Adolescents are at a time in their life at which they are very insecure, forming an identity, and experiencing hormonal imbalances. Adding adrenaline and competition to the mix jumbles it even more. These young people have lots of help during this time--mostly parents, with the addition of church leaders, teachers, coaches, etc. If referees even make the list of helper it is very low. I think when a call or a play goes against a young player, they are facing the experiences of failure, looking bad in front of peers, opponents, adults, etc. It is a typical adolescent reaction to cuss, try to show off, talk back, or do whatever to try to maintain their sense of security. I appreciate a ref who understands this and does not try to teach the child all the lessons at once--if a player gets a yellow and reacts (backtalk, cursing, shirt waving) it is understandable and I do not think they need a red because they apparently did not get the point. Most of my points are general.
Perhaps in this situation the referee should have spoken to the LE coach (and he may have if he explained the yellow, but the parents and Camden coach would not be privy). Without being there, it sounds as though Camden was being beaten soundly and the Camden crowd instead of graciously accepting was screaming at the refs (and possibly the player and coach). If so, I can hardly blame the girl whose team had proved itself on the field responding to those screaming parents with a shirtwave of victory. Do I want it to be allowed in the rules, no--but I do want refs to have some patience and understanding in their judgment and it sounds as if this one may have. (I am assuming the player was wearing something under the jersey--otherwise a definite red)
Last edited by kickman; 03/30/07 04:07 PM.
