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[quote=Anonymous]Parents and coaches yelling over throw-ins is so absurd and symbolic of the issue. Statistically the throwing team keeps possession less than 50% of the time in youth soccer, so it is actually more advantageous to not win the throw in because it gives the an extra player on the field to gain possession after the throw. There are cases every game where opposing players are both playing the ball at the same time and it is impossible for the referee to tell who it hit last on the way out and has to make a guess. Most of us keep a log of those in our head and alternate, i.e. I gave it to blue last time so white this time.

I reffed for about 12 years and quit during the pandemic. The factors that led to me deciding not to recertify.

- too many law changes every year -- the last few years IFAB has decided a couple updates a year isn't enough and half the laws should be rewritten every year, every law change is something we have to learn, learn how to interpret, and fight with coaches and parents who don't understand that the laws changed
 - negative climate -- it's draining constantly being seen as the enemy by everyone--even if I don't get actual abuse I am constantly the bad guy when I'm just out here to try to give your kid a chance to play
 - low pay -- in order to make enough per game to justify the expense in training, uniform, transportation, etc I have to work the type of games with the kind of horrible parents on here and their bratty entitled kids

I felt like I've made my contribution now it's time for someone else to step up. When I look at the referees out on the fields these days I am reminded of the scene before the battle at helm's deep, "These are not soldiers. Most have seen to many winters...or too few."

When I talk to fellow officials over in UK the shortage is even worse there, and the abuse problem is worse too. Stopping the abuse won't solve the problem this year or next. It will take a few years of young referees coming in, having a positive experience, and staying with it long enough to get good at it before the shortage turns around. Almost all referees are not good their first couple years, we have to give them a chance to learn and get good.
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