Referees! We have to have them! But love to hate them! Why are they so bad, we say? Why cant they see what we see? What is wrong with them! They are just terrible!!! And then, of course, it is their fault that things went wrong during the game. They lost control, we say, shaking our heads in disgust.
You know, the funny thing is that all the referees feel the same. They were players or parents or maybe even coaches, before they were referees. So more than the parents, more than the spectators, and more than the players, the referees know how it feels to have a BAD ref. And yet there they are. Still out there doing their job.
And you all know what the refs go through, right - the grousing from the sidelines - the back talking from the players - the disrespect from many, including the parents - and the very real difficulty of calling a fast-moving game.
So why do refs continue to ref? I mean really, who in their right mind would take it on? Are these people nuts, or what? No, they are not. In fact, I think each referee, whether they know it or not, is aware at some level that they, above all else at the game, are having the greatest opportunity for mental, physical, spiritual, and psychological growth. Finding an experience with all four opportunities for growth rolled up into one little ball is pretty hard to do. And then to get paid for it. Now that is quite a bargain indeed! So rather than being nuts, I think referees are the smart ones. But let us take a further look at these growth opportunities.
Mental
I do not think this needs much explanation. All of us can understand that trying to keep tabs on twenty-two moving players and make literally hundreds of instantaneous decisions during the course of a game is a fairly rigorous mental exercise. The one thing that most people do not realize, is that there is only one person at the game who has to pay attention and focus ever moment, and that is the ref. That takes energy. So the refs who are trying to get it right are enjoying a real mental workout.
Physical
The good refs, and yes there are good and bad refs, try to predict where the play is going so as to keep within about 10 yards of the ball. While that is not always possible, it nonetheless takes a lot of running and changing direction to even attempt to keep within 10 yards. I think it is very possible that a good ref will actually run further in a game then any individual player. After all, they have to cover both ends of the field and the fast breaks in between. The players, by contrast, have their area to cover, and when the ball is not in that area, can take some rest.
Spiritual
Now this aspect may be the most important. Being a referee is an exercise in patience, courtesy, and understanding. It also calls for humility and, often, forgiveness because each ref knows he will make mistakes. All of these are spiritual qualities that can be tested in a soccer game like few other places. Being firm, calm, and fair in a heated situation is difficult for any of us. Being a ref provides a nearly ideal situation to improve our own abilities in these aspects.
Psychological
Finally, I think we all are aware of this side of refereeing. When we say the ref lost control, what we are saying is that the supporters or coach or players on one or both teams have lost confidence in the ability and fairness of the referee, and that the game is suffering as a result. Other times we may feel the referee is doing a good job of controlling those elements that need to be controlled, while allowing the free flow of a game. Managing these kinds of psychological outcomes is an important part of the game, but very difficult to do well. Understanding people, understanding motivation, and understanding how and when to communicate are crucial skills for everyone to have - the crucible of a soccer game provides many opportunities to improve.
So, the next time you find yourself really mad at, or feeling very sorry for, a soccer referee, remember that he or she is getting the better part of the bargain!!
email homepage