UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION
Psychology of
Refereeing
United States Soccer Federation
Refereeing
is an
exercise
in
HUMAN RELATIONS
United States Soccer Federation
• Referee teams must "manage":
- 22 to 36 players
- 2 to 4 coaches
- 2 to x administrators
= 26-42+different personalities
• Players, coaches, and administrators
"manage":
- 1 referee, 2 assistant referees, 1
fourth official
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Whose Job
is
More Difficult?
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The Pressure Chamber
Coach
Player
Player Player Player Player
Player
Player
Player
Administrator
The
Player
Player
Referee
Coach
Player
Player
Team
Coach
Player
PlayerPlayer
Player
Administrator
Player
Assistant
Player Player
Referee 2
Player
United States Soccer Federation
Referee
Assistant
22 Players Referee 1
3 Coaches
2 Admins
Fourth
Official
The Referee's Management Philosophy
It is the responsibility of the referee team
to establish and communicate a clear set of
rules and guidelines for players to follow
and to create an environment that
encourages players to uphold those rules
and guidelines
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The Player's Management Philosophy
The player has the responsibility to
influence (through positive and negative
means) the referee's decisions so as to
gain an advantage over the opponent
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The Player’s Psyche
1. Players are coached to
test the measure of the referee
Referees:
• Don't be surprised or intimidated
• Make your mark early in the game
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The Player’s Psyche (continued)
2. Players want "justice"
Referees:
• Be FAIRly consistent
• The legally correct answer is often
not the best answer
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The Player’s Psyche (continued)
3. Players want their "gripes/complaints"
to be heard
Referees:
• Be an active listener
• Be sympathetic and/or empathetic
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The Player’s Psyche (continued)
4. Players are emotional verbally, visually,
and physically
Referees:
• Remain calm and outwardly unemotional
• Too many refs err later because they take
incidents personally
• Be composed = better decision making
• Have a sense of humor
• Walk away, keep moving
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The Player’s Psyche (continued)
5. Players want the pressure and intensity
level to be high, thereby confusing
referees
Referees:
• At critical moments, don't hesitate
to slow things down a bit
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The Player’s Psyche (continued)
6. Players want to be treated like equals
Referees:
• Don't threaten—do what you have to
do without demeaning the players
• Don't "talk down" to them
• Don't yell
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The Player’s Psyche (continued)
7. Players use gamesmanship and play games
to bring the game into disrepute and make
the referee's job more difficult
Referees:
• Let the players know that YOU know
what they are doing
• Provide real-time, verbal feedback
United States Soccer Federation
The Player’s Psyche (continued)
8. Players are proud of their accomplishments
Referees:
• Compliment players for their proper
behavior, for adhering to your management philosophy, for doing something
exceptional
"Honey still attracts more bees than vinegar"
United States Soccer Federation
The Player’s Psyche (continued)
9. If the referee doesn't take action, the players
will. Players have a sense of "protecting
their own"
Referees:
• Make it look like you are taking action,
even if you aren't
• The punishment must fit the crime
• Listen to the players—what do they want?
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Referees are Managers
To be a successful manager, Referees must
sell their management philosophy and
game philosophy and:
• Provide Real-Time Feedback
 clear, concise
 verbally, visually
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Referees are Managers
• Exhibit the Three "C's"
 care
 compassion
consideration
United States Soccer Federation
Referees are Managers
• Motivate Players
 reward
 protect
be fair
United States Soccer Federation
Referees are Managers
• Acknowledge Players
 listen
• Communicate
 ask players: who, what, where,
when, why
 be in control
• Accept Criticism Graciously
 players don't expect us to be
perfect—just fair
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Referees are Managers
• Appeal to players' sense of fair play . . . or
skill level . . . or observed frustration level
 do whatever it takes to keep them in the
game unless they want otherwise
• In disciplinary situations, always do the
least that is necessary to control the
situation
 don't swat flies with a 12-gauge shotgun
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Referees are Managers
• Admit mistakes when they happen
 players/coaches find this refreshing
and are forgiving
• Trust your instincts and go with your guts
 watch players' reactions, then take action
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Referees are Managers
• Always get the player who started it first
before dealing with the retaliator
 this may cool things down and permit
your second act to be accepted in a more
understanding manner
• Use humor
 a smile and a laugh will defuse many
situations
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Review
• The referee must manage
or be managed
• The player psyche
• The referee as manager
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