I would advise largely ignoring the coaches. If they're appealing for every decision, as sometimes happen, basically pretend that you can't hear them - unless they're abusive of course.
Little tips I've picked up on in the last 2 years:
- tell them it's no jewellery when you do the equipment check and be 100% on that (you will get lots of excuses)
- depending on your tolerance level, generally ignore low level dissent
- always show a yellow card if there is clear, higher level dissent (e.g. "Ref, you're having a terrible game")
- communicate well ("That's not a foul" "Play on"), but don't have long individual chats with players - they're teenagers and not good at listening
- there's often one difficult player on a team - keep an eye on them
- use your fitness to keep up with play - that way, when they contest a decision, they will realise you're 5 yards away
- when you blow for half-time, stay a long way from the touchline so angry coaches have a long way to go if they want to speak to you
- remember that you're the only one not emotionally involved in the match
- never engage with parents