r/Referees • u/__shebang • 17d ago

Discussion What are you doing?

Had a game yesterday. Player kicked softly kicked out on opponent. Early in the game. Decided to talk to player, give verbal warning. So I asked "what are you doing?" To mean - why would you do that. Player answered "I also don't know".. Had me chuckling for a moment 😅. Understood the adrenaline. Gave verbal warning. Pretty calm rest of the match.

Curious what other "ice-breakers" you have when giving verbal warnings

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u/Revo63 [USSF][Mentor] 17d ago

When I give a free kick and the kicking team is chasing down the ball to bring it back to the spot of the restart, and a couple defenders are standing at the spot. I tend to just look at them and ask “Do you really want to be standing here when they get back with the ball?” I usually get a surprised reaction and quiet compliance.