sheer numbers of games worked, I am a professional ref.