Anonymous wrote:
There are definitely levels to the refs and the assignors don’t just let anyone ref certain games.

SoccerRef wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There are definitely levels to the refs and the assignors don’t just let anyone ref certain games.

Yes and no.
When I started reffing, you couldn't go near an ECNL or DA (precurser to MLS Next) game unless you had upgraded to a higher ref category.
But there are SO many games now, that assignors have to put refs on games that aren't ideal for them.
Just last week I saw a desperate email from an assigner looking for a center on a U15 MLS Next game, and it said experienced ref "preferred".
That's how dire things are in this area.

SoccerRef wrote:If you have a kid that refs, make sure they know that they should be reporting any abuse of any kind to their state ref committe. If they don't know how to do that, make sure they ask their assignor.
It's simple to do.
Also, we're now advised NEVER to talk to parents. If there are issues in the stands, you talk to the coach, and if they don't deal with it, or if the problems persist, then you can card the coach, or ask the coach to remove the parent.
And also, let's make this clear. None of the refs at your games are professional referees. Professional referees do this for a living...all the rest of us do this as a paid hobby. So to think that it's OK to abuse the refs at youth games because they're "professionals" is uttery ridiculous.
Yes, it's frustrating to have bad refs...my son plays ECNL, and I'm shocked at how bad some of them are. But let your coach deal with it. Period.

Anonymous wrote:So I'm a 50 year old dad with two sons that played soccer (ones still plays) and I coached both when they were younger, I have licenses, etc. I don't coach any longer but I've been reffing with my oldest son for about 6 years and my younger son refs now too. So I've seen my share of matches at well over the years. So your daughter is 13 so a brand new ref (how many matches under her belt?) and you thought it was a good idea to allow her to solo ref (because U11s don't have full crews at this tournament) a 9v9 boys match where she needs to watch offside on both ends, watch the goal line on both ends, and touch line to touch line and you thought it was going to end well? And if you watched as many matches as you said, you should know that this age and level is prime for psychotic parents and coaches. I, personally, would NEVER center this match. Now, should that coach have gave her a hard time?...of course not. That's a huge problem...but you know they do anyway. They are crazy. But you threw your daughter into the fire.

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Can you expand on this? In this context, what is "abuse"? A parent yelling...Hey Ref you are horrible? You should quit! Know the rules! Get out of the center circle! Get some glasses! Hey ref you're missing a good game out there! Is this abuse that should be reported to the assignor?

Yes.

If an adult is yelling insults at a kid - it’s abuse. Why do you not know that? That’s very worrying.

SoccerRef wrote:

Yes and no.
When I started reffing, you couldn't go near an ECNL or DA (precurser to MLS Next) game unless you had upgraded to a higher ref category.
But there are SO many games now, that assignors have to put refs on games that aren't ideal for them.
Just last week I saw a desperate email from an assigner looking for a center on a U15 MLS Next game, and it said experienced ref "preferred".
That's how dire things are in this area.

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Yes and no.
When I started reffing, you couldn't go near an ECNL or DA (precurser to MLS Next) game unless you had upgraded to a higher ref category.
But there are SO many games now, that assignors have to put refs on games that aren't ideal for them.
Just last week I saw a desperate email from an assigner looking for a center on a U15 MLS Next game, and it said experienced ref "preferred".
That's how dire things are in this area.

Have the payments to refs increased much in this time frame? Seems like a pretty easy way to solve this problem would be to double what refs are getting paid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Can you expand on this? In this context, what is "abuse"? A parent yelling...Hey Ref you are horrible? You should quit! Know the rules! Get out of the center circle! Get some glasses! Hey ref you're missing a good game out there! Is this abuse that should be reported to the assignor?

Yes.

If an adult is yelling insults at a kid - it’s abuse. Why do you not know that? That’s very worrying.

So taking the two posts together, you are thinking that, if a parent yells out to my 15 year old son, come on ref. Get some glasses. You need to start calling fouls. or that's a terrible call. I should report that to the state referee committee and the assignor? I mean seriously. That's like saying...if you see someone speeding, you should call the police. I'm not condoning parents saying anything to a ref, but this just isn't practical.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Can you expand on this? In this context, what is "abuse"? A parent yelling...Hey Ref you are horrible? You should quit! Know the rules! Get out of the center circle! Get some glasses! Hey ref you're missing a good game out there! Is this abuse that should be reported to the assignor?

Yes.

If an adult is yelling insults at a kid - it’s abuse. Why do you not know that? That’s very worrying.

So taking the two posts together, you are thinking that, if a parent yells out to my 15 year old son, come on ref. Get some glasses. You need to start calling fouls. or that's a terrible call. I should report that to the state referee committee and the assignor? I mean seriously. That's like saying...if you see someone speeding, you should call the police. I'm not condoning parents saying anything to a ref, but this just isn't practical.

Wow, that's a totally pointless analogy. Try some common sense.
Parents should never be shouting at the refs, especially the younger ones.
Clearly though, a ref needs to have thick skin, and most of the basic stuff parents shout should roll of their backs and be ignored.
But if, in the opinion of the ref, there is anything that's over the line, persistant, or abusive, then yes, they should file a report.

And to answer one of the other questions, yes, pay has gone up a little, but nothing I'd say is significant enough to really turn the tide.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Yes and no.
When I started reffing, you couldn't go near an ECNL or DA (precurser to MLS Next) game unless you had upgraded to a higher ref category.
But there are SO many games now, that assignors have to put refs on games that aren't ideal for them.
Just last week I saw a desperate email from an assigner looking for a center on a U15 MLS Next game, and it said experienced ref "preferred".
That's how dire things are in this area.

Have the payments to refs increased much in this time frame? Seems like a pretty easy way to solve this problem would be to double what refs are getting paid.

I think they are getting way too much as it is. Where can you make $60-$80/hr for just standing there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Yes and no.
When I started reffing, you couldn't go near an ECNL or DA (precurser to MLS Next) game unless you had upgraded to a higher ref category.
But there are SO many games now, that assignors have to put refs on games that aren't ideal for them.
Just last week I saw a desperate email from an assigner looking for a center on a U15 MLS Next game, and it said experienced ref "preferred".
That's how dire things are in this area.

Have the payments to refs increased much in this time frame? Seems like a pretty easy way to solve this problem would be to double what refs are getting paid.

I think they are getting way too much as it is. Where can you make $60-$80/hr for just standing there.

They are never just standing there. They are getting too much sun exposure and putting in a lot of effort for kids they don't know. They do it because they love the game and find it interesting. They are necessary and make a big positive impact.
If you frequently have issues with refs, this is something you need to be more introspective about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

SoccerRef wrote:

Yes and no.
When I started reffing, you couldn't go near an ECNL or DA (precurser to MLS Next) game unless you had upgraded to a higher ref category.
But there are SO many games now, that assignors have to put refs on games that aren't ideal for them.
Just last week I saw a desperate email from an assigner looking for a center on a U15 MLS Next game, and it said experienced ref "preferred".
That's how dire things are in this area.

Have the payments to refs increased much in this time frame? Seems like a pretty easy way to solve this problem would be to double what refs are getting paid.

I think they are getting way too much as it is. Where can you make $60-$80/hr for just standing there.

They are never just standing there. They are getting too much sun exposure and putting in a lot of effort for kids they don't know. They do it because they love the game and find it interesting. They are necessary and make a big positive impact.
If you frequently have issues with refs, this is something you need to be more introspective about.

Anonymous wrote:
Can you expand on this? In this context, what is "abuse"? A parent yelling...Hey Ref you are horrible? You should quit! Know the rules! Get out of the center circle! Get some glasses! Hey ref you're missing a good game out there! Is this abuse that should be reported to the assignor?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Can you expand on this? In this context, what is "abuse"? A parent yelling...Hey Ref you are horrible? You should quit! Know the rules! Get out of the center circle! Get some glasses! Hey ref you're missing a good game out there! Is this abuse that should be reported to the assignor?

All abuse-- there is no reason ever for a parent or coach to shout at a ref. Especially if the the ref is a teenager