Referee Report Writing

1. Referee Report Writing

2. Video - Fights Compilation

3. Referee Report Writing • At the end of this session you will… • know why you must submit a report • understand the different types of reports • the three components of a report • be provided with sample language for reports

4. Referee Report Writing What is the most important thing that you need to know about writing a report? Knowing the… Laws of the Game!

5. Referee Report Writing It is your duty The Laws state that the referee must… “provide the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match.”

6. Referee Report Writing WHY DO A REPORT? To enable the relevant authority the opportunity to deal with the individual, club official, club etc. So that the appropriate form of punishment may be placed on the person or team appearing before the authority. Collie Salmon – November 27, 2007

7. Referee Report Writing • WHAT SHOULD THE REPORT CONTAIN? • Game and Player details • League Information (OYSL) • Game Number • Date and Time of Game • Field • Team Names • Player Information (name/OSA No.) Collie Salmon – November 27, 2007

8. Referee Report Writing • WHAT SHOULD THE REPORT CONTAIN? • A detailed account of what occurred • Logical sequence • All pertinent details Collie Salmon – November 27, 2007

9. Referee Report Writing • WHAT SHOULD BE SAID? • Only things seen by you as the Official or that is conveyed to you from an Official Assistant Referee • Stick to the facts • Don’t guess at what might have happened. • Ensure it is grammatically correct • Have a friend of another referee read your report before submitting it. Collie Salmon – November 27, 2007

10. Referee Report Writing • THINGS TO NOTE? • Remember the report goes to a number of agencies (League / YRSRA / OSRA / OSA) • Make sure the report is correct in Law • A poorly written report will allow the perpetrator to get off • A poorly written report will reflect on All referees

11. Referee Report Writing WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPORTED? a) Cautionable offences b) Sending off offences c) Any other general incident or misconduct [by players after a match has ended, by club officials (including coaches, trainers, etc.) or by spectators] d) Referee Assaults

12. Referee Report Writing • DETAILS - FOUR PART STORY • The referee must report on the: • “Incident” • Describe what the player/person did? • “Impact” • Describe the Effect/Result that the incident had (on the player/victim/game) • “Punishment” • Describe what action you took against the offender. • “Restart”

13. Referee Report Writing The “INCIDENT” "Johnny Rotten of the Red Team deliberately tripped an opponent.”

14. Referee Report Writing The “IMPACT” - "thereby denying the opponent an obvious advantage" or - "in an unfair contact that was very late/very high/very rough/crude/provocative/dangerous," or - "without any attempt to play the ball."

15. Referee Report Writing The “PUNISHMENT” " …he was cautioned in the 23rd minute for unsporting behavior." Note any other pertinent information about what occurred or didn't occur.

16. Referee Report Writing The “RESTART” “I restarted the game by awarding a direct free kick to the Green Team."

17. Referee Report Writing SUMMARY "Johnny Rotten of the Red Team deliberately tripped an opponent without any attempt to play the ball. He was cautioned at the 23rd minute for unsporting behaviour. I restarted the game by awarding a direct free kick to the Green Team. There were no further incidents."

18. Referee Report Writing The Report should also include the seriousness of the offence Minor? Careless Serious? Reckless Life Threatening? Excess Force

19. Referee Report Writing • EXAMPLES • 4 Cases of Kicking/Tripping: • Player # 9 of the blue team carelessly kicked the attacker while challenging for the ball causing the attacker to fall. • Player # 9 of the blue team tripped the attacker in the middle of the field with no intention of going for the ball. There was no G.S.O. • Player #9 of the blue team tripped the attacker by hooking his foot in such a way to bring the attacker down in order to eliminate a breakaway, thus preventing a G.S.O. • Player # 9 of the blue team kicked #10 of the opposing team on the back of his leg while the ball was not in play. • Help the Discipline Committee by drawing a picture of the incident with adjectives

20. Referee Report Writing Leaving the field without permission "Approximately 8 minutes after the start of play, Joe Adonis, #15 of Golden Hairdos left the field of play, apparently to take off his gold neck-chain. He did so without the permission of the referee. After the ball went out of play over the goal line and was last played by the Hairdos, Mr Adonis was immediately cautioned and shown the yellow card for leaving the field without permission. Play was restarted with a goal kick and there were no further incidents."

21. Referee Report Writing Dissent "In the 37th minute of the game, I penalized player Brad Smith, #23 of the Kickaroos after he had deliberately kicked an opponent. He threw his hands up in disgust at my decision, for which he was promptly cautioned for dissent and shown the yellow card. Mr. Smith was further advised that if he received a further caution, he would be sent off. I restarted the game by awarding a DFK to the opposing team. There were no further incidents."

22. Referee Report Writing Persistent Infringement "During the first half of the game, I had reason to speak with Sandbag Charley, #4 of the Beach Emeralds, after he committed three fouls. During the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half, he deliberately held an opponent by grabbing his jersey. I immediately cautioned him for persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game and advised him that he would be sent off if he was to receive another yellow card. I restarted the game by awarding a DFK to the opposing team. There were no further incidents."

23. Referee Report Writing Serious Foul Play “At the 73 minute of the game, while the # 9 of the attacking team was dribbling with the ball just outside of the penalty area, # 4 of the defending team recklessly struck him in the mouth with his elbow. I immediately stopped the game and sent off the #4 for serious foul play. I was 10 yards away from the incident and had a clear view of the foul. Mr. Attacker was treated off the field because he was bleeding from a split lip. Mr. Attacker later returned to the field after his injury had been bandaged. I restarted the game by awarding a DFK to the opposing team. There were no further incidents."

24. Referee Report Writing Special Incident Report At the 79th minute of the game I had sent off the #10 of the Red Team and # 7 of the Green Team for fighting. Before the restart could take place several players from each team began to push each other around. Then the #6 and #7 of the Red Team and #2 and #4 of the Green began fighting (punching and kicking) each other. A male spectator entered the field and involved himself in the melee. This spectator was approximately male, 35 years old, white, 5’-10” and had what appeared to be a strong English accent. He was wearing a red jacket with an Arsenal crest. I was unable to get his name but I believe he was associated with the Red Team as he was defending the #7 of the Red Team by verbally (swearing) and physically (pushing) the two players on the Green Team.

25. Referee Report Writing Special Incident Report The coaches from both teams entered the field and after approximately 7 minutes were finally able to calm things down. All of the above players were sent off the field of play for violent conduct (separate Sending-Off reports are attached). The situation remained volatile, as several players from both teams continued to yell at each other. At the 86 minute of the game I decided to abandon the game to maintain the safety of the players. If the game had continued I believe further incidents would have occurred. The coaches were quite helpful in getting control of the situation and agreed with me that the game should not continue. I asked the coaches to separate their teams to each end of the field. The Red Team left the field first. After they had cleared the parking lot the Green team left the field. Both coaches were co-operative. There were no further incidents. I had two Assistant Referees who will be submitting separate reports.

26. Referee Report Writing • SUMMARY • Referee Game Reports must be professional, concise, and complete. • Diagrams /drawings should be included when necessary to provide a complete description of an incident.

27. Referee Report Writing • Finally… • Assistant referees must submit a report. The report should be consistent (not necessarily the same) with the referee’s report • Remember that each incident meriting a report must have a separate report; two players who are sent off means two separate reports. • The report is filed within forty-eight (24/48) hours. • If the report contains foul and abusive language a precautionary warning on the cover letter or on the outside envelope.

28. Referee Report Writing • RESOURCES • YRSRA Website for Forms – www.yrsra.ca • YRSRA Referee Handbook • Halton Branch Referee Report Writing Guide • OSA Website/Referee/forms