UNITED Campaign
What Is UNITED • Understanding • Need for encouragement • Integrity • Together • Enjoy the game • Development
Why UNITED • There is a 32% turnover rate of referees each year. • Of all of the referees in Indiana, 61% are under the age of 18. • To improve player, coach, and adult discipline. • To help create a learning and enjoyable environment for youth soccer.
Goals • To decrease the turnover rate of referees • To collectively improve the playing environment for youth soccer players • To educate adults on the laws of the game and best practices for youth soccer. • To improve the area in the area of dissent and fair play for players and coaches.
How? • • •
Pregame handshake (World Cup Style) before each league match. Pre-match message read by home club’s coach/manager Code of Conduct signed by players, coaches, referees, and parents. – Leagues/Associations can hold off giving trophies. – Referee assignments not given until code of conduct signed.
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Sideline Reminder Pocket Cards given by players to parents. Designated Spectator Areas (use cones to mark) Use of Team Captains to interact with Referees
Roles of the Captain • Wear captain’s armband. The league will supply these to the club. • Introduce yourself to the referee and opposing captain prior to the start of the match. • Meet with the referee(s) and the opposing captain prior to the start of the match. • Captain’s manage their own teams (including the coach) to ensure that harassment and opinions from other players do not occur. • Captain’s should know what is “undesired” behavior prior to the match with regard to harassment and challenging.
Roles of the Captain (continued)
• The captain is the only person allowed to openly ask for clarification for a referee’s decision before, during, or after a match. • The captain should relay any concerns from the coach to the referee at halftime. • The captain is not exempt from behavior that is deemed disrespectful to the official, opponent, and to the game. • A backup captain should be assigned by each team just in case the captain is unable to attend or finish the match. • Thank the referee(s) after the match.
Roles of the Referee(s) •
Meet with the captain’s prior to the match and at halftime to discuss examples of undesired behavior: –
Harassment:
• Running towards the referee in an aggressive manner. • Surrounding the referee to protest a decision. • Repeatedly asking questions about decisions in an attempt to influence the referee or undermine his/her responsibilities. –
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Challenging:
• Passing comment to other players about a referee’s decision-making. • Repeatedly moaning at the referee about decisions. • Gestures that obviously are made in a derogatory manner, such as a shaking of the head or waving of the hand. Manage the game. Work with both team’s captains to ensure fair play and curb down dissent.
Roles of the Referee (continued) •
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If players and/or coaches openly challenge the referee, they should first get a public warning. This is providing a player has not committed an offense that clearly falls under Law 12. If players, including the captain, and/or coaches continue to openly challenge the referee they (individual) should be cautioned and shown a yellow card. If players, including the captain, and/or coaches continue to openly challenge the referee after they (individual) have been cautioned a second yellow card should be shown. The individual shall then be shown away from the field. Thank the team captains after the match.
Roles of the Coach(es) • Inform the captain of their role in the match with regard to communicating with the referee. • Understand that the captain is the only person that is allowed to communicate to the referee. • Communicate to the captain any concerns at halftime to discuss with the referee. • Manage your team, not the referee. • No discussions, questions, etc. will be allowed before, during or after the match with the referee(s). If you have concerns privately communicate to your captain. • If shown a yellow card for dissent or undesired behavior to the referee, the club will be potentially fined $100. • If shown a red card for dissent or undesired behavior to the referee, an additional one game suspension will be applied along with $100 fine.
Monthly Themes • • • • • • •
January-Administrator appreciation February-Managers appreciation March-Field and Maintenance appreciation April-Volunteer appreciation May-Referee appreciation June-Coaches appreciation July-Parents appreciation
Monthly Themes • • • • •
August-Volunteer coach appreciation September-Youth Soccer month October-Service month November-Outreach month December-Pass it back month
Incentives • • • • •
Acknowledgement Better Environment Retention of Referees Retention of Players Increase Volunteers