AYSO Region 206 Website

Fun Being A Referee?

Tom Wiltrout, Section 8 Referee Administrator, November 2007 • AYSO SHORTS

OK, the title already shows that I'm nuts, but why shouldn't Fun, Fair, Safe be about refereeing too? Fun isn't just for kids. I'm giving up my "free" time, which none of us have enough of, to chase 22 kids and a ball every couple of hours on a Saturday. Yes it's great exercise, but I'm sure I can make a good case that lying on the couch and flexing my fingers on the TV remote is exercise too. Hey I run to the fridge and the bathroom too. If they would just make that an Olympic sport, I'd be a star. So how come refereeing can't be fun? Let's look at the "referee credo" Fun, Fair, Safe in reverse order.

Safe, well that's no problem. We're out on the field and constantly running, it's hard to hit a moving target. Not too many coaches or spectators come wandering out on to the field to chase us down. So all you have watch out for are the players and you have a whistle and cards to keep them at bay. Occasionally they send the ball in your direction, and watch out for the juice boxes and snacks that they can use as bait to lure you in.

Fair, we've got the easy button for this one too. How could it not be fair? We have the whistle and get to decide what's fair. We've been well trained and know the rules. We've got most everyone at a knowledge disadvantage. It doesn't get any better than this. For at least an hour or so, kids are listening to you and doing what you tell them. I got carried away with this and tried it at home, … once. I got cautioned by my wife.

So that brings us to the most important part, Fun. Fun is the reason people play and watch others play games and it's all about attitude. Adults that show up to a game with a bad attitude generally don't make the game fun for anyone. It tends to rub off on everyone around them. Yes, fellow referees, that means us too. It can affect your calls and the way you deal with players, coaches and spectators. If you create an enjoyable atmosphere from the pre-game, there is a much better chance that the positive will snowball and the kids will have fun too. More fun usually means less questioning and complaining, both really good things for referees.

Take time to enjoy the kids and the game. It's amazing what you'll hear and see. I've had a 40 something mom show up at a game with pom-poms and turning cartwheels down the touchline cheering her daughter's team on. I've been able to learn about the teachers at school, about the kid's boy friends and girl friends, events at school, just by watching and listening. It sure makes parent/teacher conferences a lot more fun too, with all of the knowledge you have picked up from the kids. There have been a few times that I wanted to stop the match just so I could finish laughing at what was said. All you can do is shake your head and smile.

Referees want to do the best job possible every time out, we all do. All I'm asking is that you take the time and watch and listen to the things around you. There is so much positive happening, take it in and reflect it back. It makes the game more enjoyable for everyone and the games just seem to fly by. If you make it Fun, the Fair and Safe part follow along nicely.

Putting a twist on an idea from the comedian, Jeff Foxworthy…

• You might be a referee if you have Velcro attachment patches on the front of all your tee shirts.

• You might be a referee if you use your flags to get a waitress's attention while out at a restaurant.

• You might be a referee if you use your cards on your daughter's boyfriend when he comes to pick her up for a date.

• You might be a referee if you like the style statement you make wearing referee shorts that look like black "speedo's."