Recent content by markrwms

When I first started coaching (an Under 8 team), I attended a First Aid course which was run by a prison officer. He asked the group how many of us would wear gloves or take any protective measures if one of our players was bleeding? The answer of course was "None of us" because we know the...

Surely, it's a caution for "descent"!! Boom! Boom!

Sadly SM, this is the inevitable result of; A) Managers who don't want to publicly criticise player failings. Similarly, they won't praise the opposition for being better than them. The solution? Blame the ref! B) TV coverage ( started by Sky but adopted by the others) which HAS to have...

You claim for both parts of the journey; there and home.

I'm surprised how many people have seen the tackle as worthy of a red card; I see it as a clear yellow and that's sufficient Whilst there appears to be minimal contact between the keeper and the referee, it is totally unacceptable for the keeper to put hands on the referee in a threatening way...

My take on these challenges is fairly straightforward. If two players are chasing the ball and competing for the same space, I'll allow them to use their body strength provided it is shoulder (or upper arm) to shoulder (or upper arm). If a player has control of the ball and an opponent barges...

It may be contentious, but I'd say "Yes". My view is that he's been convicted and done his time. He therefore has a right to get on with his life.

This is what RefChat is all about! Simple, useful explanations and advice. Thanks

I was quite pleased with myself when one eejit kept shouting over and over "there's two teams on the pitch, ref!" My response was "There'll be one less on the touchline if you don't shut up!" It raised a laugh and kept him quiet

I think the point Anthony makes in the latest post is absolutely vital for any pre-match "chat"; give yourself "wriggle room". Do not say, if "x" happens, I will do "y" because you'll create a real problem for yourself. Limit yourself to saying what you want (e.g. No swearing at an opponent)...

Apologies to Herts Finest, who raised what I'm sure was a genuine concern. However, this must be my favourite thread of all time! :-)

Or is it?

Haywain, the logic behind my comments to managers is that the majority of problems DO start on the sideline and can escalate if it sparks a slanging match. The idea behind saying "tell me" is that we nip such issues in the bud. There have been issues in the Swansea league in the recent past...

This season, I've been doing a pre-match talk to the teams at Junior & Youth level. Briefly, I introduce myself; tell them that "I'm not perfect but I will be fair; what I see I'll give, what I don't see I won't give." I then remind them to play to the whistle and not stop playing if they...

As someone who coaches an Under-18 youth side, the proposed change that caught my eye concerned substitutes in "amateur or recreational" matches. At the moment, over the age of 16 it's the normal "maximum 3 out of 5" subs. Hopefully, the variation will allow local leagues to vary this and use...