Behind Enemy Lines: Communication

Hey there FPFers, this article clearly won’t be as fun as DPI and OPI, but we will do our best to bestow some information on ya regarding communication.  We did have a bit of a soapbox on Objectionable Conduct in a past article where we attempted to articulate that we are humans and different officials may have different standards when it comes to something like unsportsmanlike conduct – but today we’ll try and talk more about how we can communicate to come to a better understanding.

There are a few things we need to clarify before embarking on this journey around communication.  There are differences between rules based questions and judgement calls.  Most of you dislike the writers’ judgement, and we very much appreciate that – but sadly there is not much to discuss beyond what we perceived to have happened and how that could differ from your perception of the events.  Note the careful selection of the word perceived…

What you need to know – you have the right to 1 technical timeout per game, where a player who is calm and wanting an explanation can ask the game officials a rule-based question and get a satisfactory answer.   Request these, and use them when appropriate.  We are human and make mistakes, so the odd time this may be beneficial, but also for general understanding of the unique FPF rules…just think what a better understanding of the rules could add to your team’s strategy… Important to note is that the officials are required to stop the game clock, so make sure that the officials have done so before embarking on the conversation.   Keep in mind that these timeouts are to explain an FPF rule, and not to debate the merits of the rule.  For example, a player’s belt is across the goal line but the ball isn’t, you can request a technical for an answer as to what constitutes a TD.  The officials would then explain that for a score to be made, both the ball and the flags must enter goal.  When everyone is satisfied with the rule, time is started and off we go. 

All we ask is that the technical is requested by a calm player capable of having a discussion.  In the heat of the moment, the player(s) directly involved may not be best suited to hear an explanation.  Football is an emotional sport, and we understand that, but please do your best to be respectful.   You will get a better explanation and information if you approach the situation in a respectful manner.  When a player disagrees with the official’s judgement, asks for a technical and then proceeds to debate if the call was correct, quite frankly we are just wasting time and energy.  Please don’t be surprised if a technical is refused, or if the clock continues to run or is restarted, if the discussion is about judgement instead of an explanation of the rule.  If we stick to facts, we may end up agreeing to disagree but at least there will be a constructive exchange of information which we very much encourage.  After all, it is these conversations that we take back to the rules committee to optimize rules and interpretations, so everyone wins… even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment. 

Much like players hate penalties being called on every play, officials find it hard to communicate with players that ask for a penalty on every play; partially because it is absolutely impossible to have a penalty on every play.  We try and build credibility with the FPF Universe (see what we did there) by being consistent, open, and respectful.  There is no worse way to lose credibility than to ask for a call, or dare we say, beg for a penalty, every play.  That is the type of communication we want to try and avoid when possible.  Use your technical timeouts for rules explanations, feel free to ask questions and even disagree, but for the enjoyment of all involved let’s keep it quick, concise, fact-based and cordial. 

Another form of communication is the interaction between opponents.  Every game, every team and every match-up is different so there is no single formula to write.   The editor in chief, our very own president Rob absolutely hates the trash talking.  It does add a little “je ne sais quoi” to a game, but there is a fine line between friendly banter and the $hit hitting the fan.  Please understand that this is a recreational league and that trash talking must be kept to a minimum.  As officials, we try and be preventative and put a lid on things before it gets out of hand – but sometimes we have to rule with an iron fist.  We don’t like doing that but when we must we will, so please listen to our warnings.  Also understand that at times, there can be no warning…

Game temperature is something that we gauge constantly.  In a competitive match-up with emotions running high, there may be a certain standard for communication between teams.  Now there is a line that can never be crossed – anything racial, religious, related to sexual preference or aimed at alienating a group of people will be met with a penalty and potentially a disqualification.   Aside from these, in a game where the temperature is such that the game is a play away from turning into a Spielberg Jurassic Park scene, the tolerance level will be much lower.  We aren’t telling you this information to test the waters and see how far you can go – but rather to educate your teams on when to settle down and keep to football to avoid getting OCs and potential suspensions for a cumulation of fouls.   We have players coming to us telling us hey, we are one OC away from a suspension, take it easy on me.  In response, let’s suggest that you have gotten to this point because you don’t understand where the line is, so please learn before you get another