A Need for Training in Good Sportsmanship

I have been a youth soccer referee for more than eight years, and it has been my job to dissuade some parents from demonstrating unruly, loudly negative, vulgar or insulting behavior. I have seen some very bad situations and had to restore order to many games gone awry. I have, on the other hand, ejected very few players.

Any experienced referee or sports official will tell you that virtually all bad behavior from coaches and parents comes from teams that are losing. It’s almost never the other way around.

Sports are supposed to help teach us that acting honorably, when our ego is wounded, is a test of character. Some coaches and parents seem unaware how badly they are failing that test. They need to be made aware what a horrible example they are setting and that blaming it on bad referee calls is no excuse.

I support the idea that parents need some training. Many coaches and parents seem to feel they are showing support for their team by bad-mouthing every official’s call that doesn’t go their way.

Training should cover the etiquette of the game, but a rundown of the rules would also go a long way in improving behavior.

Joel Bruce

Director of Referee Instruction

AYSO Region 96

Tustin