How much dissent should we allow?

[galenm]

Must be disappointing to have had no response after such a length of time, but I'll give it a shot, although you may believe it a non-answer

It depends.

There is a definite characteristic or attitude in a behavior that takes it from personal frustration and emotional play into the arena of dissent. As Al Gore said in his concession speech, [paraphrased] I violently disagree with the decision, but I will accept it. Many players will abide a call they do not agree with, and I would not flag that as a dissent [expression of disagreement].

It is when through word or action that they demonstrate to me that they do not accept the legitimacy of the call and the right of the referee to make the determination and not the player that I will invoke dissent. As I look at significantly higher levels of play, I see exponential diminishing of dissent-like activities, yet we seem to be unable to enforce courtesy and respect at our club and high school level matches.

More dissent cards, and more seated time for players, will go a long way to controlling the matches we officiate, but we will need the unwavering support of the coaches in our efforts as well. When a coach instructs his team that "yelling at the ref is [his] job", he is NOT teaching the proper message about dissent. In fact, he is reinforcing the notion that a referee's calls DESERVE contradiction.

This is a thread I wish more folks would respond to, and I would relish hearing the opinions of others in this type of discussion.