1. United States Soccer Federation UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION Psychology of Refereeing

2. United States Soccer Federation Refereeing is an exercise in HUMAN RELATIONS

3. 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

4. United States Soccer Federation Whose Job is More Difficult?

5. United States Soccer Federation The Pressure Chamber The Referee Team Player Coach Administrator Player Coach Administrator Player Referee 1 Assistant Fourth Official 22 Players 3 Coaches 2 Admins Referee Assistant Referee 2

6. United States Soccer Federation 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

7. United States Soccer Federation 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

8. United States Soccer Federation 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 The Player’s Psyche

9. United States Soccer Federation 2. Players want "justice" Referees: Be FAIRly consistent The legally correct answer is often not the best answer The Player’s Psyche (continued)

10. United States Soccer Federation 3. Players want their "gripes/complaints" to be heard Referees: Be an active listener Be sympathetic and/or empathetic The Player’s Psyche (continued)

11. United States Soccer Federation 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 The Player’s Psyche (continued)

12. United States Soccer Federation 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 The Player’s Psyche (continued)

13. United States Soccer Federation 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 The Player’s Psyche (continued)

14. United States Soccer Federation 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 The Player’s Psyche (continued)

15. United States Soccer Federation 8. Players are proud of their accomplishments Referees: Compliment players for their proper behavior, for adhering to your manage- ment philosophy, for doing something exceptional "Honey still attracts more bees than vinegar" The Player’s Psyche (continued)

16. United States Soccer Federation 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? The Player’s Psyche (continued)

17. United States Soccer Federation 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

18. United States Soccer Federation Exhibit the Three "C's"  care  compassion  consideration Referees are Managers

19. United States Soccer Federation Motivate Players  reward  protect  be fair Referees are Managers

20. United States Soccer Federation 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 Referees are Managers

21. United States Soccer Federation 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 Referees are Managers

22. United States Soccer Federation 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 Referees are Managers

23. United States Soccer Federation 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 Referees are Managers

24. United States Soccer Federation Review The referee must manage or be managed The player psyche The referee as manager