Sideline Behavior Presented by Maryland State Soccer Referee

Sideline Behavior Presented by: Maryland State Soccer Referee Committee www. marylandreferees. com

Google it (July, 2018)? “Sideline Behavior” – 1, 070, 000 “Referee Abuse” – 8, 940, 000 “Soccer Referee Abuse” – 4, 540, 000 “Referee Assault” – 2, 410, 000 And this frightening one: “Soccer Referee Assault” – 1, 000, 090 Think about that for a minute!

Facts: Nationally, there is more than a 40% turnover for soccer referees annually. Approximately 75% of those questioned said the #1 reason they left was abuse by parents & coaches.

Facts: In 2016, 2635 referees were registered in Maryland. In 2017, 2575 referees were registered in Maryland. In that time, approximately 850 new referees were trained Almost 790 of these Referees did not return from 2016!

Recent headlines: “Verbal abuse from parents, coaches is causing a referee shortage in youth sports!” - The Washington Post “Sideline abuse causes SC referee shortage, jeopardizes youth sports. ” - The State Newspaper, Columbia, SC “Youth Soccer Referees Need Support – Not Harassment. ” - www. soccerparenting. com “Enraged Parents lose control at kids' games. ” - The Sun Sentinel, Broward County, FL “Soccer violence: Referees under siege!” - CNN. com This has become an epidemic!

Examples of abuse are: Foul or abusive language directed toward the referee Spewing any beverage on a referee’s personal property Verbally threatening a referee with direct physical harm Verbal threats or gestures that imply physical harm

Do these referees deserve to be abused?

Really? ? ? How about these?

Examples of assault are: Hitting or kicking the referee Choking or grabbing the referee Running into the referee during an altercation, whether deliberate or accidental Spitting at or on the referee Any act inflicting injury or damaging the uniform or personal property of the referee

What causes “Dr. Jekyll” parents to become “Mr. Hyde” parents? Competition? Scholarships? Living vicariously through their children? The “my son/daughter is perfect” syndrome?

What message does this send to your children?

Sideline Behavior Before screaming at the. Ifreferee, youanswer need to you can’t ask yourself these 2 questions: “yes” and “yes”, DON’T SAY IT! � “If my son or my daughter was the referee”, would I: lsay what I’m about to say? AND: lsay it in the tone of voice that I am about to use?

Sideline Behavior When a player makes a mistake, who knows? The player knows The coach knows Teammates know (maybe) Mom or Dad know (possibly)

Sideline Behavior When the referee makes a mistake, who knows? Every player knows it All of the coaches know it Every parent knows it Every other spectator knows it …and they all want to make sure that the Referee knows it!

“…the Law is quite clear. ” “This is not soccer…” We should learn from our Rugby brothers:

Do you ever: Compliment the referee? Thank the referee? Show appreciation to the referee in any way? These people have your kids’ best interests and safety at heart.

Remember: If you can do it better yourself… …do it!

Become a Licensed Referee

Want to become a referee? Bob Reath Maryland State Director of Referee Instruction sdimd@comcast. net

Sideline Behavior Presented by: Maryland State Soccer Referee Committee www. marylandreferees. com