Below is an advertisement that puts perspective into what the potential negative affect a parent can have on the game of soccer. The point of the ad is that the game will go away without referees, but I’d like to also ask “what is the parent in this ad teaching his child?”
I think it is important that parents, and coaches alike, respect the referee. They are doing a very difficult job and after all, the kids are playing a game and one game, one missed call is not going to drastically change anyone’s future. On the other hand, a parent yelling and disparaging a referee will negatively influence that child and his/her teammates for years to come.
What kind of parent do you want to be? I’d rather be the one that keeps life in perspective and let the kids know that sometimes there are mistakes. Most times the only way a player knows the ref did a poor job, is because the parents bring it to light. If the player does bring it up, please be the parent that says, “the ref is doing his best”, or “sometimes you’ve got beat the other team and the ref” and leave it at that. Then move on to things the kid can control and the positive aspects of the game.
