looking good, or doing good?

[smee]

just wondering on y'all's opinions on younger refs:

Is it better for a young ref to look good, but get the calls wrong, or to get the calls right, but have the "wrong" socks, shirt not tucked in etc. 

Is this really much worse than an adult ref turning up unshaven and looking hungover?


I agree that in the ideal world we would all look like Pierluigi Collina, but is it worth running out young refs because their shirt is not tucked in?

[barnacle13]

With a shortage of refs you'd think running them off for dressing infractions would be silly, but let's take a step back for a second. For many of these youngsters this is their first foray into the job market. Employers put expectations on every employee. You don't have to agree with them, but defy them and you have no one else to blame but yourself when you get canned. As adults it's our job to share those expectations and help them to understand why they are important now and how they may relate to their employment in the future. An Adult showing up unkempt and appearing hungover should be dealt with in a much harsher manner, because a0 they're old enough to know better, and b) they should be setting the example for the youth refs.

I'd rather see them dressed as their employer requires them and making mistakes. That is how they'll learn to thrive in the workplace and learn from their mistakes. As coaches and parents, we have to remember that they are children, they are human, and they are allowing us to enjoy watching our little kiddos play soccer. If we drive them off, then shame on us for setting a poor example!

[coachray40]

Why is it so hard for people doing this job to understand that your appearance is the first indication of your credibility?  the best way to eliminate some of the inevitable yaw yaw is to show up dressed appropriately, looking like you actually care about the job you are doing.  If your shrt is hanging out, dont have the right socks, youre wearing basketball shorts and high topped tennis shoes, Im immediately gonna think you dont care about what your're doin.  This also means you probably dont care enough to try to get better and understand the job.

Make it easy on your self.  Show up dressed professionally and neat, be prepared, and try hard.  You'll gain immediate respect for your effort.  That will make it easier for coaches, players and parents to buy what you are selling.  As has been said before: "You'll never get a second chance to make a first impression."

[smee]

Just playing Devil's advocate here: if a coach turns up unshaven, or with a shirt not tucked in, tie not straight etc, we should send him / her away too? i am sure that coach "probably don't care enough to try to get better and understand the job"? (Ray and Barnacle).

But, It does confirm what I have seen: it is better to look right than to get the calls right. (Barnacle).

No wonder there are very few young refs out there and our turnover is about 30%

[laffysoccermom]

I think getting it right is more important but at the same time, appearance can be controlled as far as shirt tucked in etc. Refs are going to make mistakes and we are going to think they made more than they actually did.

I do agree that a ref with a neat clean appearance initially is perceived to be more capable.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[barnacle13]

smee,
It's easy to twist my post into "appearance is more important than the laws of the game", but that's not exactly what I said. Appearance is a part of the job. A job requirement set forth by the employer and is therefore important. Getting the call correct is important, but for these youngsters (or even the experienced refs) expecting a perfectly called game every time out is an unrealistic expectation on the part of every player, coach, parent, etc. Especially when a younger ref is calling the game, I expect calls I don't agree with and for the ref to maybe not know the correct call. It's a learning process, and I know I learn much more profoundly from my mistakes than I do from my successes. So I guess for me it's more important that they look the part and follow their employer's dress code, than calling every game 100% correct. I'd much rather they learn from a mistake and improve their ability, than show up a disheveled mess and not make a controversial call.

Having said that., I've been very upset when coaching a game with a well dressed, young ref who didn't know the Laws of the Game. Nearly cost my team the game and I did follow up with the ref and the assignor, so they could reiterate the issues I had during the game. I know the individual is still refereeing, and hopefully they are more competent as a result. I've also seen some very well called matches by some very young referees. As with any profession, it's the effort put forth that generally makes a good employee. Typically if you can't bother to wear the right uniform, you don't care what kind of job you do.

[laffysoccermom]

I get what you're saying now and agree. Can be a good life lesson for these refs.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using proboards

[HCSsoccer]

Me and my son just got our grade 8s.

The first season, I am doing all the games with him because of uneducated coaches and uneducated parents. I can tell you that most new young refs make the RIGHT call. Coaches and parents for the most part DO NOT KNOW THE LAWS.

Our VERY first game, the local assignor was at the fields.

He saw us at our field getting ready.

The assignor walked all the way across two U10 fields, came up to my son and in a very low respectful tone looked him in the eyes and said "Boy, tuck in your shirt, if you are gonna represent me out here, you are gonna look like a real ref......and make sure you blow that whistle loud enough so that it wakes up the dead."

[barnacle13]

HCSoccer,
I would agree most of the calls these youngsters make are spot on, and also many coaches do not know the Laws. When I was coaching I also certified as a referee, so that I would understand the Laws. I'm sure a couple have atrophied since then, but it certainly gives you a level of respect for the complexity of the game to go through that training. Good luck to you and your son!

[Steven Gerrard]

There is nothing wrong with being dressed appropriately and having your shirt tucked in. As a coach, I would tell my players to do the same as they stepped on the field. As a ref, I want to look professional. At the office, I also want to dress appropriately to look professional. There is nothing wrong with instilling this in young refs, hopefully it is something that they will take with them to other vocations in the future.

[barnacle13]

Oct 3, 2013 9:05:58 GMT -6 Steven Gerrard said:

There is nothing wrong with being dressed appropriately and having your shirt tucked in. As a coach, I would tell my players to do the same as they stepped on the field. As a ref, I want to look professional. At the office, I also want to dress appropriately to look professional. There is nothing wrong with instilling this in young refs, hopefully it is something that they will take with them to other vocations in the future.

My point exactly!

[happyjack]

Smee, both are important, both are stressed in the referee courses, both are stressed every weekend at just about every soccer field in the state. And we don't have a 30% turnover rate because we are asking young referees to dress properly, we have a 30% turnover rate because of parents and coaches thinking they gave a right to be verbally abusive to the young officials. I've yet to hear of a referee who quit because "they made me tuck my shirt in"

[HCSsoccer]

happyjack,

You absolutely 100% nailed it.

They quit because coaches and parents are verbally abusive. I have 4 kids on my varsity squad that WERE refs and wouldn't even consider it again for that very reason.