Theory: Young Local Referees Will Ruin Youth Sports

I have a theory: using young, local referees without excessive training and regular auditing is going to ruin youth sports. I’ve seen many examples of it, but what happened today really cemented it clearly for me.

This morning I took my son to Keene, New Hampshire to play their ~10-year-old “squirt B” hockey team. My son’s team lost 4-0, and it’s not the loss that has me upset. They’ve lost plenty of games and they’ll lose more. What has me upset is the fact that the only way they could have won that game was if they showed up ready to play dirty. Instead, my son’s team played the game they’ve been taught: play hard, play to win, but play fair and play your best.

I can only assume the other team played the game they were taught: play to win, at all costs, and minor penalties like tripping, checking, and holding the goalie are accepted parts of the game.

I base this assumption about the other team on (a) the way they played and (b) the way the game was refereed. No penalties were called whatsoever. I’m not saying it was called unfairly; the refs did a great job of being nearly 100% consistent on both sides of the puck. There was no obvious favoritism. The problem is that they didn’t call a damned thing.

You see, at this age and in this program the refs are typically teenagers and presumably local ones at that. Yes, I’m sure that USA Hockey dictates they take some certification course, but there’s no way that course, however long it is, would undo the years of conditioning they’ve had. Those refs we saw today in Keene were almost certainly raised through the same hockey program that still exists today in Keene. And if that’s true, then those refs were taught early on that tripping, checking, and holding the goalie are accepted parts of the game and are to be overlooked.

I’m very curious to see what happens next weekend when that very same team comes to our rink to play us at home. A game that will more than likely be refereed by kids that were raised through our program and are far more likely to call all the aforementioned penalties (if they see them, of course, and I get that the refs will always see a different game on the ice than we see from the stands).

But it’s more than that. Because they’re on the ice, we (as parents) are looking to these refs as the main people who can keep our kids safe. Tripping isn’t illegal because someone decided that would make the game more interesting. It’s illegal because if it happens all the time someone’s eventually going to get hurt. The same is true for not allowing checking at this age. And when you’ve got kids out there getting frustrated by inconsistent refereeing, THAT is when levelheadedness goes out the window and kids start hurting each other.

My son LOVES contact sports. In addition to hockey he plays football and lacrosse. He’s already been through three broken bones (none, funnily enough, from any of the aforementioned sports!). I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go through more of that before he’s through. It’s all part of it. But I do expect the refs to do their level best to keep him safe, and the biggest key to that is simply having an audited level of consistency throughout each league. That way the kids (in a general sense) as well as parents and coaches know what to expect and local “customs” don’t change the nature of the game from town to town. Organizations like USA Hockey exist for a reason, and it’s about time they stepped up and solved this issue.

As an aside: Yes, I realize that in pro sports there’s significant inconsistency amongst refereeing. I feel that this consistency is MORE important in childrens sports because this is where they’re learning. They need that to stay safe. We as parents need that for the kids to stay safe, and it needs to be fixed.

10 Responses to “Theory: Young Local Referees Will Ruin Youth Sports”

  1. Duff Says:

    Very good points, my friend. And what occurs in youth sports wends its way up the ladder to collegiate, then pro. Certain things are taught well at some schools. Why do some middle school football players know more about proper tackling than the guys in the NFL?

    Yes, kids should be taught the proper ways…

  2. Duff Says:

    Very good points, my friend. And what occurs in youth sports wends its way up the ladder to collegiate, then pro. Certain things are taught well at some schools. Why do some middle school football players know more about proper tackling than the guys in the NFL?
    Yes, kids should be taught the proper ways…

  3. Stephen Adams Says:

    My son is a certified USA Hockey referee. He pretty much holds to the ‘let them play’ attitude. Not because he thinks penalties or dirty play are good, but because he wants to stay out of the way of the game. He calls blatant penalties, but lets most “incidental” penalties slide. I think a lot of that comes from watching the NHL where the TV shows plays that are clearly penalties but not called (and the commentators say “the refs let them play on…”

    My son is a goalie and he’s done is fair share of “edge of the envelope” activity (i.e. just enough to not get caught) and sees the NHL goalies doing the same thing….

    As for the NFL, I’m sick of the horrid officiating at the league level. Would a referee as horrible as Ed Hoculi ever stay in the NHL?

  4. Stephen Adams Says:

    My son is a certified USA Hockey referee. He pretty much holds to the ‘let them play’ attitude. Not because he thinks penalties or dirty play are good, but because he wants to stay out of the way of the game. He calls blatant penalties, but lets most “incidental” penalties slide. I think a lot of that comes from watching the NHL where the TV shows plays that are clearly penalties but not called (and the commentators say “the refs let them play on…”
    My son is a goalie and he’s done is fair share of “edge of the envelope” activity (i.e. just enough to not get caught) and sees the NHL goalies doing the same thing….

    As for the NFL, I’m sick of the horrid officiating at the league level. Would a referee as horrible as Ed Hoculi ever stay in the NHL?

  5. Dave Says:

    Thanks for the reply, Stephen. I think what you describe here is exactly the problem. Young referees are going to model what they see on TV, etc. At the youth level where 8-14 year olds are playing the sport, that is *exactly* the wrong thing. We need the refs there to control the game and teach the kids what’s right.

    It’s interesting, because (around here anyway) youth football and lacrosse are organized much differently than hockey. In those other two sports refs (almost unilaterally) do two things which I think would hugely benefit youth hockey. Before the game, they take the captains (or all the kids, depending on the sizes of the teams) and explain to them they’re looking for a fair game, how much contact is expected and tolerated (in lacrosse, anyway), and all of that. Then, during the game when a penalty or foul is called, the refs take a minute to explain to the kids directly what has happened. I can tell you from watching that this has a HUGE effect on the kids, even those from teams where the coaches tolerate/encourage dirtier play. More than parents and coaches, the kids see the refs as people to be respected and even feared a little — and that makes what they say stick very quickly. I’ve seen a single call from a lacrosse ref (and his ensuing explanation for the call) turn the heat down on an otherwise out-of-control game very quickly.

    The thing is, I can’t expect another child to have the wisdom or wherewithal to control kids that essentially are his or her own peers. I appreciate that kids want to learn to referee, but from what you’re describing here, Stephen, your son isn’t learning that properly, either. And that’s where the system is broken — the players *and* the refs are learning that “letting the game play on” is the right move, and what’s happening is the rules are slowly eroding away. If this continues, we’re going to see *more* injuries at the youth level, not less, and no one wants that. It’s really sad, because it’s a very easy situation to fix.

  6. Dave Says:

    Thanks for the reply, Stephen. I think what you describe here is exactly the problem. Young referees are going to model what they see on TV, etc. At the youth level where 8-14 year olds are playing the sport, that is *exactly* the wrong thing. We need the refs there to control the game and teach the kids what’s right.
    It’s interesting, because (around here anyway) youth football and lacrosse are organized much differently than hockey. In those other two sports refs (almost unilaterally) do two things which I think would hugely benefit youth hockey. Before the game, they take the captains (or all the kids, depending on the sizes of the teams) and explain to them they’re looking for a fair game, how much contact is expected and tolerated (in lacrosse, anyway), and all of that. Then, during the game when a penalty or foul is called, the refs take a minute to explain to the kids directly what has happened. I can tell you from watching that this has a HUGE effect on the kids, even those from teams where the coaches tolerate/encourage dirtier play. More than parents and coaches, the kids see the refs as people to be respected and even feared a little — and that makes what they say stick very quickly. I’ve seen a single call from a lacrosse ref (and his ensuing explanation for the call) turn the heat down on an otherwise out-of-control game very quickly.

    The thing is, I can’t expect another child to have the wisdom or wherewithal to control kids that essentially are his or her own peers. I appreciate that kids want to learn to referee, but from what you’re describing here, Stephen, your son isn’t learning that properly, either. And that’s where the system is broken — the players *and* the refs are learning that “letting the game play on” is the right move, and what’s happening is the rules are slowly eroding away. If this continues, we’re going to see *more* injuries at the youth level, not less, and no one wants that. It’s really sad, because it’s a very easy situation to fix.

  7. Mitch Says:

    Listen, I have been a hockey official since the age of 8 I am currently 18 so i have been officiating for 10 years. You think this because you are naive to how these refs are trained and the tests they have to go to to become a registered official. Don’t get me wrong there are some officials out there that cheat on test or just really don’t care but that has nothing to do with age. Also tripping is a penalty because when someone trips another person it creates an unfair advantage for the infracting team thus a penalty is called to even this and null the advantage gained by the infraction. Also even though you say you don’t care that your sons team lost you obviously are still bitter about it to be writing and blaming the refs for not calling border line calls. Also think about what would happen if what you are suggesting happened if the refs called every single technical infraction the game would be slow, boring, and most of all you would have wrote a story about how young refs call to much. The thing is the way you see it in the stands is biased you as a fan of your sons team will find any reason you can to justify the “reason” your team lost when in fact it is because the other team was better not because they were dirtier etc. they were better and 4-0 shows this i am just sick and tired of parents bitching about their kids loosing and blaming it on the refs just think what kind of example you are setting, that every time you fail just blame the person who is in authority. I would love for you or any of the fans in the stands at a squirt b game who consider themselves hockey experts after 2 years of their kid barely being able to skate hockey officials call the game because they know the rules they know when kids are faking when kids dive to try and get calls, you don’t you are a parent in the stand and you know exponentially less than the ref so shut up cheer you kids on and don’t bitch at the refs.

  8. Mitch Says:

    Listen, I have been a hockey official since the age of 8 I am currently 18 so i have been officiating for 10 years. You think this because you are naive to how these refs are trained and the tests they have to go to to become a registered official. Don’t get me wrong there are some officials out there that cheat on test or just really don’t care but that has nothing to do with age. Also tripping is a penalty because when someone trips another person it creates an unfair advantage for the infracting team thus a penalty is called to even this and null the advantage gained by the infraction. Also even though you say you don’t care that your sons team lost you obviously are still bitter about it to be writing and blaming the refs for not calling border line calls. Also think about what would happen if what you are suggesting happened if the refs called every single technical infraction the game would be slow, boring, and most of all you would have wrote a story about how young refs call to much. The thing is the way you see it in the stands is biased you as a fan of your sons team will find any reason you can to justify the “reason” your team lost when in fact it is because the other team was better not because they were dirtier etc. they were better and 4-0 shows this i am just sick and tired of parents bitching about their kids loosing and blaming it on the refs just think what kind of example you are setting, that every time you fail just blame the person who is in authority. I would love for you or any of the fans in the stands at a squirt b game who consider themselves hockey experts after 2 years of their kid barely being able to skate hockey officials call the game because they know the rules they know when kids are faking when kids dive to try and get calls, you don’t you are a parent in the stand and you know exponentially less than the ref so shut up cheer you kids on and don’t bitch at the refs.

  9. Dave Says:

    Thanks for the reply, Mitch. I appreciate that you’re passionate about what you do, and you believe that you are right.

    And I’m also certain that you get far more “bitching” from parents than you deserve. I think it’s great that you’ve been spending your time refereeing for 10 years despite all of that.

    However, your comment here proved my point 100%. You infer that you believe your job is to keep the game interesting and you should only call penalties that would otherwise make the game unfair. Doing anything else, in your words, is “slow” and “boring.”

    Let me tell you something about parents: by the time our kids get to the Squirt B level (i.e. 8-10 years old or so), we are so used to “slow and boring” that it doesn’t even phase us. We’re not 8-18 years old (as you have been) — we’re 30-40 years old (or older!), and we’re so damned proud of our kids that we’ll watch anything. Heck, parents go and watch youth *baseball* for Pete’s sake. That is almost literally the same thing as watching grass grow. Slow and boring are not complaints you’re likely going to get from any parents that I know! 🙂

    You’re also not out there reffing the NHL (well, no one is today…. but my point stands nonetheless). These are kids, and you (as the ref) have two primary jobs: keep them safe (#1), and help them learn (#2). Nowhere should you even be *concerned* with how fast the game is for the benefit of the spectators. That doesn’t even factor in.

    But here’s the thing: no matter how mature you are, you simply don’t have the life experience to form the appropriate perspective here. Our football referees are all 25+, and it makes a HUGE difference in how they call and manage the game. I certainly don’t agree with all of their calls, but they are approaching it from the right perspective. Lacrosse is also interesting, because half of our refs are kids in the 12-18 range, and half are in the 25-50 range. When the kids are left alone to ref a game, it’s very similar to what I described in my original post. But when just *one* of the refs is a true adult all of that changes and the entire game is handled appropriately.

    You (and all the other young referees) need oversight and regular coaching, just like you do on the ice. Not because of the rules of hockey, but because it’s so hard for you to have the appropriate perspective on what really is going on out there. I hope USA Hockey gets their act together on this one. It’s an easy problem to solve. Just make sure there’s at least one adult out there as a referee each game. Problem (mostly) solved.

  10. Dave Says:

    Thanks for the reply, Mitch. I appreciate that you’re passionate about what you do, and you believe that you are right.
    And I’m also certain that you get far more “bitching” from parents than you deserve. I think it’s great that you’ve been spending your time refereeing for 10 years despite all of that.

    However, your comment here proved my point 100%. You infer that you believe your job is to keep the game interesting and you should only call penalties that would otherwise make the game unfair. Doing anything else, in your words, is “slow” and “boring.”

    Let me tell you something about parents: by the time our kids get to the Squirt B level (i.e. 8-10 years old or so), we are so used to “slow and boring” that it doesn’t even phase us. We’re not 8-18 years old (as you have been) — we’re 30-40 years old (or older!), and we’re so damned proud of our kids that we’ll watch anything. Heck, parents go and watch youth *baseball* for Pete’s sake. That is almost literally the same thing as watching grass grow. Slow and boring are not complaints you’re likely going to get from any parents that I know! 🙂

    You’re also not out there reffing the NHL (well, no one is today…. but my point stands nonetheless). These are kids, and you (as the ref) have two primary jobs: keep them safe (#1), and help them learn (#2). Nowhere should you even be *concerned* with how fast the game is for the benefit of the spectators. That doesn’t even factor in.

    But here’s the thing: no matter how mature you are, you simply don’t have the life experience to form the appropriate perspective here. Our football referees are all 25+, and it makes a HUGE difference in how they call and manage the game. I certainly don’t agree with all of their calls, but they are approaching it from the right perspective. Lacrosse is also interesting, because half of our refs are kids in the 12-18 range, and half are in the 25-50 range. When the kids are left alone to ref a game, it’s very similar to what I described in my original post. But when just *one* of the refs is a true adult all of that changes and the entire game is handled appropriately.

    You (and all the other young referees) need oversight and regular coaching, just like you do on the ice. Not because of the rules of hockey, but because it’s so hard for you to have the appropriate perspective on what really is going on out there. I hope USA Hockey gets their act together on this one. It’s an easy problem to solve. Just make sure there’s at least one adult out there as a referee each game. Problem (mostly) solved.

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