Common Excuses for not being a Referee

I don't know anything about the game!

All we ask of you is a little of your time and we will train you. The training can be done a little at a time or all at once, whichever is more convenient for you. We will not ask you to do anything you do not feel ready to try. We can guarantee you that, even if you have never refereed a game in your life, with a few hours of training, you will know more about the game of soccer than most Americans will ever know. We can also guarantee you that, if only as spectator, your appreciation and enjoyment of the game will increase.

I don't have the time!

The referees are free to choose the games they can do, which can be scheduled at your convenience, possibly just before or after the game your child is playing.

I don't think I could put up with the behavior of some coaches and spectators!

We do not want our referees to put up with it! Most of the adults and players involved in our program are here because we do not allow unsportsmanlike behavior. Our region has strict policies governing such behavior, and we are strongly committed to these policies. As a referee, we can teach you how to deal with these situation in a dignified and appropriate manner, and help us maintain the A.Y.S.O philosophy while setting a good example for our impressionable young players.

I'm not the right kind of person to be a referee, I'd be embarrassed!

All you need is to like kids and like to see them have fun playing soccer. We can teach you the rest. There is no need to feel embarrassed because we are all volunteers and we all make mistakes, even our most experiences referees. We would also make sure that you were always with an experienced referee for support.

I can't afford the equipment, and besides, I'm a woman and women don't referee!

Women certainly do referee, and make very good ones, too. This is exactly why we would like you to volunteer, we would like to have more women involved as referees. We provide most of the referee uniform and equipment. 

 

I don't think I could keep up with the players. Some of them are pretty fast!

Most of us can't keep up with them either. We give the upper division games, with the faster players, to our fitter and more experienced referees. We still have plenty of lower division games on smaller fields where you would be able to keep up. Refereeing is also a good way to get a little exercise and have fun at the same time. 

I don't think I could handle the responsibilities of the referee!

In time you will develop the confidence to referee, but even if you don't, you could provide vital assistance to the referee by being an assistant referee. We have several qualified referees who only work as assistant referees.

All you have to be is 12 years old. We will teach you how to referee games for the younger divisions. As a general rule, referees only do games for players younger than they are. We have a special Youth Referee Administrator and monitors on the fields to assist our younger referees.