Question Number: 14154

Character, Attitude and Control 10/16/2006

RE: comp Under 16

Sam of Louisville, KY USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14121

"if it wasn't for referees there would be no matches."

You guys keep saying this crap and its just not true. Most matches in the world take place with nothing more than a couple shirts down in the park and a ball. Talk about an overinflated sense of self importance.


"We do tire of those with limited knowledge attempting to influence how we behave on the field."

In this case, the ref was wrong, he cant make a spectator leave the field. And the referee 'good ole buddy' system the question describes is alive and well in youth leagues across the country.

Well put, Keith.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

From the California Youth Soccer Team Manual, Assocoation by-law:

3:08:03 Coaching from the sidelines, giving direction to one?s own team on points of strategy and position, is permitted provided:

A. No mechanical devices are used.

B. The tone of voice is informative and not a harangue.

C. No coach, substitute, player, or spectator is to be anywhere but at his/her bench area during the game. A team?s bench area shall be that area one (1) yard from the touchline and extending to ten (10) yards, one way, from the half-line only.

D. No coach, substitute, player or spectator is to make derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other players, substitutes, or spectators.

E. No coach, substitute, or player is to use profanity.

F. No coach, substitute, player, or spectator is to incite, in any manner, disruptive behavior of any kind.

The penalty for the above shall be ejection from the game and disciplinary action will be taken by the Board of Directors of this
Association.

I'll let you in on a little secret coach, when you write what you write and other referees in the world read it their opinion of you may be the same as you have of this panel of referees.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

I am sure that your obvious disdain for the referee's authority is evident at your matches. I am equally sure that such irresponsible behavior is passed on to the youth who look up to you for guidance in not just a sport, but how you deal with things when they don't go your way....I've seen 4 year olds give temper tantrums....too bad I see those same ones in the behavior of coaches, spectators and players as well.

The following exerpt is taken from the 2006 Kentucky Youth Soccer Coach's Handbook:

Coaches:

Coaches and assistance coaches are expected to maintain a higher level of sportsmanship, professionalism and integrity both off and on
the field. Coaches? primary responsibility is for his/her players to have fun, to develop soccer players and to instill a passion for the game.

Your performance as a coach is not measured in win and loses but rather in what you teaches [sic] your players in terms of technique,
sportsmanship and fair play. Coaches must maintain respect for the game as well as the referees. Coaches are charged with the
responsibility of controlling their players and parents at all times during a match. Coaches lead and teach by example; your players will be a reflection of you....

Parents:

Parents have responsibilities to the coach, team and soccer organization they are a part of. Parents/Spectators must have respect for their coach, all children on the team and the authority of the referee and his/her assistance?s.

Parents/Spectators are expected to have respect for the authority of the referee and his/her assistants. They will not harass, abuse
or berate the referee during or after the match. They shall not enter the field of play with out the referee?s permission....

The Handbook's section addressing referees is taken in part from the National Referee Handbook Policy 531-11, Part III, Subpart C
You can access this information at: http://www.kysoccer.org/coaches/handbook/handbook.html

There are Laws, rules, policies, etc. which direct every aspect of soccer. There as ways to handle referees who abuse their responsibility to the game. You sir, may want to reread that handbook (assuming of course you have read it in the first place) and understand that it has been written out of necessity to address issues from the past. Do referees walk on water. No. Are we as human as the next? Yes. It is presumptive to think that referees are at some "higher standard" because "they are getting paid." Well, we don't get paid to take abuse. The policies of your state organization prohibit referee abuse. So why is it that you expect us to suffer what is already so clearly prohibited.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Sam, you have to admit, without us there'd be no sanctioned soccer and no referee = no youth games. We put up with far too much abuse from coaches and parents and the huge majority of the time they're wrong. But... I have drawn a line in the sand with my fellow referees here in Georgia when it comes to dealing with parents. While it is true we do not have to tolerate fan abuse, there are ways to handle this. Directly confronting any parent (unless they are on the field or threatening), does no one any good. It foisters the ill will towards us that's inherent in this or any other game. Last Sunday I did a U19 girls game and managed to upset both sides coaches, parents, and players. Why? Because I did a really good job. Was one of my best games ever where I don't think I missed much. Consequently, there were calls going against both teams. I was "rewarded" for this by having parents yell things like "once the flag is up you can't wave it down ref" and I had to threaten to expell a coach for screaming at my AR. Referees in general are not sanctimonious jerks and I don't believe there are any more self inflated referees than there are coaches. You should keep in mind that we get paid very little, do what we do for the love of this game and tire from the amount of negativity that is poured on us by coaches and fans alike. Moreover, I hate to see what's happening to our kids. In many areas, kids aren't having any fun and much of the responsibility lies with the coach. Having coached, I can tell you, the parents and players will mimic the coach. I shudder at some of the misconceptions I had and lack of knowledge about the Laws. It took me years as a referee to understand the Spirit of the Law and how it relates to the Letter of the Law. Try to keep this in mind when you read our answers