At what point do you acknowledge fans/parents?

[ILRef80]

So, I was working a 7/8 girls doubleheader tonight and in the 2nd game we ran into an unruly group of parents. There was about 20 of them total and 10 or 12 were the type to complain about any and every call/no-call. They were screaming at us EVERY TIME down the floor. The insults were getting personal and it really angered me that they would display this type of sportsmanship in front of the impressionable girls.

Towards the end of the game, I was very close to having game management take care of it, but decided to hold off. Just a very frustrating night, I've only been a referee for 3 years but it was the worst I've seen at any level. And it was a junior high game!

[Nevadaref]

At the point which I ask game management to remove them. Until then I ignore them.

[Husker John]

I would ask the coach of those fans to intervene. After that, get them out

[ILRef80]

Do you give them a chance to knock it off before doing so? It also must be noted that they were still yelling when the game had been long decided (*their* team was ahead by 20-25 points through most of the 2nd half).

[Nevadaref]

Perhaps it would be easier if I would just quote what it says in the NFHS rules book.

2-8-1 NOTE: The home management or game committee is responsible for spectator behavior, insofar as it can reasonably be expected to control the spectators. The officials may call fouls on either team if its supporters act in such a way as to interfere with the proper conduct of the game. Discretion must be used in calling such fouls, however, lest a team be unjustly penalized. When team supporters become unruly or interfere with the orderly progress of the game, the officials shall stop the game until the host management resolves the situation and the game can proceed in an orderly manner. In the absence of a designated school representative, the home coach shall serve as the host management.

[ILRef80]

Interesting. Obviously that's something I want to do as a last resort, I just wanted to get others' opinions. Oddly enough, neither of us heard a peep out of the coach all night, it was just this one group of fans.

Thanks for the input.

[TimTaylor]

Fans? ......... What fans?

Seriously, I completely ignore them unless they cross the line, at which point 2-8-1 comes into play per Nevadaref's post.

[rainmaker]

At the minimum, say something to your assignor, and perhaps he/she can talk to the AD or the league about working more on sportsmanship.

If they are getting personal, I think it's over the line. If they get abusive or specifically insulting as opposed to just loudly disagreeing, it's over the line. Then you need to stop the game and have game management take care of it.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

At the point which I ask game management to remove them. Until then I ignore them.

What he said.

[Husker John]

At times we all react to calls. As a coach/player/fan and official we all have different angles on the same play. We can't possibly see the things the otherone does. We can react. Disappointment, disagreement whatever, but it should never cross the line to becoming personal.

At the risk of preaching to the choir, officials shouldn't have to take that. When attacks become personal, it demonstrates incredible immaturity. I coached an 8th grade girls team last year and I can tell you that even the most competitive girl playing at this age is there to socialize as much as win. Watch them after them game. I am sure that the kids get incredibly embarrased when they realize its their parents doing this.

If this is a team you have to officiate for again, I would suggest that during the pregame the officials approach both coaches to watch for this and ask for their assistance controlling the crowd if necessary. You can tell that problems have occured in the league recently and we want to nip this in the bud (they don't need to know that it was their team).

[Texas Aggie]

Honestly, I don't care what's said. If they start interfering with the game, they'll be out of there, and fast. I've had games where either the school or the police got fans out long before I ever would have.

One time I had a playoff game where a kid goes out of bounds chasing a loose ball. He stepped on the line before touching the ball, so I call OOB, but he ends up in the stands. Most of the fans sitting around protect themselves and everything's OK, but one idiot, who wasn't even touched by this kid, gets up and basically gets in his face and says something. I was sort of shocked since we hadn't had any trouble all night, but the kid's first reaction to level this guy was stopped by a teammate (and me as soon as I figured out what was happening). On my way over to the table to get someone to get this guy out of there, I looked back over my shoulder to get a better description and this cop (with arms and shoulders as big as Iowa) is on him. I stop and watch while this cop gets rid of the guy and we play on.

A few minutes later we had a time out or something and I see the cop near the baseline where I am. I walked over and said, "hey, man, thanks for the help on that guy." He looked at me and said, "you're my man!"

[Husker John]

We are all compilation of our own circumstances. In any 7/8 grade game I have been to has not had officers their to enforce the peace. Unfortunately, I am aware that this is not the case everywhere.

In the original case described in this thread there may be other resources that sometimes help. In addition, officials that have far more game experience would take other actions.

Like I said in my last response in no case should an official have to take the kind of verbal abuse that was given. In your description, there should never, ever be the kind of physical contact that you described. I am glad that I have never coached in, nor my kids played in that kind of environment.

One final note, this last fall in our middle school age football league, there was a point of emphasis from the league for the coaches to control the sidelines including the fans. Twice, I felt that our fans had continued their yelling beyond what I was comfortable with. Each time I walked onto the field and looked at the fans and said enough. Both times the fans calmed down and each time, I was thanked by the officials afterward.

It can work sometimes, but not in all. I hope you don't face too many environments like you described.

[dave30]

Bribe a kid to throw a bad pass REAL HARD in the direction of the worst offender.

[rainmaker]

Had a freshman girls game, total blow out (V losing), 9 fans in the whole gym including two obnoxious boys who were really razzing one visiting player who was somewhat overweight. Comments not loud, but very comprehensible and absolutely offensive.

The player was getting rattled. No game management in sight. Home coach not even noticing. Partner wasn't willing to address the situation. Middle of second quarter, I went over to stands and said in my most mother bear voice, "You idiots!! Either shut up or get out!" I'm big and loud, but not usually very aggressive or confrontive so I wasnt sure how it would go over, but they got up and left in a hurry.

When AD finally showed his face again, I just reported what I'd done. He asked me to come outside and identify the boys, who were in fact, still standing around!! He talked to them and kicked them off the property.