Referees

[Unregistered]

As with all human communication there are two sides to the story. The rules of the game give the Referee unlimited power over a game all too often this power is abused. Sometimes this abuse is a result of their immaturity other times it is a reflection of their laziness.

An experienced official rarely loses control of the game or cannot diffuse a boisterous sideline or bench.

The rash of cards and dismissals is a reflection of both the associations attempt to crack down on what they see as disrespectful behavior and the referees thin skin.

I laugh from my belly when I hear the soccer faithful blame the parents when you can go to any other youth sport and experience the same level of disapproval expressed from the sideline and yet you don't see ejections to the degree we do in soccer. What you also don't see in those other sports at the higher levels are young and inexperienced officials calling games.

Until soccer realizes it has a problem attracting ADULTS to the profession this conversation will be on a continuous loop!

I speak as a youth referee, and will tell you I agree and disagree with your statements. I will admit to you, that there are referees who make the rest of us look bad. The ones who fail to uphold uniform or show up late or can't run the length of a sideline for 60min. And all the referee admins I work under (I work under several in the PDX Metro Area) are trying to crack down and encourage better and more professional refereeing. For example, many leagues, including rec have begun to implement fitness tests and education nights and increased referee mentoring. High School Referees especially get a bad rep in the soccer community. Is some of this warranted? Yes. But what I will tell you as a spectator, and most importantly as a parent, you should never berate, yell, or express continued frustration to an official, or any other human being, no matter what age. Are we perfect? NO. But for all the referees that try to do their best and educate themselves, they do not deserve it. And eventually, smart aleck soccer parents, you are going to lose the good referees still left.
Can we improve? Yes, and I would never tell you that we are perfect or that we have more power because I have a whistle and a referee badge I register for every year. I recognize some of my collegues aren't as up to date with the rules that they should be, but I have learned several things from working as ARs and as a center with experienced assistants, knowledge I wouldn't have accessed otherwise. But what I will tell you is that if you want quality referees, there are several things you can do.
1) sign up to officiate yourself. Attend the weekend class, take the test, work with the assignors, do it all. You don't understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes.
2) get in touch with your local assignors. You can contact Craig or Keith or Shana quite easily. Express your complaints, and bring up SPECIFIC examples. We as refs can't ask general questions about the rules of the game, we have to bring up specific issues that our mentors can help address. Again, as assignors they need specifics to be able to address people that may be a problem
3) Educate yourself and the parents around you. Just because a child is in an offsides position does not mean they will be called for offsides etc. If you know the rules of the game, share 'em. If you've got a question, consult league rules, FIFA etc., or maybe, ask one of your officials after the game. If they don't know, consult #2. If they give you a concise answer, great. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but again, no berating.
4) Yes, we get paid, but don't hold it against us. It's a tough job, because not only are you using knowledge you know, you're doing it off the top of your head, spur of the moment. Sorry guys, this isn't football with replay, or basketball with timeouts. The clock is always ticking and we are always working.
5) Please appreciate the good referees you get. Thank them after the game.

In the end, I'm not even old enough to vote, but I'm out their working and trying to learn and keep your kids safe and let them learn soccer and have fun. What I will tell you, is that several referees that are now the seasoned adults you are looking for, started out as young referees too. I've heard their stories and absorbed every tip they've ever given me. I'm still learning, and one day I hope to move up the referee ladder. Again, I will not make excuses for everyone, but what I will tell you is that as an insider, we as referees are constantly trying to improve our image and our "game". We discuss our mistakes during half time and between games, we correct issues with uniform and mannerisms, and most of all we stick out for each other. While you may groan at a young referee officiating your game, maybe you should be a little more courteous. I say this because if they make it through their first couple years of rocky experiences, eventually they are going to build up experience and knowledge, and they will begin to service you better and control the game more. I say this because over my last 2-3 years of officiating I have slowly worked my way up in level and confidence. I'm still going to make mistakes, but every game I referee (especially difficult ones) makes me a better official for the next team. Those youth referees you insist are the problem could very well be your solution, if you treat them, and those working with them, with the appropriate respect anyone deserves.