Question Number: 25231

Character, Attitude and Control 7/18/2011

RE: Select/High School

Parent of Middle, Tn US asks...

This isn't really a question, but since we are so often quick to discuss the ref's actions, I just wanted to say the ref from the US-Japan game was notable for handling what could have been an overwhelming game with what seemed to be a smile and a few words. All the discussions today were on the play and players and not on the calls. Regardless of the outcome of the game, the fact she was 'invisible' makes her a good role model for my daughter who's soon upgrading from 9 to an 8 to emulate.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Thank you for your kind comments on Referee Bibiana Steinhaus from Germany who handled the game in an excellent fashion. It will give her immense satisfaction and pride that the game went so well for the referee crew with her country women Katrin Rafalski and Marina Wozniak as assistants while Jenny Palmqvist from Sweden was the 4th official.
There are many lessons in the performance for aspiring young referees and for those not so young. Like Howard Webb she has a police officer background and she referees in the 2nd Division of the Bundesliga in Germany. She has stated that her style is sometimes to makes appeals to the players, at other times using tough words, and, at times, simply with body language. For any aspiring referee working on presence and poise is well worth the effort. Having the ability to influence behaviour by the way one looks, making gestures etc is an excellent skill. Presence is a fundamental competence, and for anyone who aspires to lead, presence is essential. Poise is the ability to remain under control of our emotions, our behaviour regardless of circumstances. Top referees have a degree of invincibility and how they behave or feel is by no means determined by what is happening externally. A person who is poised totally relies on their internal state for guidance. Perhaps it is her police officer training and being placed in much more difficult situations that gives her that presence. As a life skill as well it is well worth developing.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I too thought the ref crew did an excellent job. And it always helps when the teams come to play rather than to fight.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Agreed. But did you see her face when she issued the red card for the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity? If ever I have seen a 'Don't mess with me and this game!' face, that was it. That is an inner confidence, born of experience, positioning and deep knowledge of the game.

Did you see the US referee in the third place match? She acquitted herself well, too. Lots of fine role models out there for your daughter. We wish her well in her career!