How should I hndle this? Should I complain to the referee during the game?  Unfortunately the young referees normally giveIFKs based on the linesman's decision even if it is blatantly wrong. Our parents are often getting very upset and have started to get very vocal to the point where I am worried about them causing trouble on occasion.

Any suggestions / comments welcomed.

Sandy

Sandy

Similiar subjects have arisen on here before and i used to pull my hair out most weeks whether due to an oppostions parent refeering or running the line. There is a huge shortage of officials in grass roots football so its such a difficult sublect to comment on but i have seen so many decisions which are more than just dubious.

When players are looking to learn not only how to play the game but to also understand it during a match then dubious descisions do not help anyone.

I've seen goalkicks given when a ball has been in play by about 5 yards, i've seen penalties given when the attacker has handballed it and i've even seen a ball go out of play by a good 10 yards a parent kick it back on and the ref and linesman saying "play on" everyone stopping as it was so blatant but someone going on to score, i know they say play to the whistle but you really had to see this to believe it!

Sorry i cant give any advice but it definatley is a problem and i think in an ideal world at least three of the parents who regulary go and watch their children play should try and do some sort of refeering/ linesman course to fully understand the game.

I can feel my blood pressure rising as I read your dilemma.  Incorrect decisions are frustrating, but are part of the game. Our players make just as many incorrect decisions as referees, if not more.  What isn't part of the game is unqualified people (parents or not) making calls from the sides.  If it were me, I would suggest the following:

If only parents are available then play without assistant referees.  In this case, tell your players to give the lone referee the benefit of the doubt and not to question decisions.  At this age group, the focus should be on playing well technically and not worrying or paying ay attention to refereeing decisions. 

Take the parents out of the equation and model the right behaviour and more of the calls will go your way and the parents will adopt the right attitudes.

Good luck

Dave

I also, along with others, have this same problem. I will speak with the ref first before the game, and then not allow any parental interference. The ref should be close enough to most of the calls to make the right decision. If not, then time must be called and the situation taken care of. This could be very hard on away games, but be firm. It will pay off in the end. Keep up the good work.

MCG

I want to address your issue from 3 points: the officials, the players, and finally the parents.

First the officials. As an official of nearly 40 years, there are going to be decisions that are correct and incorrect and unfortunately with what seems to be an increasing crisis in the number of officials, you as a coach have to live with getting good officials and bad officials. It is also how you deal with bad calls that will reflect in both your players and parents reactions. You have to accept calls no matter how bad they are. You can certainly discuss rule interpretations with officials after a game (perhaps even during a game if you can do it cleverly and carefully), but do it respectfully. Also have your as many of your parents and players do an officials course, even if it is not a real one. Sit down with them and spend a few hours going over the rules. Do it at a parents house one night and make it a team activity with pizza and soda. If that can't be done find a source on line for rules and send it to the parents so that they understand.

Second, do not allow you players to get into a debate with officials, even if it is a blantantly incorrect call. Bench them if they do!  Also teach them to avoid being offside, by making diagonal runs or even starting their runs later so the fine line about being offside is reduced. Unfortunately the offside rule is one of the hardest to understand by many and certainly is some cases very judgemental.

Finally, demand the parents stop talkign to the officials. Tell them that if they continue then you will ask them not to attend games, either on a temporary basis or permanently. You nee to be strong on this, and strong with the parents. They must set an example for their child and the other players that officials must be respected even when they make mistakes. I have never seen an official change a call because a parent yelled at them, and that also goes for players and coaches. What are parents teaching their child when they yell at officials? It must be stopped, and you are the one that can inforce it, but also get help from your club and set a policy for the club of dealing with parents who do this.

Here are some website for rules of soccert for parents, but just type in on the internet the topic and you will find endless sites some with free downloads.

http://www.soccer-for-parents.com/soccer-rules.html

http://www.my-youth-soccer-guide.com/soccer-rules.html

Here is also a web site for parents behavior, but your club should have something in place for their parents to read regarding this. If not write one and go on line to see examples from other clubs.

woodbridgeyouthsoccer.com/.../Soccer_Rules_For_Parents_Behavior.doc

Dufeu 58 ideas was good, and can see that he's got good soccer knowledge.

alright, 2 thing.

1) you have to let parents know these offside issue does happen very often all over the world, especially youth football. parents must have realistic expectation regarding offside problems.

and you also set agreement with them on these issue. like what Dufeu58 suggest.

2) yourself need to face these problems very often as well, as long as you're still in this line. also have realistic expectation that MOST of the youth coaches and ESPECIALLY parents, they really know nothing much about football. YOU HAVE TO GET USE TO IT. AND BEAR WITH IT. 

( my personal opinion in youth soccer coaching is 90 percent of parents involve football doesn't know much about football coaching. what to do!!!  

Phuabh