For several years now, there has been an epidemic of referee shortages throughout youth sports. Sadly, this shortage seems to be caused by a lack of respect and sportsmanship from athletes, coaches, and fans on the sidelines. Without the officials, games don't happen! It's important to respect the refs. Let's start by looking at what it takes to be an official.
Being a referee is a tough job! It starts well before the first whistle blows. For months (often years) leading up to your game, the ref has studied the rules and passed exams reflecting their knowledge. Before the game, they check to make sure the field is safe. They check in with both coaches and inspect players from both teams to make sure they have the required equipment to keep them safe. They ensure both teams have enough players and that the rosters are in order, to prevent forfeitures.
Once the whistle blows and the game begins, they ensure the game is played safely and by the rules. They are actively watching the active play, but are also looking elsewhere to ensure that activity away from the ball is safe and legal. They need to move quickly to be in position to see the action, while also not getting in the way of it. They track scores, points, time, and fouls. Many will also stop to help players understand a call.
When the final whistle blows, the officials are responsible for reporting what happened during the game. They let the league know of points, fouls, disciplinary actions, and sometimes injuries.
Referees are human and no matter how hard they try, they will make mistakes. In most of our games, there is just one ref to watch the entire field. They will not see everything. In addition, rules do change from time to time and that can confuse players, coaches, refs, and fans alike. Sometimes, fouls are not called because the team already has possession of the ball and stopping the play could deprive the team of the momentum of play, which could cost them a goal. Officials have a lot to think about during a game. Catching flak from players, coaches, or fans is a distraction that makes their job more difficult.
The bottom line is that no one, except the coach, should discuss calls that a ref has made. And regardless of the outcome, everyone should respect the referee and thank them for the time that they put into the game!