A couple of incidents....

[deusex]

I have to say if a player is leaving the pitch already and heading for the changing room/car park I'm not running after him to show a card. I'll explain to the captain he has been sent off and will explain the circumstances in my report. I've had several instances of not showing the red card in my career. Didn't change much.
A player that tries to mug me off by blurting out his name and running off will be allowed to get 10 yards, before I call him back.
I will then ask for his 2nd name, if he walks away I will allow him to walk 10 yards then call him back.
I will then ask for his first name, if he walks away I will allow him to walk 10 yards then call him back.
He trudges back, I wait for as second or two, saying absolutely nothing and then show him the card.
I haven't budged from my position, he's been made to look quite stupid and I've made it clear I'll be in charge during cautionings (Note: I'm only a d*ck like this to players that are d*cks to me first. I'm not an arse).

 

[CapnBloodbeard]

Secondly, if you've aked a player to play the ball back to the keeper at a drop ball, and they refuse, how do you handle it? On Saturday I had to accept it. It was the away sides most beligerent player, self styled hardman, who refuse. As we were then lining up to actually contest the drop ball he made a stupid comment about a second player not being ten yards so as I then leaned forward as if to make this player retreat I craftily dropped the ball when hardman wasn't watching, and in his panic he fluffed it out for a throw not five yards away!!
Small victories!!!

This is why you should try to get the keeper to release the ball first so the DB isn't around the goal. You can't prevent somebody from participating.

Best advice? Drop the ball to the keeper before the opposing team realises what you're about to do. Don't give them the chance to contest it.

I can understand the concern. However, as it has been stated, it is our job to show that the player is being sanctioned (be it yellow or red). Even if it seems "inflammatory", it needs to be done, and professionally since that's how we maintain our image.

Showing the card is separate to the caution/send-off.

 

[DanCohen17]

Pet hate of mine is seeing referees show a card to a player who has his back to the ref, walking away.

I was always advised, more so once I hit supply level, to do it a slight angle and not directly at their face, as it could be inflammatory. For 2 seasons, my supply league's assessor's were VERY insistent on it! Over 2 years, I had 10-12 assessments and it was mentioned in at least 7 of them (I will add, only the first one of the 7 had it as development point, the rest complimented my use!)

Does the same apply if you're showing red? I personally prefer a player to see the yellow, but if I'm sending them off, I'm more than happy to see them going in the right direction before I can get the card out.

I, personally, agree. If he's clearly walking off, knowing and understanding (although probably not accepting why!) he's been dismissed, let him go and don't create something out of nothing. Unfortunately, I do disagree with Brian on this (although fully understand where he's coming from and the point he's making)

Because that's what the rest of us do, the 99% of other users on this forum who also referee on their own. Do your job properly.

Retain contact with the player until you have displayed the card. If he walks away, ask him to turn around and look at the card. If you have handled the dismissal appropriately, then it's not going to be inflammatory. Don't raise your voice, make eye contact with the player, remain at least 5 feet away from the player, preferably at an angle and not directly face to face, ask for their name, tell them they are being sent off, raise the card in the hand furthest from the player in a smooth motion (not thrusting it in his face or towards him), hold it there for one-two seconds and lower it slowly again then ask the player to leave the field.

As I said above, I'd disagree about the calling back of dismissed player leaving FOP. However, for young/new/up-and-coming officials, please read and take note of BH's last sentence. That, right there, is an excellent way to remove potential inflammation!