Promote respect

Only let your captain talk to the referee.

RESPECT is the big word in grassroots football at the moment. Referees and assistant referees have been getting such a hard time from the parents of young players that clubs are putting up reminders to try and curb the worst of the offenders.

Everyone expects the odd comment, but the thing I don't like about it is the effect it has on my players.

Hearing constant comments from the sidelines only gets my players to start questioning refereeing decisions rather than getting on with the game. So what I have done is try to stop the parents of my players being negative and directed my players to only let the captain question any decision on the pitch.

It is okay for him to ask the referee why a decision has been made - he is entitled to do so. But you cannot abuse or hassle the referee.

I've found it makes a huge difference to the players as well - they get up and get on with the game, which of course is to our advantage. The captain has built up a rapport with the referee we use for all our home games which helps our team and helps him referee.

Why don't you try it with your team, it will help you in the long run.

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