Teaching Respect for Referees
Introduction: The Importance of Respecting Referees
Being an umpire, official, or referee is an incredibly challenging and often thankless job. At Officials Unlimited, we understand the difficulties faced by referees and the critical role they play in maintaining fairness and sportsmanship on the field. Unfortunately, many youth sports parents, coaches, and athletes make this job even harder by hurling criticism and ridicule at referees. While it’s common for fans to empathize with an athlete's mistake, referees are more likely to be condemned, demeaned, and chastised. Teaching respect for referees is not about encouraging blind obedience but about fostering self-advocacy, accountability, and resilience in young athletes.
A Crisis of Disrespect
As society’s win-at-all-costs attitude has intensified, youth sports organizations are grappling with a severe referee shortage. Incidents of violence against referees, once extremely rare, have become more frequent. For instance, in 2013, a youth soccer referee in Utah died after being punched by a player upset about a foul call. Similarly, two high school football players in Texas garnered national attention when they blindsided a referee during a game. These extreme cases highlight a broader issue: young athletes frequently witness professional athletes and coaches verbally confronting officials on television, which normalizes such behavior.
Even at the youth sports level, it’s not uncommon to see players, coaches, and parents verbally abusing referees. Most parents have, perhaps unintentionally, let a "You’ve got to be kidding me, Ref" slip out. The ease with which these comments are made underscores the need to raise awareness about how officials are treated.
Five Essential Steps for Teaching Referee Respect
Like sportsmanship and teamwork, respect for referees is an important value that needs to be explicitly taught to athletes, parents, and coaches. Here are five essential steps to instill this respect:
1. Recognize Referees' Training and Expertise
No matter how experienced or knowledgeable an athlete or parent might be, it’s crucial to remember that referees undergo specific training in the rules of the game, observation, and making difficult calls. They are often in a better position to see the play, especially compared to parents on the sidelines. Leagues are always looking for new officials, so if you believe you can do better, consider stepping into their shoes.
2. Focus on the Game, Not the Referee
There are many elements of sports that are unpredictable and beyond a player's control, but there are aspects they can manage. Players, spectators, and coaches can't control officiating. If players are overly concerned with the officials' calls, they are less focused on playing their best. Coaches should prioritize guiding and instructing their players over criticizing referees. Parents should concentrate on encouraging their young athletes rather than fixating on the referee’s decisions.
3. Treat Referees with the Same Respect as Coaches
Coaches can model respect for officials by greeting referees before the game, just as they would the opposing coach. Encourage team captains to introduce themselves to the officials during pre-game meetings. These gestures humanize referees, fostering respect from young players.
4. Understand the Impact of Rudeness on Officiating
While referees strive to be objective, they are human and can be influenced by behavior. Teams that exhibit respect and fair play may be more likely to receive favorable calls in close situations. Respectful behavior towards referees can naturally lead to more positive officiating experiences.
5. Yelling at Officials Models Poor Behavior
Parents and coaches need to be mindful of the lessons they impart when they yell at referees. According to the youth sport advocacy organization Play by the Rules, yelling at refs teaches young athletes that:
Mistakes are unacceptable.
They don't need to take accountability for their performance.
Disrespecting authority figures is acceptable when you disagree with them.
It's okay to be rude, disruptive, and distracting.
Conclusion: Cultivating a Culture of Respect
Youth sports are an opportunity for children to learn and develop a love for sports, not to experience undue pressure. At Officials Unlimited, we believe it’s essential to cultivate a culture of respect for referees. By recognizing referees’ training, focusing on the game, treating referees with respect, understanding the impact of behavior, and avoiding negative modeling, we can foster an environment of respect and sportsmanship.
If a mistake occurs during a game, encourage your child to resolve the conflict respectfully. A face-to-face conversation with the referee after the game can help demonstrate the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and making amends.
For more resources and information on how to promote respect for referees in youth sports, visit Officials Unlimited or contact us today.
