Always learning

[Retrozetti]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

I'll second what Andy & Jan said about the line judges. They're an important part of our crew. When I talk to them pre-game I make sure to tell them that, and also make it clear that if they get any flak from anyone I want to know about it immediately.

I am very territorial about my Line Judges... not that I've ever had to "card" a player/coach... the verbal caution was sufficient every time. In my pre-match with my LJ's, I always include a quick discussion about handling coach/player comments, and I instruct them (especially in case they don't know the rules that protect them) that "no players/coaches are ever allowed to discuss, argue or influence your decisions, they are not supposed to converse with you at all. But matches get competitive and energy gets high, so they might try to argue a call. If they do, I give you permission to ignore them completely... just look straight up at me, because I'm probably already calling the captain over to put a stop to it. So, they're not supposed to talk to you, and you're actually supposed to ignore them and simply just look up at me. However, if you heard any comments directed to you that are bothering you, or especially are aggresive, threatening or inappropriate, tell me or the other ref immediately after the ball is dead."

I get so many LJ's that give a sigh of relief, and are actually surprised to learn how to handle those situations... they are truly unaware of "how to handle the situation." And funnier still (though not really funny), they usually start telling war stories of parents and coaches that have said some really horrible things to them.

Additionally, the BEST advice I've ever gotten was at a PAVO Line Judge clinic... and now, I "always" instruct my LJ's that if they need to report anything to me or the other referee, just walk down to the net, and act like they are straightening the antenna... that gives them a very discreet opportunity to inform the official. I like it !