Help Stamp Out Referee Abuse
John Barnes, our Chappaqua AYSO Referee Instructor has just graduated a class of 20 new referees. Most of these are young kids, aged 12 and up. Many thanks to John and congratulations to the new refs. You'll probably see many of the new graduates on fields this weekend.
Unless you are offering to run a sideline, referees do not want or need your help in making calls, even if you think the referee did not see a foul or made the wrong call. As coaches and parents, your behavior towards referees will be a model for the players. If your team suffers a setback resulting from a call, let your coach help the team refocus. Don't interfere with the referee while she's doing her job!
Often parents, and even some coaches, are not as well versed in the Laws of the Games as the referee. For instance, a ref might not blow the whistle if the team that was fouled maintains control of the ball. Additionally, many parents don't fully understand the offside rule, or the hand ball rule. Sometimes coaches and parents don't see what the referee sees from his or her perspective on the field, and yes, sometimes referees do make mistakes. Tough calls are part of the game. If a referee makes what in your opinion is a bad call, let it go. Get over it. If a coach or parent does get out of line (and it does happen, even in Chappaqua), it's part of the coaches' job to control their sideline. Offenders can be asked to leave the game and if necessary, referees can stop the game, too.
Let's keep in mind that more than anything else, the kids on the field are there to have fun. The referee's primary responsibility on the field is to keep the game safe, fair and fun. Let the kids have fun and the refs do their jobs without your interference.
And remember to thank the referee after the game!
Unless you are offering to run a sideline, referees do not want or need your help in making calls, even if you think the referee did not see a foul or made the wrong call. As coaches and parents, your behavior towards referees will be a model for the players. If your team suffers a setback resulting from a call, let your coach help the team refocus. Don't interfere with the referee while she's doing her job!
Often parents, and even some coaches, are not as well versed in the Laws of the Games as the referee. For instance, a ref might not blow the whistle if the team that was fouled maintains control of the ball. Additionally, many parents don't fully understand the offside rule, or the hand ball rule. Sometimes coaches and parents don't see what the referee sees from his or her perspective on the field, and yes, sometimes referees do make mistakes. Tough calls are part of the game. If a referee makes what in your opinion is a bad call, let it go. Get over it. If a coach or parent does get out of line (and it does happen, even in Chappaqua), it's part of the coaches' job to control their sideline. Offenders can be asked to leave the game and if necessary, referees can stop the game, too.
Let's keep in mind that more than anything else, the kids on the field are there to have fun. The referee's primary responsibility on the field is to keep the game safe, fair and fun. Let the kids have fun and the refs do their jobs without your interference.
And remember to thank the referee after the game!
posted by David at 2:32 PM
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