Officiating

[goUK]

Referees have the authority to remove any fan from the stands that is abusive. I don't understand why they don't use that authority more often.

They have the right to stop the game, seek out the administrator and ask the administrator to resolve situations. Referees are not supposed to interact with spectators directly— in soccer anyway.

Frankly, the admins need to be active in the crowd and head off problems before they escalate to the point of disruption. The 2 or 3 referees already have 22 players plus coaches and subs to keep control of, and they have tools to do so (cards). Expecting them to manage the spectators as well isn’t practical.

As for the idea that we should run 3-man crews to get new refs experience… yeah, that’s the goal, there just aren’t enough refs to do that. Every coach and most refs want 3-man crews on every game.

Because the parents end up waiting for them in the parking lot. Ive seen it for 20 years.

[noreply66]

Don't schools have law enforcement to protect refs in case parents wait for them? Law enforcers should be on hand at games and stay until the crowed has completely gone home.

[goUK]

Don't schools have law enforcement to protect refs in case parents wait for them? Law enforcers should be on hand at games and stay until the crowed has completely gone home.

Only HS basketball and Football at most schools

[alabama mike]

The county schools in Scioto county put in requests for deputies at athletic events to the sheriff's office. This is extra work if the job is accepted or not by the deputies. If someone does not pick up the job, there is no deputy on duty.

[Mr. Official]

Older thread but the SOC is going to move to an assigner next season.

From and officials perspective, and new recruits immediately put off by the behavior of fans. I’ve personally had players apologize to me for their own parents and volunteer them to be removed.

As for what happens on the pitch, calls get missed. Nature of the beast. 3 man crews help. Mics help but ultimately with 22 players someone will ultimately walk or run right in front of your line of sight in a critical incident.

There needs to be accountability starting at the youth levels on up for fan and player behavior. Officials not acting professionally should also be taken care of.

I do know we run 3 man trainings on scrimmages and new refs shadow officials in those less stressful situations along with required meetings much like any other sport. The difference there is not everyone attends and not every officials association has the same standards. (Watching football at b dubs on a Sunday is hardly quality)

[OSH]

Lots of positive remarks here, that I would like to build on.

1. I have been a coach/administrator for nearly 20 years in a variety of states. Not one time have I ever heard from any local referees on how to get younger referees involved with the clubs/leagues that I have been associated with. It is really all up to the individual to get involved and having to seek out the information to get involved. We need referees (assignors/leaders/admin) to be more proactive in reaching out and recruiting referees. We cannot leave this up to the individual -- nearly every profession out there "recruits" by more than just a random social media post on random sites.

2. 2-man or 3-man crews. This is one I often have talked about with how soccer refereeing isn't done. Basketball and football referees from high school and beyond often stay together with the same crew. Soccer "crews" are just random collections of people who end up signing up. There is a possibility that more crews in soccer could potentially help grow the numbers as people would like to referee with who they are familiar with at times. It also allows for a GREAT familiarity with each other -- which is why basketball and football do it.

3. "Accountability." This is easy. If you are a coach, submit video to assignors. Utilize this as a growing opportunity for yourself and other referees. It's the easiest way to hold everyone accountable. Sure, you may not get anything overturned...but, most referees I've ever interacted with do appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow. Video enables accountability and education more than a message board or complaining from the bench/stands does. If you are a fan/family/friend in the stands, help get video for coaches to submit. If you won't referee yourself, help others get video so they can grow and get better.

[Lovehoops4]

Older thread but the SOC is going to move to an assigner next season.

From and officials perspective, and new recruits immediately put off by the behavior of fans. I’ve personally had players apologize to me for their own parents and volunteer them to be removed.

As for what happens on the pitch, calls get missed. Nature of the beast. 3 man crews help. Mics help but ultimately with 22 players someone will ultimately walk or run right in front of your line of sight in a critical incident.

There needs to be accountability starting at the youth levels on up for fan and player behavior. Officials not acting professionally should also be taken care of.

I do know we run 3 man trainings on scrimmages and new refs shadow officials in those less stressful situations along with required meetings much like any other sport. The difference there is not everyone attends and not every officials association has the same standards. (Watching football at b dubs on a Sunday is hardly quality)

how about sw getting screwed in there game lol awful off sides calls it was crazy to see there historic season get ripped away.