Coaching

So Bobby is at a point where his soccer games are more competitive. Just slightly but with the addition of refs to his games the dynamic has changed a bit. This season I am only assistant coaching due to my work travel schedule. I've already discovered this was a mistake and that has nothing to do with the man who is coaching. He is actually a very nice guy and committed to helping the boys learn. I just like being in control I guess.

But my issue I know is going to be with referees. And not just today, but while my kids play sports always.

Today, at Bobby's game, the referee did a lousy job at her job. She did have a whistle with her but I think only blew it 3 times the whole game. For the most part I left her alone but two plays that happened within 5 minutes of each other are what bothered me.

1. She allowed a member of the opposing team (Alien Invaders) to kick the ball out of the goalie's hands while he was on the ground. It was clearly in his hands, the other boy kicked it out and the ref did nothing. So I made a comment that she couldn't allow that to happen simply due to safety. I was professional about it even though the missed call was blatantly obvious.

2. 5 minutes later, the SAME boy from the opposing team kicked the ball out of the hands of the goalie and this time it scored a goal. So I spoke up again and said it was unsafe that she didn't stop the play. How could I protect my goalie when he is doing his job??? I didn't care that the ball scored at all in reality, just that my goalie was put in danger again.

Well the ref apparently felt I was out of line trying to protect my team from getting hurt so she walked over to me and said "I'm doing the best I can, this is my first time center reffing a game. I don't see you out here reffing." Her whole first sentence was fine until she had to get personal with her comments. So I said "I am coaching my team how to play defense and this is a safety issue. The goalie must be protected because he could get hurt if you allow players to kick at the ball while in his hands." She replied "to cut her some slack and allow her to ref the game" "So I said then please use your whistle and blow the play dead when it happens again and call a foul, it's why you are here". She then walked away and that was that.

I felt a bit put out by her comments which were directed at me instead of focused on the game. Granted I can be vocal, well let's be honest, I can be loud, but I will not stop being loud or vocal or anything when something like player safety isn't considered. I don't care if it's your first game as a ref or if you've never seen the game before. It doesn't take a genius to realize that when a player is on the ground holding the ball and someone kicks it out of his hands that is dangerous.

After the game was over she walked up to me and shook my hand and I returned the favor. I apologized sort of...I said "I'm sorry I got vocal but when my players can get hurt I will always speak up". She just turned and walked away. I'm thinking of complaing to the league officials. She never once addressed that she was in the wrong and could do better.

Needless to say, I'm sure this was only the first of many more arguments I will get into with referrers, umpires, whomever. It's just my way I guess. I realized today that I've allowed my competitive side to sort of dim over the years as I've not played any competitive sports. But now that my son playing all those feelings just came right back.