{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T13:49:33Z","timestamp":1790776173850,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,2,1]],"date-time":"2020-02-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1580515200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"J\u00f3zef Pi\u0142sudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw","award":["DS.304"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["DS.304"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>We assume that all institutions and individuals involved in the organization of sport for children and young people should utilize the educational potential of sport. We assessed the quality of referee interactions with children during sports competitions in soccer. Based on the developmental theory and research suggesting that interactions between kids and adults are the primary mechanism of their development and learning, we focused on the quality of the referee\u2013player interactions in terms of (1) emotional support, (2) game organization, and (3) instructional support. Twenty-five soccer referees who refereed matches for children aged 9\u201312 years were recruited. The Referee Educational Function Assessment Scoring System (REFASS) was used to assess the quality of the referee\u2013player interactions. This tool was developed based on Classroom Assessment Scoring System\u2014Upper Elementary. Regarding the REFASS dimensions, the mean scores for positive climate, Sensitivity, behavior management, content understanding and quality of feedback were in the medium range, while productivity and negative climate in the high range. In the case of the positive climate variable, the lowest mean ratings were recorded compared to other assessed dimensions. The assessments of the quality of referee\u2013player interactions obtained for particular dimensions translated into the ratings for the specified domains. The highest ratings were given to game organization (6.0 \u00b1 0.8; Me = 6.0), whereas the emotional support and instructional support were in the medium range (4.6 \u00b1 1.5; Me = 4.5, and 5.2 \u00b1 1.8; Me = 6.0, respectively). Referees are usually not aware of their pedagogical function and the complexity of their respective responsibilities. They are commonly considered to be ordinary technicians and evaluators of performance in competition. Based on the results, a postulate was formulated that referees should consciously perform a pedagogical function in the youth sport. Therefore, it is necessary to train them in educational methods and techniques appropriate to the age and needs of the child. The referees will then be prepared to take actions to prevent negative behavior of players on the field and to encourage prosocial behavior.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17030905","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,2,3]],"date-time":"2020-02-03T11:28:31Z","timestamp":1580729311000},"page":"905","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":18,"title":["Pedagogical Function of Referees in Youth Sport: Assessment of the Quality of Referee\u2013Player Interactions in Youth Soccer"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2828-4733","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Wies\u0142aw","family":"Firek","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education, J\u00f3zef Pi\u0142sudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7192-4102","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Katarzyna","family":"P\u0142oszaj","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education, J\u00f3zef Pi\u0142sudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4711-6612","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marcin","family":"Czechowski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education, J\u00f3zef Pi\u0142sudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,2,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"475","article-title":"Wychowanie poprzez sport \u2013 mi\u0119dzy nadziej\u0105 a zw\u0105tpieniem (II) [Education through sport \u2013 between hope and doubt]","volume":"7\/8","year":"2004","journal-title":"Sport Wyczynowy"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"381","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychsport.2008.09.006","article-title":"The link between children\u2019s sport participation and self-esteem: exploring the mediating role of sport self-concept","volume":"10","author":"Slutzky","year":"2009","journal-title":"Psychol. 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