Gamesmanship

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Gamesmanship
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What is Gamesmanship?

• Using ploys that are contrary to the spirit of
  the game in order to gain an unfair advantage.

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Gamesmanship occurs when a player

• attempts to profit from an unfair advantage or,
• disguises an unjust act done on purpose or,
• commits any unsporting act executed in a sly way
  contrary to the spirit of the game or,
• resorts to psychological intimidation against his
  opponent

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Gamesmanship brings the game into disrepute by
not respecting

• the opponents
• the referees decisions
• the game itself

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Winning

• Sportsmanship has less importance than winning in
  todays society
• The attitude that Ill do whatever it takes to
  help my team win is prevalent everywhere.
• It is up to you as the referee to determine if
  such actions are giving his team an unfair
  advantage and warrant discipline.

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Winning

• Winning isnt everything..its the only thing.
• Vince Lombardi, Coach Green Bay Packers

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Winning

• Some people think that football is a matter of
  life and death . but its much more important
  than that.
• Bill Shankley Manager Liverpool Football Club

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Summary

• Gamesmanship is a subtle ploy only punishable by
  the authority of the referee
• Determining what is gamesmanship is a difficult
  skill to learn and administer.
• Examples shirt pulling, shoving, taunting, and
  even the goal keeper who brings up his knee when
  rushing out and jumping up to catch the ball.

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Summary

• When does it become gamesmanship?
• Only YOU can determine that!

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Lets go through some examples

• Pre game ploys
• Personalities
• Situations
• Post game ploys

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Pre game ploys

• How many times on arrival at the field, have you
  as the referee has been welcomed, only to be
  snubbed and given a hard time after the game by
  the same people because their team has lost

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Pre game ploys

• The two teams arrive wearing the same colour
  strip. Both claim to have none other available.
• Its easy for you to distinguish them apart,
  isnt it Ref?

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Pre game ploys

• The coach doesnt have time to make up the team
  sheet before the game.
• Its no problem to wait until halftime, is it Ref?

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Pre game ploys

• The home team has a lucky ball that they always
  use in important games.
• Just because its old and out of shape isnt a
  problem, is it Ref?

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Pre game ploys

• Has one team greeted you warmly before the game
  while the other team is cursing you under its
  breath?
• Does this influence decision making by the you on
  the field of play?

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Personalities

• the Thug
• the Actor
• the Helper
• the Taunter
• the Jester
• the Appealer
• the Creep

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Situations

• Ball into touch with unnecessary force.
• Slow to retrieve the ball and restart the game.
• Hangs onto the ball at free kick.
• Standing within the ten yards at a free kick.
• Improper positioning of the ball.
• Change the player taking the restart.
• Wall infractions.

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Post Game Ploys

• The player who was a monster during the game
  who comes to apologize afterwards for their
  behavior in the hope that you will write a
  kinder report

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Post Game Ploys

• Player or team official approaches the referee
  with an overly friendly attitude, requesting that
  any cautions or sending-offs issued in the game
  not be reported.

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Gamesmanship by officials

• Letting the game flow to cover indecision.
• Indicating that time will be added on and then
  not doing it.
• Wanting to be loved.
• Patronising the players.

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Dealing with Gamesmanship

• Set the tone at the start of the game.
• Be wary of overly friendly coaches or players.
• Keep a book on offenders.
• Show when time is being wasted.
• Catch and punish off ball offences.
• Be firm, but not trivial, at set plays.

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Dealing with Gamesmanship

• Apply a simple gesture (shaking of head towards
  the perpetrator).
• Have a quiet word with the offending player.
• Stop play and publicly rebuke player.
• Caution the player for unsporting behavior.

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Dealing with Gamesmanship

• Gamesmanship is an act contrary to the spirit of
  the game, and is therefore unsporting behavior.
• Gamesmanship is a cancer that, if unchecked, will
  destroy your game control.