Navigating the high-pressure environment of sports officiating—whether you’re on a lacrosse field in Georgia, a soccer pitch in Manchester, or the Olympic Hockey Rink in Italy—requires more than just a mastery of the rulebook; it demands a thick skin and a steady pulse. Dealing with bad sportsmanship is an inherent part of our job as referees. We often serve as the lightning rod for the frustrations of players, coaches, and fans alike.
Maintaining a high tolerance for criticism is vital because the moment an official takes a comment personally, their objectivity is compromised. By staying grounded and “filtering” the noise, you ensure that the game remains focused on the athletes and the integrity of the sport, rather than the conflict on the sidelines. As Gordon Corsetti often said, “don’t have rabbit ears!” Ultimately, your composure is the “anchor” that prevents a heated match from drifting into chaos, flags, and ejections.
This is not to say that an official should not use all of the tools at their disposal to address bad sportsmanship, but it must be commensurate with the behavior. Being told you “don’t know the rules” or that’s a “bad call” is a part of the game. Those statements are radically different from personal attacks and slurs. Don’t go nuclear as the first step. It only adds fuel to the fire and leaves with nowhere else to go. Use the “Ramp,” start with a verbal warning, move on to a loose ball conduct foul, then to a 30-seocnd technical and finally to an Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul.
Please take some time to watch this 2020 presentation with Gordon Corsetti and Jeremy Redmon on what not to say in your games.