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As someone who use to ref a lot, here is what I would say.

The best refs start off strict and then relax as the game goes. This allows the players to know that it is not going to be tolerated. After they know this, many will stop committing the silly fouls. On the other hand, it is much more difficult to start loose and get tight. Emotions and hormones get going and can't be controlled. I would much rather have an official start tight and loosen up. And they must be consistant, that way a coach can adjust the way their team is playing.

fritz,

That's a very good general rule, and consistency is most important. If it's a foul against one team, the same foul should count against the other team.

But in the interest of being consistent, why wouldn't a foul in the first half not be a foul in the second half? Why wouldn't a referee select to call a foul in the penalty area in the manner that he would call the same foul at midfield?

There is a great deal of subjectivity involved while a referee is trying to be objective.

As you know, it's not easy. Golden rule: Be fair, be consistent, keep the players safe.

One last thing
How many times have we seen players or parents that are a distraction for the team as a whole but the coach looks the other way because he/she thinks the player makes the team or is all that..Not a healthy atmosphere for a team and encourages parents to try and throw their weight around..I think everyone can relate to this one..

Hurst,

Not that I wouldn't call it, but...

My experience was that if you call it, and are vocal about "no more", the foul stops occuring.

For instance, if the first 3 times a player hits a player from behind on a ball in the air you call it and tell them no more in front of everyone, it usually stops. Therefore not needed to call it later, relaxing.

Consistancy is the most important thing. I am okay with a consistantly bad ref if they call it the same way all the time.

"I really wish the USYSA and SCYSA would implement a policy that whatever bench a team takes the parents are to sit directly across from their players."

Please don't do it. I'm with Clark on this one. Find me a place out of this brutal heat, and that goes double for my fair skinned 4 year old watching her sister. Last week at Trident, MPSC and Cainhoy parents huddled under the shade of a big Oak was quite a sight. And not a bad word between them. In fact quite the opposite.

Just coaching one team this season and having the luxury of watching my U11 son play most of his games and enjoying my moments on the parent sideline with parents of different clubs, etc. I know in the lowcountry, at least, many of these kids are close friends (in school) and that goes for the parents also. had a great time opening weekend with some friends from CUSC and would hate for any legislative pressure removing that opportunity.

Just use common sense parents please.

I watched a game where a friend was the center ref. When a parent complained about a call, the ref responded to the parent, "sir, the call is made by what the referee saw, not you." Seems logical to me.