Soccer: A beautiful game that teaches life lessons

W hy do players play soccer?  There must be a 

number of reasons someone would go to practice several days a week in the cold and the rain and the heat to be a part of a soccer team.  One of the reasons could be to win. However, on every field, half of the players don't get that result, but they 

come back week after week. It must be more than just winning - wouldn't you agree?

Is it learning a new set of skills?  Playing a game with your feet is not easy especially when you are tired.  It may look easy to the fans, but when you try and do it yourself, you realize that moving at pace with defenders in front of you trying to take the ball away from you is not easy at all.  And running to space when you are tired and might not get the ball. That takes commitment.

Is it the opportunity to be with a team and to develop friendships that could last a life time?  We would all agree that this is certainly a part of why. Every summer teams reform. Players go to new teams for a variety of reasons.  These reasons help us understand why the players play soccer. It could be to be with a new coach and be challenged to learn new skills. It could be to rejoin with friends for the enjoyment of the game.  And, for many players, it is the opportunity to compete and to have that special opportunity to win (a league, a tournament or even State Cup). There are many reasons why players play soccer.

Why do people become Soccer Referees?  Now that is another good question.  Again, there must be a number of reasons why someone would pick up a whistle or a flag and wear the uniform of a soccer Referee.  Referees don't win or lose games, so we can eliminate this as a reason for becoming a soccer Referee.

Is it to learn new information?  It is interesting when you observe a new Referee Certification class.  You have players who have been playing the game for their entire life (OK, a 13 year old that has been playing for 5 years may not be an entire life, but it is a big part of their life) who say they become an even better players when they understand the Laws of the Game.

Is it to protect the players?   3 years ago, we had a young lady attend the Entry Level Clinic.  When we asked the students why they wanted to be Referees, she had a compelling story.  She was a player and got tackled from behind in a match resulting in her having her leg broken.  When we asked if the Referee called a foul for that tackle, she said NO and that was her reason for wanting to be a Referee.  She said broken legs should be a reason for calling a foul.

Is it because they think they could do better than the people that they have had as Referees?  Again, the new students have many stories to tell about the mistakes Referees have made in their matches. They want to see soccer played in a fair way and are confident they can deliver this result because of their love of the game.

Is it because they get paid?  This is a factor for many of our young Referees.  This is their first job. And getting paid - well that is worth working for.  When they realize they are being paid to be managers (of from 14 - 22 players, coaches, substitutes and fans), that causes many of them to excel.

What we can say for sure is they don't become Referees to get hollered at by people that don't know the Laws of the game. I know we have said it before, but the primary complaint of our Referees is getting hollered at by the fans. It is the primary reason many of them don't come back.

As you enjoy the winter break (I know that many of you are active in Futsal so there is no break) please think about these questions.  Coaches have a passion for the sport and for the kids. They want to bring out the best in their players and they want to win. They also want their team members to develop their natural persistence, determination, discipline, dedication, resiliency, leadership skills, work ethic, heart, and respect for others - not only in soccer competition, but in life.

And ask yourself why you are on the sidelines every week.  Should your answer to these questions be in the affirmative, consider being a Referee for Heartland.  To learn about the classes and to register for an Entry Level Clinic,

The Referees, like the players, are doing their best job based on their experience.  What happens when the parents think they made the wrong call? If we treated a player who missed a potential goal by shouting at them, would the player come back?  If they did, would they be willing to put themselves out there again?

The life lesson is that everyone makes a mistake (it is the price of being willing to get into the arena and compete).  If experience will make a better Referee, then let's make sure we are giving the young Referees the courage to learn and to try again.  Every State Referee started young, made mistakes and learned. Thank you for supporting our young Referees. We will continue to work with them to make them more effective.  We need your support and your help to make this happen. See you in the Spring.