about a call but… 90% of the time they are professional about it… It’s not disrespectful or demeaning," said Benson.
In all, officiating a game means ensuring the athletes are growing in skill. "Part of the training we advocate [is]… there are three core components: safety is first, skill development is second, and positive experience for everybody there is the third component," said Carboneau.
Reaction of Parents
Parents can be the instigators of conflict during games. With the rise in popularity of lacrosse, many parents have begun to learn more about the sport and become more invested in it. However, this can also mean more parents will exhibit bad sideline behavior.
"It was funny because I had a coaching clinic 14-15 years ago and the instructor said 'You are the luckiest
coaches in the world. You coach a sport where people don't know what it’s about and no one is an authority and everyone is complimentary because nobody knows the game,'" said Klim.
But times have changed, he added. Often because parents think their kids might get scholarships playing lacrosse, their
attitudes may become more aggressive and channel that aggression to their kids. And while it is great when young athletes to go on to play collegiate lacrosse, that isn’t the hope of MBYLL. Klim said, "That’s great if it happens, but the MBYLL hopes that the kids and enjoy the game and continue to play."
Although rare, parents "coaching" from the sidelines can happen and it can become ugly. "I’ve been at games with parents that have been removed from the games because they were just out of control," said Klim. "I remember I went to a game, a long time ago. I heard a parent say, 'Take 'em out take 'em out at the knees.' And I [said], 'Sir, that’s not what the game is about.'"
With learning the game comes learning how to act during the game, and according to Benson, parents have begun to act better. The PCA teaches parents to select a "culture keeper," said Mahery. "[This is] a parent that recognizes behavior in the stands and talks to parents calmly about how to represent the team and community," he said. The culture keeper ensures that all behavior that is agreed upon is deemed appropriate for the game.
MBYLL also has their own literature that is given to parents at the beginning of each season called the "Parent and Player Guide" that outlines specific behaviors and goals for the season. "We simply try to remind all participants about our season goals: safety, sportsmanship, fair play, and fun always," said Spangenberg.
"Parents need to realize that at the end of the day with most youth sports that it’s not about winning, it’s about the team getting better," said Mahery. The PCA encourages parents to show positive reinforcement such as cheering for the other team. "The main point is that parents really need to understand that it’s not about them and it’s truly
about their kids," said Mahery. "It’s more about the journey and the life lessons that [the athletes] learn as opposed to the outcome and the final score and the final record at the end of the season."
Influencing the Players
With all the elements of sideline behavior,
how does this amalgam of personalities affect the players on the field? Whether positive or negative, behavior from coaches, officials, and spectators can greatly influence a young athlete’s experience playing lacrosse.
"Team behavior can come from the coach," said Benson. Mahery agrees. "If a coach is respectful of opponents and officials and really wants you to play hard and play the game, then you won't see that from the players. And if you do, then the coach is going to take care of it because that is not something they want to have a part of the game," he said.
A coach's influence can be more impactful than expected. Benson said maturity plays an important role in a young athlete’s ability to decipher his coach’s language. "Those messages that are sent to the
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