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Pre-Match with Coaches

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Samuel

Samuel

Well-Known Member
Level 4 Referee
Had my first game as a L4 last night and realised I didn't really know what to say to the managers when doing the team sheet exchange, purely because I'm used to just having them appear in the changing room. Found myself a bit lost for what to say.

What would you recommend saying to appear like you know what you are doing?
 
The Ref Stop
Samuel said:
Had my first game as a L4 last night and realised I didn't really know what to say to the managers when doing the team sheet exchange, purely because I'm used to just having them appear in the changing room. Found myself a bit lost for what to say.

What would you recommend saying to appear like you know what you are doing?
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There will be mixed views I’m sure, but to keep it as simple as possible. Once you have looked over the team sheets and assuming all is fine eg no clashes of kit, captains highlighted, subs and club reps included etc, then you can just say all is fine with the team sheets, your AR xx will be manning the Technical Area, but he/she is not a punchbag, so please be respectful towards him/her as he/she will be towards you. If you have anything you wish to query, then so long as you are respectful, then I am happy to see you x mins after the game.
 
Less is definitely more. I’m not saying grab the team sheets off them and shove them out the door, but they’re unlikely to care what you had for lunch. I was always taught to speak to the manager or member of dugout first, then tell them they’re free to leave if they like. As David said, introduce yourself and the AR who will be on dugouts. Feed subs via them, no more than X standing and so on. Then do your bit with the captains. More often than not, the managers will disappear as soon as they can. And definitely don’t do what one bloke I used to sometimes end up out with would do and start hugging everyone. No one wants to be hugged in a small dressing room that smells of Vicks.

One little tip before the team sheets are even exchanged. Pop your head into the changing rooms beforehand (Knock first, of course) and have a look at the kit hanging up. There’s a good chance you’ll spot a potential kit clash even before team sheets are done. Saves you a headache later on and makes the clubs think you’re that little bit more switched on. Same goes for jewellery checks and under shorts etc- scout them out during your warm up. They may well take them off after the warm up, but it’s something to be mindful of.

Additional tip…… keep hold of the team sheets and put markers against the players in case you ever have them again. E.g captain was great/useless. Joe bloggs- mouthy until cautioned and so on.
 
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Runner Ref said:
Additional tip…… keep hold of the team sheets and put markers against the players in case you ever have them again. E.g captain was great/useless. Joe bloggs- mouthy until cautioned and so on.
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Could be a little awkward if there is a dispute over eligibility though and you are asked to submit your copy 😂

I used to keep it as brief as possible, the managers don't want to be there, you don't really want them there, and if the captains have to come in you'll be talking to them before the toss anyway. Introduce the team, say who will be bench side and tell them go go through him or her for subs, ask them for their help in keeping the benches tidy and comply with standing rules, and ask them if they have any questions.
 
Samuel said:
Had my first game as a L4 last night and realised I didn't really know what to say to the managers when doing the team sheet exchange, purely because I'm used to just having them appear in the changing room. Found myself a bit lost for what to say.

What would you recommend saying to appear like you know what you are doing?
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Nothing.
 
This is a topic that varies hugely from league to league. It’s really good to know what the coaches are used to, and also know the “best practice” without going over the top - especially if you aspire to keep going higher.

I always make sure I cover any topics and any Q&A the same with both coaches - to avoid any traps (if a coach asks how to legally take a corner, yep, I will explain to the other coach the same answer. It’s fair and avoids tricks destroying match control in that 1 in a thousand matches!).

I think it’s good to start with the briefest human something: small talk, like good journey, good result last week, something that shows you are engaged and doesn’t need an actual conversation.

Technical things about that match really depend on the league/competition, stadium, any special laws or new guidance.

This season we are now applying the “only the captain can question the ref” guidance. So I mention this to every coach pre-match - in a human way - we are learning this too, we don’t want to give unnecessary cards, the chiefs are trying to clean up the spectacle etc. Basically buttering them up in case of a dissent card later;)

There are youth leagues I do where the coaches want a longer chat, they want to be asked if anyone has any special equipment to be checked (like a cast), the technical area markings are clear, we have enough mins before the match for line up and photos… they train 5 times a week, there’s a big staff, they have probably travelled with a big group of families, a longer briefing is right for them as it’s part of a special event.
 
JamesL said:
Do they? Thought they were obsolete now, you dinosaur 🦖
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I did a comp and until as late as 2017 they submitted handwritten teamsheets in a form booklet with carbon copy papers for three copies.

Most of 20 somthings don't even know what a carbon copy paper is.
 
one said:
I did a comp and until as late as 2017 they submitted handwritten teamsheets in a form booklet with carbon copy papers for three copies.

Most of 20 somthings don't even know what a carbon copy paper is
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Hahaha.

We're still doing our post match reports and team sheets in grassroots and FA Comes are still being done this way.
 
JamesL said:
Hahaha.

We're still doing our post match reports and team sheets in grassroots and FA Comes are still being done this way.
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Down here in Hampshire we gather at sunset in Big Hole Cave on the first full moon after solstice to see what Great Chief Ug-ug has painted on the walls in cow poo what our cup final appointments are.

Looks like Wildebeast United are on for the treble.
 
But onnnnnn topic… you’ve been an AR on that league, what did your Refs say?

Hi chaps, nice day innit, captains are Sam and Bob, colours, keepers, yeah cheers all good, Dave here will be bench side so him for subs, buzzers at 2:53, any questions, nah cool, all the best, see you in an hour
 
FirsFox40 said:
you’ve been an AR on that league, what did your Refs say?
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Strangely enough, my mind has decided to forget pretty much everything that was said pre match. That might be down to the previous 4 weeks worth of games all getting called off though.
 
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