Sports folks... going "against" your team

[sam_gordon]

I know we have a lot of sports fans on here and a couple things that happened over the last month that I thought would/could be a good discussion.

Both of these happened while I was watching DS' soccer games (although the examples are soccer, the theory applies to any sport)...
#1 Despite me make multiple comments in support of DS' team, one of the opposing players made an outstanding move and got around one of our defenders. I don't remember what I said, but I did comment about it being a good move and I was impressed. At that field, the bleachers were directly behind the benches and DS told me after the game his teammates commented about how I was "cheering" for the other team. Fortunately another dad came to my support and said "no, it's just recognizing good skill/move."
#2 At another game, one of our players was called "offside" (if you don't follow soccer, it's a rule violation, that's all that's important at this stage). I saw it live, and had time to look over and see the assistant referee raise his flag. From my view, it was pretty obvious. A couple of fans said "no he wasn't" and I said, "yea, his entire body was". I was told (by the fans) "don't root against us".

So, the questions are... can you acknowledge out loud that an opponent did something praise worthy? And can you acknowledge (again, out loud) when you think an official got a call right that goes against your team?

I'm sure someone will come on here and say "If you say something bad about the home team at 'x' stadium, you deserve everything you get." Should it be that way though? What's wrong with admitting an opponent makes a great play? What's wrong with admitting a player on your team screwed up?

 

[lanejudy]

I acknowledge good plays by the opposing team. I don't necessarily shout it out (like cheering) but I'll say something like "great save!" or "wow, that was an excellent move!" Often there are a couple others who kind of mumble similar.

I try not to comment about calls, but if someone is complaining I have at times stated that from my viewpoint it looks like a good call. There's often discussion in the stands anyway.

 

[soccerdad72]

I'll cheer on a good play by an opposing team's player. I have no problem acknowledging great athletes doing great things.

As far as calls go, when something is obviously right or wrong, I will say so. Usually nobody's asking me anyways Although the occasional time I go to a soccer game these days, now that I'm certified as a referee, I will get asked by people I know if they're near me during a game if I agree with a certain call or another. I try to keep most of my opinions to myself, generally speaking.

 

[easyas123]

I know we have a lot of sports fans on here and a couple things that happened over the last month that I thought would/could be a good discussion

Honestly, what you described in your post sounds to me like good sportsmanship. I can't imagine being so uptight as to not being able to acknowledge/recognize someone's sporting (or insert other ) abilities during a game just because they are on a different team.

 

[sam_gordon]

I will say, in situation #1, I didn't yell "great move", but I do have a loud voice and was apparently close enough for the bench to hear it. lol

As far as calls go, when something is obviously right or wrong, I will say so. Usually nobody's asking me anyways Although the occasional time I go to a soccer game these days, now that I'm certified as a referee, I will get asked by people I know if they're near me during a game if I agree with a certain call or another. I try to keep most of my opinions to myself, generally speaking.

While I agree there are definitely poor (if not flat out bad) officials and calls, I do sometimes wish I had a ref close by to explain why something might have been called.

I remember one tournament a couple of years ago there was a call I really didn't understand toward the end of the game. When we were going to our car, I saw the refs a couple of cars over. I went up to them and said something like "I'd like to ask about this call." I could see the eyes roll and they're thinking how they could get out of the conversation. I continued with "was it because of x, y, z, or something else...?" and I think they realized I wasn't critiquing them, but wanting to learn why they made the call they did.

Let's face it, most parents, in any sport, really don't understand or know the rules. Those who have been around the sport a long time PROBABLY have a better handle on it, but maybe not. I wish refs were willing to discuss/educate fans, but I also understand why they're not.

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh, and just to clarify, we're not talking about youths here. This was a U23 league, so the players were all college age if that makes a difference.

 

[soccerdad72]

While I agree there are definitely poor (if not flat out bad) officials and calls, I do sometimes wish I had a ref close by to explain why something might have been called.

I remember one tournament a couple of years ago there was a call I really didn't understand toward the end of the game. When we were going to our car, I saw the refs a couple of cars over. I went up to them and said something like "I'd like to ask about this call." I could see the eyes roll and they're thinking how they could get out of the conversation. I continued with "was it because of x, y, z, or something else...?" and I think they realized I wasn't critiquing them, but wanting to learn why they made the call they did.

Let's face it, most parents, in any sport, really don't understand or know the rules. Those who have been around the sport a long time PROBABLY have a better handle on it, but maybe not. I wish refs were willing to discuss/educate fans, but I also understand why they're not.

The first game I went to (not involving my son) after I got certified was Senior Night for my son's HS Girls team. There were a couple families who had girls on the team that also had boys that my son played with, so I went to support their daughters. I ended up sitting with those families and they knew I just got certified, so periodically, throughout the game, they would look towards me on calls that other fans (who, I have to say, were a bit over the top in their yelling) were upset by. I would say that probably 9 out of 10 of the calls seemed spot on to me. And the ones I might have called differently could really have gone either way. I did try to explain what (likely) the ref was calling and they appreciated it (my friends, not the other nutjobs in the stands )

 

[BrianL]

I wouldn't cheer for the opposing team, but I would recognize a great play, usually with something like, "Dang! You can't do anything about that!" I can recognize the skill but still not be happy about it. "Too bad they're not on our team!"

I tend to be honest about calls. I might not like it if they are getting very ticky-tacky toward my team, but not doing it to the other. If they are calling it tight but for both teams, then it is what it is.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Bills fan here.

The Bills vs Cardinals game from a few years ago with the "Hail Murray" play was freaking amazing!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

For your first example, I have many times said something to the affect of "that kid is good". I may even tell them they had a good game, if I see them away from our team. I personally won't complement them for beating our player. I can see why that would upset the player who was beaten, along with their parents.

In the second, I have said privately to DH or another family member that they got the call right, but never loud enough for others to hear. Let's face it, some people think the refs are always out to get them. They don't want to hear that it was a good call.

All that said, for others to say you were cheering for the other team was silly.

 

[jimmymc]

Real fans of a sport will recognize when a great play happens by the other team. Anyone who doesn't think that's ok probably doesn't understand the sport as well as they think they do.

 

[Praying Colonel]

You can root for your team and still give credit where credit is due. It's a part of good sportsmanship--respect for your opponent and the game.

 

[sam_gordon]

You can root for your team and still give credit where credit is due. It's a part of good sportsmanship--respect for your opponent and the game.

That's obviously how I feel. We've (DW & I) have complimented players on other teams as long as our kids have been playing sports (over 20 years now). These instances though happened in the last month by "experienced" (presumably) fans & players.

 

[Ning Ning]

I know we have a lot of sports fans on here and a couple things that happened over the last month that I thought would/could be a good discussion.

Both of these happened while I was watching DS' soccer games (although the examples are soccer, the theory applies to any sport)...
#1 Despite me make multiple comments in support of DS' team, one of the opposing players made an outstanding move and got around one of our defenders. I don't remember what I said, but I did comment about it being a good move and I was impressed. At that field, the bleachers were directly behind the benches and DS told me after the game his teammates commented about how I was "cheering" for the other team. Fortunately another dad came to my support and said "no, it's just recognizing good skill/move."
#2 At another game, one of our players was called "offside" (if you don't follow soccer, it's a rule violation, that's all that's important at this stage). I saw it live, and had time to look over and see the assistant referee raise his flag. From my view, it was pretty obvious. A couple of fans said "no he wasn't" and I said, "yea, his entire body was". I was told (by the fans) "don't root against us".

So, the questions are... can you acknowledge out loud that an opponent did something praise worthy? And can you acknowledge (again, out loud) when you think an official got a call right that goes against your team?

I'm sure someone will come on here and say "If you say something bad about the home team at 'x' stadium, you deserve everything you get." Should it be that way though? What's wrong with admitting an opponent makes a great play? What's wrong with admitting a player on your team screwed up?

Absolutely to both scenarios! Now, would I ever let the referees know that one of our players was offside? Heck no! What they don't see against us is their problem.

And, yes, if a kid on the other team made an extraordinary play, I would definitely acknowledge it, although probably not if I was sitting right behind my kid's bench.

 

[bsmcneil]

So, the questions are... can you acknowledge out loud that an opponent did something praise worthy? And can you acknowledge (again, out loud) when you think an official got a call right that goes against your team?

I agree with your stances completely.