5 ERRORS REFEREES SHOULD AVOID

In the modern world of officiating, officials are becoming more involved in legal responsibilities. Here are five errors that officials should avoid making.

 1. Failing to enforce safety rules. Just like the playing rules, officials must know the safety rules associated with the sport and enforce them. Some venues, like enclosed stadiums help officials with safety issues while some of the more informal sites, such as many used for weekend activities, present challenges and will test the officials.

Without physical barriers such as walls or fences, officials are often on their own to enforce safety issues and prevent any injury from occurring. Players, coaching staff and spectators standing too close to a field are at a greater risk of injury caused by a player or official running into them or getting hit by a ball.

Neglecting to follow and enforce safety rules due to the informality of a site or sport is a good way to start paving the way to a court case. Allowing players to participate while wearing jewelry is another typical example of officials neglecting to follow safety rules.

2.   Neglecting to inspect the playing area. Aside from obvious reasons, officials have many excuses for putting field inspection on the back burner. From late arrival to a site to lack of time between matches, officials can always find an excuse for not inspecting the playing area. An official’s time spent checking a playing area for proper markings and equipment as well as safety issues (gopher holes, sprinklers, goals anchored, etc…) may be the time that will keep him/her out of court.

3.   Delegating Rules Enforcement.  If the rules book specifies that the official is to do or deal with something, it is mandated. Examples, checking in players prior to the start of a match to make sure they are properly dressed and equipped and are not wearing anything that may be dangerous to themselves or others. When dealing with a possible concussion or visible blood, if the official is mandated to act, the official cannot delegate the responsibility of making a decision to anyone else. Officials who routinely opt to delegate or consciously overlook their duties and responsibilities should think twice before doing so.

 4.   Documentation. Things happen during matches that officials must take care of and document. A send off or disqualification report is always required documentation when a red card is issued to a player. Recording the time and jersey number of a player who scored a goal is another “must do” for the officials. At times things happen during the course of a match that officials should keep documentation about. A major injury, a natural event (lightning, storms, etc…), a possible concussion, or any disruption to the match, these are some examples of things that may occur while working a game, can lead to an early termination of a match, and should be documented. Hours, days, weeks later a question or an investigation into the match may surface and the officials may be asked to provide some details. Writing good, clear and detailed notes is important. Keep it simple, factual and use the Who, What, Where, When and How approach without including any personal opinions, feelings or emotions. Also include any witnesses and their contact information.

 5.   Refrain from using social media in reference to officiating. Things written about or said via any social media can be read or heard by countless individuals and the written or spoken words can be misinterpreted or misunderstood by many. There are Codes of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct that help steer officials away from unethical and unprofessional behavior. Officials who deviate from ethical and professional conduct and use social media in an unethical and unprofessional manner are jeopardizing their reputation as well as that of the association they belong to. As a reminder, it is important to be very conscious of what you say, do or write on any social media.

 Written for FUNdamental SOCCER by Pat Ferre, USSF Referee Grade 15 Emeritus; USSF Referee Instructor; USSF Referee Assessor; USSF Referee Assignor; District-7 Youth Referee Administrator (DYRA)

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Your FUNdamental,

Koach Karl (Karl Dewazien)

·        Emeritus State Director of Coaching - California Youth Soccer Assoc. 1979-2012

·        Author - Internationally Published FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series

·        Producer - highly acclaimed ‘FUNdamental SOCCER -Practice’ DVD.

·        Clinician at: www.fundamentalsoccer.com