How to Deal With Youth Soccer Referees

Referees are part of youth soccer - an important part. Understanding their role will help both players and parents deal with them successfully.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Understand the referees' function. A soccer game is controlled by one referee (on the field) and two referee's assistants, who work along the sidelines.

2. See them as allies. By definition, a referee's No. 1 task is to ensure the safety and protection of players. The referee's second task is to uphold fairness.

3. Teach your child the role of the referee. This may entail learning the rules of the game.

4. Show respect to all officials. This goes for players, coaches and spectators.

5. Refrain from negative comments and pressure. Negative treatment of referees yields the same undesirable results as similar treatment of youth players.

6. Direct any comments (including praise) or complaints first to your coach, then, in writing, to your soccer league.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait until after the game to direct any comments to the referee. Comments in the heat of battle are not productive. It is against regulations to walk onto the field at any point in the game to speak to officials.
• Say thank you. It is rare that a referee hears a kind word. Praise those you feel have done a good job.
• Know what to praise. An especially good referee uses opportunities to educate players, behaves in a calm manner, and uses humor to defuse tense situations.
• Consider taking a referee's course. Adults, and children as young as 12, can take this course. It gives them an understanding and empathy for the job, as well as a better understanding of the game.
• Learn the Laws of the Game. These 17 FIFA laws will assist you in understanding the referee's calls.

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[youthsoccer]

on 4/16/2008 There's a great article at this blog on referees in youth soccer.
http://youth-soccer-coach.blogspot.com/2008/04/5-reasons-you-should-give-referees.html

The comments on this post are great as well

[cfs1662]

on 4/26/2007 A. Remember that Referees are human - They make mistakes. I tell my players that if the ref didn't see it, it didn't happen.
B. Young referees, high school or younger, sometimes aren't "into" the game that they are responsible for. If you see that your ref is U18, approach them before the game and ask for their help in running a clean game.
C. Remember that the Assistant Referees are there to help the Center referee, but the Center's decisions are what counts.
D. Remember to thank your referee(s) after each game.

on 12/12/2005 Remember that you bring your kids to the games to watch them play. You are not there to watch the referee.