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Sep 10, 2007
"ZERO TOLERANCE" Policy!
FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE SHORE SOCCER OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION POLICY ENTITLED "ZERO TOLERANCE". IT WAS DEVELOPED WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SHORE CONFERENCE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS LIAISON COMMITTEE. IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF ALL ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AND SOCCER COACHES WERE PROVIDED WITH A COPY.
Shore Soccer Officials Association
Zero Tolerance
Over the past few years, there is a perception and reality that some coaches' behavior has crossed an important line and is detrimental to soccer at the Jersey Shore.
This memo deals with improper or bad conduct on the part of a member of the coaching staff. Normally, it will be the Head Coach. However, sometimes it may be an assistant coach.
These thoughts deal with both prevention and treatment of a problem that has impacted all of us as officials. That's why we all need to treat the problem in a uniform and professional manner.
QUESTION? What should an official do when a coach approaches or perhaps encroaches into areas that impact negatively on SSOA officials?
ANSWER-The "Three Step" approach
1. The "That's Enough" or "You've had your Say" step.
If a coach insists on making disruptive, sarcastic, or "unsportsmanlike" comments that are directed to you, to an opponent's coach, or to an opponent's player, get very near to the coach and say firmly and directly: "That's enough, coach" or "You've had your say, Coach".
If the coach is violating the "coaching area" principle, tell the Coach to "Go back to the coaching area".
You may have to say this forcefully once or twice. By doing this, the
Coach will know you will not tolerate the continuance of the behavior or comments. Get very near to a coach when you make your point. Be FIRM and DIRECT. Do not shout or scream. Then move away and restart the game as soon as you can.
2. YELLOW CARD- If step one does not control the bad behavior, you need to administer a Yellow Card.
If the coach persists in the bad behavior after the "That's enough stage and the Verbal warning stage, then:
a. Stop the game
b. Administer a yellow card for "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" or “Unsporting behavior” to the offending Coach.
c. After you show the yellow card to the offending Coach, tell the coach directly, calmly and plainly that his or her conduct will not be tolerated and that if it does continue, you will not hesitate to remove the Coach from the field.
NOTE: While yellow cards are not reportable, you should inform the President that you have administered a yellow card to the Coach or Assistant Coach. This is for record keeping purposes.
The SSOA Board will be compiling relevant information and will communicate with Athletic Directors and Coaches as warranted.
3. The YELLOW/RED OPTION- If the coach will still not behave and the bad conduct persists, the yellow/red option is the greatest weapon and tool we have as officials. Don't be afraid to use it!
a. Stop the clock, move towards the coach and display your Yellow/Red Cards in the same hand.
Tell the coach that he or she must immediately leave the field.
Do not argue with the coach
Do not scream at the coach
REMEMBER: You need not report this "Yellow/Red" to the NJSIAA or our chapter Secretary, but you must report the incident to the President of the SSOA as soon as possible.
These steps are used for bad behavior by a coach that does not rise to a
RED CARD status-i.e., foul or abusive language, cursing, using the "F" word, etc. These are straight RED CARD offenses. They must be reported to the NJSIAA, our Chapter Secretary and the School's principal as per our rules.
Once you give a straight RED CARD, you cannot change you mind, re-think what happened or be swayed by any doubts. So, use the RED/YELLOW option if the conduct does not merit a straight Red CARD.
All yellow cards to coaches at all levels must be reported to Richard Hunter
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