Lesson learnt

[pdhmobile]

U16 top of the table clash, division 1.

Have was going ok then in a short space of time early in second half, midfielder from away team committed 2 fouls, both times going to ground.

I pulled him and had a word telling him that's 2 now, he needs to cool down.

Within 5 minutes he does another one so I caution him telling him that I warned him and he's got to stay on his feet.

My lesson is to make the reason for the booking more public, by pointing to the areas of the previous tackles because it quickly became clear that one parent in particular thought it was for the last tackle only and every tackle from the other team he was shouting why Is that one not a booking ref!!!!

 

[The Gump]

My lesson is to make the reason for the booking more public, by pointing to the areas of the previous tackles because it quickly became clear that one parent in particular thought it was for the last tackle only and every tackle from the other team he was shouting why Is that one not a booking ref!!!!

This is a good technique to use. Another option in youth football or grassroots generally with no crowd noise is to explain it (either the final decision or warning) loudly enough for spectators and/or coaches and/or other players to hear, though you have to be careful it doesn’t come across as shouting. Engineering where you “meet” the player on the pitch to give the warning/issue the caution can help in that regard.

 

[socal lurker]

caution him telling him that I warned him and he's got to stay on his feet.

Hmm. Not tracking what you told him. He doesn’t have to stay on his feet. Slide tackles are certainly legal. I’d suggest it is important to be careful with the language here.

I do totally agree with you that when cautioning for PO it is a good idea to point to the prior fouls. I’d add that when giving the warning on the foul before the caution, pointing is good, too, as it sets the stage.

 

[RustyRef]

As has been said, never tell a player he has to stay on his feet. That is a coaching instruction, can't be a refereeing one as slide tackles are perfectly legal.

 

[pdhmobile]

Yeah good points on the slide tackles.
What would you use, no more of those, that's 2 now think about it, cool it??

 

[socal lurker]

The words you use are a bit dependent on your personality/style. I think there are two goals. Don’t say anything inaccurate, don’t box yourself in.

I don’t think there was anything wrong with what you said the first time (“ telling him that's 2 now, he needs to cool down”)—he just didn’t listen and earned the caution.

One possibility is “that was another foul similar to the one over there. You need to play more under control.” It’s a true statement and doesn’t commit you to a caution on the next foul.

Another option is along the lines of “with that foul and the one back there, you’re working yourself towards a caution. Please rein it in so we don’t have to go there.” Again, it isn’t a statement that it will be a caution, but a warning that it is getting close.

 

[Kes]

One I've often used in the past is: "If you can't get the ball, don't make the tackle". Simple enough.

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

For an Under-16 player at local level, I would recommend a short and clear statement, e. g. "You're getting close to a yellow, three"