Date:         Tue, 10 Apr 2001 08:43:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Ivan Mann <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Subject: The other side of the whistle
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

>I won't comment on the other referee's performance because YHTBT, but I
>will offer
>a bit of advice that was given to me a long while ago by a high level
>assessor for
>providing feedback to new referees we might be mentoring. Be positive with
>your
>statements and make your comments constructive.

I would add to this to make one or two specific recommendations that have
nothing to do with what the parents were shouting at the poor kid.

Saturday there were all the usual shouts of handball and offside - I think
we lost on an offside goal, but I was not impartial.  Anyway, on a one man
system even the best will miss some close ones and this was the kid's first
game.

After the following game I praised him (he actually did do a good job, I
thought, on both games) and pointed out one thing - after most stoppages he
signalled, walked off, and stared at the ground most of the time.  I
recommended that he keep his head up and watch the players, and told him the
old usuals about "the ground doesn't foul," etc., and then told him he had
done a good job again.

I hope it helped.

Ivan Mann
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