Training League Team Expectations

The Training League is a collaborative effort and it takes everyone to help make our goals a reality! The more our teams, coaches and spectators can make Training League a safe space for new referees to learn, the more likely they will continue to referee, resulting in a growing pool of referees at higher levels in future seasons!

Here’s how coaches and spectators can help with their actions during matches:

How Spectators Can Help

  • Insults, harassment and criticism of any kind are not tolerated or allowed in any Training League game.

  • Even when you think you are being helpful, engaging and talking to referees is not allowed. To help referees learn, they need to be able to focus and make decisions on their own. You telling them what to call or watch is just adding ‘noise’ while they are trying to practice their job.

  • We know its hard to stay quiet during fun soccer games, but make sure any noises that come out of your mouth are positive and directed at your team!

    “Great job! Keep trying! Nice pass!”

    Do not make negative or passive comments about opponents or referee calls

  • If a player shoots the ball and misses the shot, you wouldn’t criticize them, right? You would encourage them and know they will learn from their mistakes!


    Referees need the same understanding. Mistakes and missed calls will happen but every game, every whistle and every call makes them better!

  • It is not the job of spectators to provide feedback on referees!

    Coaches and club leaders have processes to provide feedback on referees so the league knows what referees may need help or additional training games.

How Coaches Can Help

  • Make sure your team parents and spectators know the limits and expectations for sideline behavior.

    -Do not engage or criticize referees or calls

    -No ‘advice’, No arguments, and No engaging opposing players or spectators

  • Introduce yourself to the referee(s) before the game, ask if they have any questions, and let them know you are there to help if they need anything during the match.

  • Even when you think you are helping by telling them the correct call, it can really damage a new referees confidence to be corrected during play. Missed fouls, out of bounds calls, offside recognition are all things referees will get wrong, but will get better at as they continue to ref!


    Your job is not to train the referees, but to make sure they have a good experience at the game so they come back and try again.

  • If a spectator misses the memo, referees have been directed to ask coaches to help control sidelines.

    If a referee asks for helps controlling a spectator, we ask you walk to your group and remind them of the sideline expectations, and if necessary, ask the offender to leave the field.

  • Post-game, tell the refs good job, and thank you.

    Coaches can give feedback to the Training League through post-game reports. THIS is when you can tell us a ref may need a refresher on the buildout line, or just needs more confidence to make calls, or is doing a great job!

Coach Expectations

  • Make sure your team parents and spectators know the limits and expectations for sideline behavior.

    -Do not engage or criticize referees or calls

    -No ‘advice’, No arguments, and No engaging opposing players or spectators

  • Introduce yourself to the referee(s) before the game, ask if they have any questions, and let them know you are there to help if they need anything during the match.

  • Even when you think you are helping by telling them the correct call, it can really damage a new referees confidence to be corrected during play. Missed fouls, out of bounds calls, offside recognition are all things referees will get wrong, but will get better at as they continue to ref!


    Your job is not to train the referees, but to make sure they have a good experience at the game so they come back and try again.

  • If a spectator misses the memo, referees have been directed to ask coaches to help control sidelines.

    If a referee asks for helps controlling a spectator, we ask you walk to your group and remind them of the sideline expectations, and if necessary, ask the offender to leave the field.

  • Post-game, tell the refs good job, and thank you.

    Coaches can give feedback to the Training League through post-game reports. THIS is when you can tell us a ref may need a refresher on the buildout line, or just needs more confidence to make calls, or is doing a great job!