Gamesmanship 3/06/2014Copyright 2004 - R. Baker GDSRA2 What is Gamesmanship? Using ploys that are contrary to the spirit of the game in order to gain.

GamesmanshipGamesmanship

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What is Gamesmanship?What is Gamesmanship?

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

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Gamesmanship occurs when a Gamesmanship occurs when a player:player:

attempts to profit from an unfair advantage attempts to profit from an unfair advantage or,or,

disguises an unjust act done on purpose or,disguises an unjust act done on purpose or, commits any unsporting act executed in a commits any unsporting act executed in a

sly way contrary to the ‘spirit of the game’ sly way contrary to the ‘spirit of the game’ or,or,

resorts to psychological intimidation against resorts to psychological intimidation against his opponent…his opponent…

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Gamesmanship brings the game Gamesmanship brings the game into disrepute by not respectinginto disrepute by not respecting

the opponentsthe opponents the referee’s decisionsthe referee’s decisions the game itselfthe game itself

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WinningWinning

Sportsmanship has less importance than Sportsmanship has less importance than winning in today’s societywinning in today’s society

The attitude that “I’ll do whatever it takes The attitude that “I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team win” is prevalent to help my team win” is prevalent everywhere.everywhere.

It is up to you as the referee to determine if It is up to you as the referee to determine if such “actions” are giving his team an unfair such “actions” are giving his team an unfair advantage and warrant ‘discipline’.advantage and warrant ‘discipline’.

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WinningWinning

Winning isn’t everything……..it’s the only Winning isn’t everything……..it’s the only thing.thing.

Vince Lombardi, Coach Green Bay PackersVince Lombardi, Coach Green Bay Packers

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WinningWinning

Some people think that football is a matter Some people think that football is a matter of life and death ……. but it’s much more of life and death ……. but it’s much more important than that.important than that.

Bill Shankley Manager Liverpool Bill Shankley Manager Liverpool

Football ClubFootball Club

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SummarySummary

Gamesmanship is a subtle ploy only Gamesmanship is a subtle ploy only punishable by the authority of the refereepunishable by the authority of the referee

Determining what is gamesmanship is a Determining what is gamesmanship is a difficult skill to learn and administer.difficult skill to learn and administer.

Examples: shirt pulling, shoving, taunting, Examples: shirt pulling, shoving, taunting, and even the goal keeper who brings up his and even the goal keeper who brings up his knee when rushing out and jumping up to knee when rushing out and jumping up to catch the ball.catch the ball.

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SummarySummary

When does it become gamesmanship?When does it become gamesmanship?

Only YOU can determine that!Only YOU can determine that!

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Let’s go through some examples:Let’s go through some examples:

Pre game ploysPre game ploys

PersonalitiesPersonalities

SituationsSituations

Post game ploysPost game ploys

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Pre game ploys:Pre game ploys:

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

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Pre game ploys:Pre game ploys:

The two teams arrive wearing the same The two teams arrive wearing the same colour strip. Both claim to have none other colour strip. Both claim to have none other available. available.

It’s “easy” for you to distinguish them It’s “easy” for you to distinguish them apart, isn’t it Ref?apart, isn’t it Ref?

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Pre game ploys:Pre game ploys:

The coach doesn’t have time to make up the The coach doesn’t have time to make up the team sheet before the game. team sheet before the game.

It’s no problem to wait until half time, is it It’s no problem to wait until half time, is it Ref?Ref?

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Pre game ploys:Pre game ploys:

The home team has a “lucky” ball that they The home team has a “lucky” ball that they always use in important games. always use in important games.

Just because it’s old and out of shape isn’t a Just because it’s old and out of shape isn’t a problem, is it Ref?problem, is it Ref?

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Pre game ploys:Pre game ploys:

Has one team greeted you warmly before Has one team greeted you warmly before the game while the other team is cursing the game while the other team is cursing you under its breath?you under its breath?

Does this influence decision making by the Does this influence decision making by the you on the field of play?you on the field of play?

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Personalities:Personalities:

the Thugthe Thug the Actorthe Actor the Helperthe Helper the Taunterthe Taunter the Jesterthe Jester the Appealerthe Appealer the Creepthe Creep

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Situations:Situations:

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

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Post Game PloysPost Game Ploys

The player who was a ‘monster’ during the The player who was a ‘monster’ during the game who comes to ‘apologise’ afterwards game who comes to ‘apologise’ afterwards for their behaviour in the hope that you will for their behaviour in the hope that you will write a ‘kinder’ reportwrite a ‘kinder’ report

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Post Game PloysPost Game Ploys

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

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Gamesmanship by officialsGamesmanship by officials

Letting the game flow to cover indecision.Letting the game flow to cover indecision. Indicating that time will be added on and Indicating that time will be added on and

then not doing it.then not doing it. Wanting to be loved.Wanting to be loved. Patronising the players.Patronising the players.

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Dealing with GamesmanshipDealing with Gamesmanship

Set the tone at the start of the game.Set the tone at the start of the game. Be wary of overly friendly coaches or Be wary of overly friendly coaches or

players.players. Keep a “book” on offenders.Keep a “book” on offenders. Show when time is being wasted.Show when time is being wasted. Catch and punish off ball offences.Catch and punish off ball offences. Be firm, but not trivial, at set plays.Be firm, but not trivial, at set plays.

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Dealing with GamesmanshipDealing with Gamesmanship

Apply a simple gesture (shaking of head Apply a simple gesture (shaking of head towards the perpetrator).towards the perpetrator).

Have a quiet word with the offending Have a quiet word with the offending player.player.

Stop play and publicly rebuke player.Stop play and publicly rebuke player. Caution the player for unsporting Caution the player for unsporting

behaviour.behaviour.

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Dealing with GamesmanshipDealing with Gamesmanship

Gamesmanship is an act contrary to the Gamesmanship is an act contrary to the spirit of the game, and is therefore spirit of the game, and is therefore unsporting behaviour.unsporting behaviour.

Gamesmanship is a cancer that, if Gamesmanship is a cancer that, if unchecked, will destroy your game control.unchecked, will destroy your game control.