First rule is to know the rules

Woodburn player Gavin Scott showing skills not typically seen in men’s 5th division in a game against Goonellabah. Note that he is also wearing red “skins”, which is the correct colour for his team as it is the same as the predominant colour of the shorts.

Every sport has a set of rules that set out what can and cannot be done. Few people take the time to read or understand the rules, despite players and spectators becoming weekend experts in which their opinion is given loudly and critically.

I have been involved with many sports and each one of them has its own peculiarities and tolerances – and all create periodic frustration for players and spectators alike.

Perhaps the most common complaint directed towards referees and sports administrators is related to rules that are “silly” or are “not applied consistently”.

Such observations are sometimes justified, however, it is easy to be critical from the sidelines, or even as a player, if you do not know the rules yourself.

The rules of a sport “are” the rules and whilst we may think that they are unfair or do not make sense, we do not have the discretion to accept the rules that we like, yet disregard those that we do not. When the referee blows the whistle, we may not like it, but can expect they have seen something that needs to penalised or requires play to be stopped.

As far as “consistency”, we all want this. While our referees are constantly under the pump for seemingly not applying the rules equally to both sides, my observation is that players and coaches themselves can create this environment.

I offer two examples for consideration. Firstly, the rules relating to jewellery and the wearing of “skins”. The laws of soccer are quite clear and prohibit any player from wearing jewellery. This means that “taping” is not allowable on rings or piercings, so getting upset because the referee asks you to remove a nose stud is asking the referee to ignore a law of the game. The wearing of “skins” is allowable only where they are of the same colour as the predominant colour of the shorts and the referee is supposed to enforce this rule.

Second, the technical area can be used only by players or team officials. This area is not for parents or other spectators, for all competitive competition. Every week these rules are flaunted by many people and efforts to enforce the rules are considered as draconian or “only” applicable to premier football.

We all want consistency of the laws of the game and whatever our role may be, we are also required to play our part by understanding the rules or letting those who do adjudicate accordingly.