Referee shortage

[Guest]

Very frustrating, no refs available, what can be done?

[Guest]

Very frustrating, no refs available, what can be done?

Stop abusing them. It'll still take a while to renew the ranks, but it's just not worth it to them to get beat up by hysterical coaches and parents (and sometimes kids, too). This coming from a family member of mine who is a ref, and is *this close* to quitting himself.

[Guest]

As a referee, the abuse does get out of control and really needs to be reigned in especially by the parents. I will admit when I see some of the calls (more so at high school) I do understand why people get upset. In my last two daughters high school games and this is two different refs 1) hand ball was called when ball hit the girl's shoulder , not her arm but her shoulder blade. If the ref had explained it rolled on her arm it would have made sense but he explained since she directed the ball with her shoulder it was a hand ball. 2) Ref called off-sides on a throw in. the other ref had to explain it was allowed.

[Guest]

There is a national shortage of workers in every profession.

Stop paying them to stay home and they will get off their couch.

[Guest]

There is a national shortage of workers in every profession.

Stop paying them to stay home and they will get off their couch.

The ref shortage was already reaching acute level well before the pandemic. And in case you don't follow the news the payments stopped awhile ago, yet people are still quitting jobs they hated, that didn't pay well. They're re-evaluating what is important to them, what they want in life. Same with refs. It's a hard enough gig as it is but some can only take abusive sideline behavior for so long.

[Guest]

As a referee, the abuse does get out of control and really needs to be reigned in especially by the parents. I will admit when I see some of the calls (more so at high school) I do understand why people get upset. In my last two daughters high school games and this is two different refs 1) hand ball was called when ball hit the girl's shoulder , not her arm but her shoulder blade. If the ref had explained it rolled on her arm it would have made sense but he explained since she directed the ball with her shoulder it was a hand ball. 2) Ref called off-sides on a throw in. the other ref had to explain it was allowed.

With so few refs out there you take you is available. It will get worse when the high school season is over and clubs need refs for all those U15-19 games.

[Guest]

Stop abusing them. It'll still take a while to renew the ranks, but it's just not worth it to them to get beat up by hysterical coaches and parents (and sometimes kids, too). This coming from a family member of mine who is a ref, and is *this close* to quitting himself.

All three of mine did/still do. One only does rec games for the wee little kids. They're cute and the parents aren't as nuts. They got fed up with anything older than U9.

[Guest]

Refs are paid well by the parents on the sideline for their role in the game and they should be held accountable just like anyone who is hired to perform a duty.

[Guest]

Refs are paid well by the parents on the sideline for their role in the game and they should be held accountable just like anyone who is hired to perform a duty.

There is a big difference between being "held accountable" through the proper channels, and getting followed to your car after a game while being verbally abused and physically intimidated. Most people would quit their jobs in a workplace atmosphere like that. It is for reasons like this we have a shortage. Get control of yourself.

[Guest]

I have four close friends who have been refs for 20+ years and they all claim that parents are no worse today than they were 10-15 years ago.

[Guest]

Stop abusing them. It'll still take a while to renew the ranks, but it's just not worth it to them to get beat up by hysterical coaches and parents (and sometimes kids, too). This coming from a family member of mine who is a ref, and is *this close* to quitting himself.

This! Treat them with kindness—coach, parents, players. Many are older retired men that love what they do but aren’t perfect. Others are young adults or even college kids. Give them a break- or we won’t have anyone!!

[Guest]

With so few refs out there you take you is available. It will get worse when the high school season is over and clubs need refs for all those U15-19 games.

Agreed refs make bad calls, it's inevitable and for the most part they are trying their best to get them right. But they have to know the rules of the game.

[Guest]

There is a big difference between being "held accountable" through the proper channels, and getting followed to your car after a game while being verbally abused and physically intimidated. Most people would quit their jobs in a workplace atmosphere like that. It is for reasons like this we have a shortage. Get control of yourself.

You're such a drama queen, Karen.

[Guest]

Agreed refs make bad calls, it's inevitable and for the most part they are trying their best to get them right. But they have to know the rules of the game.

You also need to be patient with the ones that are still learning. Becoming a decent ref takes some time. They get minimal training and are thrown to the wolves pretty quickly with little oversight.

[Guest]

Very frustrating, no refs available, what can be done?

Become a referee yourself? I did and you quickly learn that it’s not as easy as it looks from the parent seats.