A few years ago, in Africa, poachers badly thinned the elephant herd of adult male elephants and young male elephants started behaving badly and tearing up communities. Solution; they brought in some adult male elephants from other areas and standards of behavior were quickly reestablished.
When a youth football program is having discipline problems, engaging and working closer with the local officiating organizations to collaborate on standards, establishing rules for security, game management responsibilities, rules clinics and presentations for both coaches and parent, establishing acceptable coaches behavior standards and creating, publishing and ENFORCING serious penalties for non-compliance can go a long way towards setting an acceptable tone that will produce an enjoyable, positive experience for everyone.
When a few idiots ruin things for the majority, is it more their fault or the fault of the majority for allowing the idiots to practice their craft? Sometimes well meaning people need specific assistance, advice and guidance in designing and managing their leagues. Who better to provide such assistance than the local officiating organization, who should be pleased and eager to establish a long term consultant relationship.
