A referee's phrasebook - World Squash Federation

A referee’s phrasebook
(created dby Ian Allanach)
What to say and when
The “accepted” explanations
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Why 1
• Player is entitled to a brief explanation
• Guideline G19 : “may be appropriate to
explain the decision…..referee may give a
concise explanation….”
• Agreed phrases offer consistency to players
• A timely response gives players confidence
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Why 2
• Agreed phrases prevent awkward referee silences
• Agreed phrases stop referees “making something
up” in heat of moment
• A timely response shows referee knowledge,
understanding di and control
• Agreed phrases show consistency among referees
• Of particular help to those for whom English is not
their first language
g
3

And in 3 referee system
• The giving gof explanations by central referees can
vary. Matches run more smoothly when you do.
• Silence or “We are agreed” etc does not come
across well
However
• This phrasebook actually help referees arrive at
their decisions
• The phrasebook then provides the short clear
explanations
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Decisions and phrases
• We will look at each of the interference
decisions in turn
• Possible explanations are listed
• Advice : practice saying these in your head
or at home. Not only to get phrase right but
to get tone right. You will sound really
confident (and correct)
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“No let” decisions 1– request
made by striker
• There was no interference
• Interference was minimal (and did not prevent you
getting to and playing the ball)
• You made the interference or you played the man,
not tthe ball or you were tki taking an indirect idi tline to
the ball
• You would not have reached that ball (players do
not like this one)
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“No let” decisions 2 (cont)
• You were not making every effort to reach the ball
or you need to make more effort to play the ball
• You accepted the interference or you went past the
interference and could have played the ball
• The ball was past you or you were not in a position
to play the ball
• It was a winning shot ( by your opponent)
7

“Stroke” decisions – request by
non-striker(unhappy at stroke)
• He had no shot to the front wall
• You made no effort to clear or you were
unable to clear
• You prevented your opponent’s swing/shot/
winning shot or you were in his swing or
you are crowding your opponent or you must
give your opponent freedom of swing
8

“Yes let” decisions – request
from striker (looking for stroke)
• You had room to play or your opponent was clear
• Interference was some distance from ball
• There was interference on your swing/shot – it was
not prevented
• You were still preparing your shot or you had not
fully prepared
• The ball was too tight or you could not have played
a winning shot
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“Yes let” decisions – request
from non-striker (unhappy at
let)
• There was interference(contact)
• There was interference on your opponent’s
swing
• He would have reached the ball(but for the
interference)
• There was a fear of injury or it is a safety let
10

Caution
• Try not to personalise explanations or imply
negatives in player’s game e.g.
• “It was a poor shot”
• “You were too slow”
• “You are not that tall” (on a lob)
• “You made the wrong choice of shot”
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Confirming calls
• If questioned about an out, down, not up, etc.
• Play a let if genuinely unsure
• Use phrases such as “I saw the ball good,
down, out”, etc. – better than ” It was out,
down”, etc.
• “I saw it good” – who can argue
12

Player views
• If both players agree a ball was up, down, etc.,
accept it, thank them, and alter a call if necessary.
• If, after giving an interference decision eg “stroke
to …”, players say “we are happy with a let”, do
not change the decision – better to say “Thank you,
but as referee, I saw a stroke situation” ti – and dthen
stick with your decision
13

Communication with players
• Acknowledge the points being made eg
• Mr A – I saw the contact but it was minimal
• Mr B – I hear what you are saying but it is a let
• Mr C - I understand the point you are making - I
am watching
• This shows you are aware and helps player
communication and confidence
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The perfect pitch
• A combination of tone, confidence, courtesy, eye
contact, smile, nod of head – that says “that’s the
decision and trust me, it is correct”
• Easier to adopt when eye contact possible – hard on
microphone
• But – don’t say it too fast or too short – you know
the phrase – players on court may struggle to hear
eg “There was room to play” rather than “Room to
play”
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Follow up
• Have the phrasebook in print
• Practise
• Remember the tone – factual and confident
• Do not get drawn into debate – repeat phrase eg
“Why a let” - “There was room to play” – “Sure”
– “Yes” – “Room” – “Yes – there was room”.
(better to repeat than an immediate”Play on
please”).
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And now
• Comments
• Questions
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