The recent notoriety that a few out-of-control parents and abusive coaches have brought to the issue of sideline behavior has motivated the referee advisory board to adopt the following policy:
The PHMSA Referee Volunteers are being advised to invoke a No-Tolerance policy in terms of managing touchline behavior by coaches and other spectators. It is inappropriate for anyone to verbally contest a referee's decision and all concerns should be voiced in a civil fashion at the appropriate time. It is the coach's responsibility to control all spectators associated with his/her team. Failure to do so will result in the coach and/or spectator being sent away from the field of play.
It is important that coaches show the proper respect for all referees including youth referees. We will have several experienced referees acting as mentors. These referees have the authority to step into a situation involving a youth referee. The bottom line is that without a referee the game will be terminated but without a coach the game will continue.
The following incidences will provoke the use of the No Tolerance policy without a formal warning:
Final comments:
The PHMSA Referee Instructors are well aware that new referees will make mistakes. These referees often begin their referee careers at the U10 level, which is quite a challenge. These referees need the help of coaches to make the referee's job easier by controlling actions on the touchline and practicing positive behavior towards the referee team. It is the expectation that coaches will notify all team parents of this policy at the team meeting or via some other means of communication. Ignorance of this policy will not be an excuse for referee abuse or for the subsequent dismissal from the field of play.
06/24/04