What to do when opposing players are talking to each other after a play, and you can’t hear what is being said?
Your physical presence is essential. Move toward the players and make your presence known verbally.
Always be a positive influence. Stay calm and don’t fuel the tension with accusatory words. We want to de-escalate conflict and not add to it.
Instead of using negative language, tell the players what you want to see.
Instead of “Knock it off!” we can say, “Let’s play with sportsmanship gentlemen,” or “The play’s over; let’s get back to our huddles.”
Don’t be quick to throw an unsportsmanlike conduct flag. Simply saying, “Scoreboard!” doesn’t warrant a flag. If a player taunts, curses, uses insulting or vulgar language, hurls ethnic slurs, or uses inappropriate gestures, it is a foul (Rule 9-5-1).
In Colorado, any use of ethnic slurs directed at an opponent is an automatic ejection. (Check with your association leadership to determine your state’s non-contact ejection standards.)
By rule, any physical contact is a personal foul, not unsportsmanlike conduct (9-4).
Remind the players they are not allowed to confront the other team. The same applies to the coaches on the sidelines. They cannot address opposing players unless they are congratulating or encouraging them.
We should assume the exchange is unfriendly until the players separate or we can hear them. Sometimes players are having a rational conversation. Sometimes players will appear to be antagonistic, but they are friends and are just joking with each other. That’s why approaching a perceived conflict with positive words is essential. If we go racing in with condemning statements, we will look awkward and may lose some credibility.
By the way, don’t allow coaches to yell at each other across the field. Sometimes during a blowout, frustrations will boil over and coaches will yell insults across the field. Stop that immediately and award the coaches with an unsportsmanlike conduct flag if it persists.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s). (Choose all that apply.)
Team A is in the “swinging gate” formation to attempt a try. Which statements are TRUE concerning this play?
- The snapper must face Team B’s goal line
- The snap must be between the snapper’s legs
- The snapper can lift the ball and then throw it overhand in two distinct motions
- If the snap first touches a Team A lineman, the ball is dead
- The snapper can be an eligible receiver
Review Rules 2-32-14, 2-40, 7-1-4, and 7-5-6a