"I was once a ref for a game with kids under 10. I was doing my very best, and I made what I still believe was a good call. Well, one woman on the sidelines didn't think so. She said, "That stupid bitch doesn't know what she is doing." I calmly walked over to her and took the whistle from around my neck. Then I pulled off the perfect revenge."
"Hey Prudence, I told her I was doing my best as a volunteer. I explained we needed people with more knowledge about the game, and that we were having a terribly hard time getting parents involved. I told her I was thrilled to have found someone who could do a better job, and I tried to hand her my whistle! She looked terribly embarrassed and declined. Neither I nor the other refs heard anything from her after that."
A volunteer referee for youth soccer received a harsh insult from a sideline spectator after making a call. The referee calmly approached, removed the whistle, and offered it to the critic while explaining volunteer challenges and the need for more involved parents. The spectator declined and appeared embarrassed, and the team's sideline became noticeably quieter and more supportive for the remainder of the season. The episode illustrates that composed, direct confrontation in a safe setting can defuse hostility. Another recollection notes the high pressure of officiating duties and the potential to panic under similar scrutiny.
Read at Slate Magazine
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