
The Social Ref: How to Become a Better Referee and Umpire
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Shawn D. Madden
-
By:
-
Shawn D. Madden
About this listen
Want to become a referee or umpire?
It's not your calls, it's your Communication!
Most referee and umpire training materials stink. They spend so much time focused on rules and signals, they miss the simple communication ideas that will help you survive those scary first few games, and become a better sports league official.
What do you do when a decision is 100 percent correct, and everyone hates it? How do you handle conflict and confusion? What brain instincts and habits make it harder to become a great referee?
Shawn D. Madden, founder of Underdog Sports Leagues, takes 20 years of experience training recreational refs, and teaches communication for any sport or program with Five Key Communication Habits.
Loving sports is never enough. You need a communication system to get you through the tough calls, and the hard games, that sink so many new refs.
Do you train and teach other refs and umps? Are you constantly short refs for your program? Do new umps quit on you after their first tough game?
The Social Ref Program is ideal for new referees and umpires in College Intramural Leagues, Charity Tournaments, Parks and Rec, Youth Leagues, and Adult Sport and Social Clubs like Underdog.
Get the ref tips and ump advice your league needs for new and veteran officials.
Whether it's flag football, softball, little league baseball, basketball, or even kickball and dodgeball, this guide will help you become a better referee, umpire and communicator for your league and teams, and just maybe in your life!
Bonus Content: The Social Ref audiobook includes two hours of bonus content including "Ref Huddle" commentary not included in the printed version, an interactive CAP exam to test your diffusion skills, and an interview with Jay and his thoughts on an 8,000 game career as a recreational referee and umpire.
©2019 Shawn D. Madden (P)2019 Shawn D. MaddenListeners also enjoyed...
-
It's Not All Black and White
- From Junior High to the Sugar Bowl, an Inside Look at Football Through the Eyes of An Official
- By: Mike Liner, Doug Hensley
- Narrated by: Stephen J. Black
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From junior high football games to the Sugar Bowl with a national championship up for grabs, Mike Liner has seen it all in football. President and CEO of a bank by day, Liner has been a Texas football official on Fridays and Saturdays for the past 35 years. It’s Not All Black and White offers a view of college football seen through a different set of eyes, the eyes of an official. Liner takes listeners through the story of his ascension up the officiating hierarchy and describes the bumps in the road he encountered along the way.
-
-
Love the story line
- By Paul W. Bailey on 12-29-21
By: Mike Liner, and others
-
Verbal Judo, Updated Edition
- The Gentle Art of Persuasion
- By: George J. Thompson PhD, Jerry B. Jenkins, Lee Fjelstad - foreword, and others
- Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When you react, the event controls you. When you respond, you’re in control. Verbal Judo is the classic guide to the martial art of the mind and mouth that can help you defuse confrontations and generate cooperation, whether you're talking to a boss, a spouse, or even a teenager. For more than a generation, Dr. George J. Thompson's essential handbook has taught people how to communicate more confidently and persuasively in any situation.
-
-
Kept thinking it was already started
- By Kim Dushinski on 05-24-17
By: George J. Thompson PhD, and others
-
2019 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual
- By: Dusty Dellinger, Tom Honec, Jorge Bauza
- Narrated by: Mike Mehling
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This umpire manual is the definitive resource for professional and amateur umpires alike. It is the official umpire manual and rulebook for Minor League Baseball Umpire Development (formerly PBUC). This MiLB manual contains over six hours of narration of the official rule interpretations and clarifications used throughout Minor League Baseball.Changes in the 2019 edition include the numbering of interpretations. These have changed from previous editions due to the addition of 20 new interpretations for this season.
-
-
Great Read for Any Umpire
- By Joseph Pallazzo on 10-11-19
By: Dusty Dellinger, and others
-
Whistle Blower
- My Autobiography
- By: Mark Clattenburg
- Narrated by: Richard Burnip
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mark Clattenburg found himself in the centre circle, whistle in hand, at the start of 450 Premier League matches during a highly eventful 13-year career in football's top flight. He has shaken hands with, issued red and yellow cards to, and been sworn at by hundreds of players. He has been screamed at and shared jokes with dozens and dozens of managers. And he's felt the wrath of thousands upon thousands of irate fans. His autobiography is the ultimate guide to what it's really like to be in the referee's spotlight.
-
-
Excellent peak behind the curtain
- By Chris Leonard on 04-12-23
By: Mark Clattenburg
-
The Decision
- Overcoming Today's BS for Tomorrow's Success
- By: Kevin Hart
- Narrated by: Kevin Hart
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Superstar stand-up. Blockbuster actor. Celebrity-powerhouse. Kevin Hart is about to add one more significant title to his already impressive resume: Your life coach. Yes, you. In this follow-up to the New York Times best-selling memoir, I Can't Make This Up, Kevin goes all-in on getting you mentally fit by skillfully breaking down and sharing the same tools and rules he's developed to elevate his own life, to inspire and help transform yours.
-
-
Wow! You gonna learn today!
- By William on 05-21-20
By: Kevin Hart
-
As They See 'Em
- A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires
- By: Bruce Weber
- Narrated by: Charley Steiner
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Millions of American baseball fans know, with absolute certainty, that umpires are simply overpaid galoots who are doing an easy job badly. Millions of American baseball fans are wrong. As They See 'Em is an insider's look at the largely unknown world of professional umpires, the small group of men (and the very occasional woman) who make sure America's favorite pastime is conducted in a manner that is clean, crisp, and true.
-
-
Judging Umpires
- By Bruce on 11-28-09
By: Bruce Weber
-
It's Not All Black and White
- From Junior High to the Sugar Bowl, an Inside Look at Football Through the Eyes of An Official
- By: Mike Liner, Doug Hensley
- Narrated by: Stephen J. Black
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From junior high football games to the Sugar Bowl with a national championship up for grabs, Mike Liner has seen it all in football. President and CEO of a bank by day, Liner has been a Texas football official on Fridays and Saturdays for the past 35 years. It’s Not All Black and White offers a view of college football seen through a different set of eyes, the eyes of an official. Liner takes listeners through the story of his ascension up the officiating hierarchy and describes the bumps in the road he encountered along the way.
-
-
Love the story line
- By Paul W. Bailey on 12-29-21
By: Mike Liner, and others
-
Verbal Judo, Updated Edition
- The Gentle Art of Persuasion
- By: George J. Thompson PhD, Jerry B. Jenkins, Lee Fjelstad - foreword, and others
- Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When you react, the event controls you. When you respond, you’re in control. Verbal Judo is the classic guide to the martial art of the mind and mouth that can help you defuse confrontations and generate cooperation, whether you're talking to a boss, a spouse, or even a teenager. For more than a generation, Dr. George J. Thompson's essential handbook has taught people how to communicate more confidently and persuasively in any situation.
-
-
Kept thinking it was already started
- By Kim Dushinski on 05-24-17
By: George J. Thompson PhD, and others
-
2019 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual
- By: Dusty Dellinger, Tom Honec, Jorge Bauza
- Narrated by: Mike Mehling
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This umpire manual is the definitive resource for professional and amateur umpires alike. It is the official umpire manual and rulebook for Minor League Baseball Umpire Development (formerly PBUC). This MiLB manual contains over six hours of narration of the official rule interpretations and clarifications used throughout Minor League Baseball.Changes in the 2019 edition include the numbering of interpretations. These have changed from previous editions due to the addition of 20 new interpretations for this season.
-
-
Great Read for Any Umpire
- By Joseph Pallazzo on 10-11-19
By: Dusty Dellinger, and others
-
Whistle Blower
- My Autobiography
- By: Mark Clattenburg
- Narrated by: Richard Burnip
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mark Clattenburg found himself in the centre circle, whistle in hand, at the start of 450 Premier League matches during a highly eventful 13-year career in football's top flight. He has shaken hands with, issued red and yellow cards to, and been sworn at by hundreds of players. He has been screamed at and shared jokes with dozens and dozens of managers. And he's felt the wrath of thousands upon thousands of irate fans. His autobiography is the ultimate guide to what it's really like to be in the referee's spotlight.
-
-
Excellent peak behind the curtain
- By Chris Leonard on 04-12-23
By: Mark Clattenburg
-
The Decision
- Overcoming Today's BS for Tomorrow's Success
- By: Kevin Hart
- Narrated by: Kevin Hart
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Superstar stand-up. Blockbuster actor. Celebrity-powerhouse. Kevin Hart is about to add one more significant title to his already impressive resume: Your life coach. Yes, you. In this follow-up to the New York Times best-selling memoir, I Can't Make This Up, Kevin goes all-in on getting you mentally fit by skillfully breaking down and sharing the same tools and rules he's developed to elevate his own life, to inspire and help transform yours.
-
-
Wow! You gonna learn today!
- By William on 05-21-20
By: Kevin Hart
-
As They See 'Em
- A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires
- By: Bruce Weber
- Narrated by: Charley Steiner
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Millions of American baseball fans know, with absolute certainty, that umpires are simply overpaid galoots who are doing an easy job badly. Millions of American baseball fans are wrong. As They See 'Em is an insider's look at the largely unknown world of professional umpires, the small group of men (and the very occasional woman) who make sure America's favorite pastime is conducted in a manner that is clean, crisp, and true.
-
-
Judging Umpires
- By Bruce on 11-28-09
By: Bruce Weber
-
The Men in Blue
- Conversations with Umpires
- By: Larry R. Gerlach
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The philosopher Jacques Barzun thought that "whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball". And whoever wants to know baseball had better learn about umpires. As Larry Gerlach points out in The Men in Blue, these arbiters transform competitive chaos into organized sport. They make it possible to "play ball", but nobody loves them.Considering the abuse meted out by fans and players, why would any sane person want to be an umpire? Many reasons emerge in conversations with a dozen former major-league arbiters.
-
-
A Classic Sports Book
- By Steven on 06-02-16
By: Larry R. Gerlach
-
It Pays to Play
- How Play Improves Business Culture
- By: Kristi Herold
- Narrated by: Kristi Herold
- Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Organizations that provide opportunities for employees to playfully connect, bond, and build friendships see improvements in retention, engagement, and innovation. Intentional play at work creates a culture that benefits all employees’ physical and mental health and the company’s bottom line. It Pays to Play is a rich resource filled with ideas for play at work—whether in person, hybrid, or remote—and illustrates how the ROI from play is multifaceted and exponential. Learn the ways play can be easily and affordably implemented regardless of your industry.
-
-
You've got to read this
- By MZ on 07-02-23
By: Kristi Herold
-
Relentless
- From Good to Great to Unstoppable
- By: Tim S. Grover, Shari Wenk
- Narrated by: Pete Simonelli
- Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than two decades, legendary trainer Tim Grover has taken the greats - Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and hundreds of relentless competitors in sports, business, and every walk of life - and made them greater. Now, he reveals what it takes to achieve total mental and physical dominance, showing you how to be relentless and achieve whatever you desire.
-
-
An exercise in ego
- By Ryan on 05-08-21
By: Tim S. Grover, and others
-
Rookie
- Surviving Your Freshman Year of College Soccer
- By: Dan Blank
- Narrated by: Don Bratschie
- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Coach Dan Blank once again over-delivers for listeners with another essential how-to book for college-bound soccer players. Written in the same plainspoken tone that shot Soccer IQ to best-seller status, Rookie is more conversation than book. It gives rising college freshmen a revealing preview of life as a college soccer player and provides them with a wealth of survival tips for making the most of their debut seasons.
-
-
Scott Johnson
- By Scott Johnson on 06-01-18
By: Dan Blank
-
Eleven Rings
- The Soul of Success
- By: Phil Jackson, Hugh Delehanty
- Narrated by: Matt Walton
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During his storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. This is the story of a preacher's kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship - six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers. This book is full of revelations.
-
-
Listener Beware
- By Robert S. Wegener on 07-12-13
By: Phil Jackson, and others
-
The Big Miss
- My Years Coaching Tiger Woods
- By: Hank Haney
- Narrated by: Hank Haney
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Big Miss is Hank Haney's candid and surprisingly insightful account of his tumultuous six-year journey with Tiger Woods, during which the supremely gifted golfer collected six major championships and rewrote golf history. Hank was one of the very few people allowed behind the curtain. He was with Tiger 110 days a year, spoke to him over 200 days a year, and stayed at his home up to 30 days a year, observing him in nearly every circumstance....
-
-
Very Mixed Feelings
- By Ed Robertson on 03-28-12
By: Hank Haney
-
Coach to Coach
- An Empowering Story About How to Be a Great Leader
- By: Martin Rooney
- Narrated by: Brian Hutchison
- Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than 20 years, author Martin Rooney has coached professional sport stars, Olympic champions, and business leaders to high levels of performance, analyzing thousands of real-life examples of what works and what doesn’t. Coming across like a simple parable, this engaging audiobook gives you an easy-to-use yet highly effective formula for becoming a better coach for your teams, in your business, and in your personal life.
-
-
Heck yeah
- By SEB24 on 10-30-24
By: Martin Rooney
-
Getting to Neutral
- How to Conquer Negativity and Thrive in a Chaotic World
- By: Trevor Moawad, Andy Staples
- Narrated by: Russell Wilson, Ciara
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s easy to be positive when everything is coming up roses. But what happens when life goes sideways? Many of us lapse into a self-defeating negative spiral that makes it hard to accomplish anything. Getting to Neutral is a step-by-step guide that shows listeners how to use mental conditioning coach Trevor Moawad’s innovative motivational system to defeat negativity and thrive.
-
-
The Story Behind This Book
- By OroPreto on 01-31-22
By: Trevor Moawad, and others
-
Let Them Lead
- Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team
- By: John U. Bacon
- Narrated by: John U. Bacon
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When John U. Bacon played for the Ann Arbor Huron High School River Rats, he never scored a goal. Yet somehow, years later he found himself leading his alma mater’s downtrodden program. How bad? The team hadn’t won a game in over a year, making them the nation’s worst squad. With almost everyone expecting more failure, Bacon made it special to play for Huron by making it hard, which inspired the players to excel. Then he defied conventional wisdom again by putting the players in charge of team discipline, goal-setting, and even decision-making—and it worked.
-
-
Fantastic Listen
- By John T. on 04-20-25
By: John U. Bacon
-
Bo's Lasting Lessons
- The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership
- By: Bo Schembechler, John U. Bacon
- Narrated by: John H. Mayer
- Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Bo's Lasting Lessons, the coach draws on his years of experience, using first-person anecdotes to deliver timeless lessons on leadership, motivation, and responsibility. With pithy language, Bo explains that true leadership requires the compassion to actively listen to your people, and then to have the courage to do what is right every time.
-
-
Bo
- By Onlyme on 03-28-24
By: Bo Schembechler, and others
-
The Matheny Manifesto
- A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life
- By: Mike Matheny, Jerry B. Jenkins
- Narrated by: Mark Deakins
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mike Matheny was just 41, without professional managerial experience and looking for a next step after a successful career as a Major League catcher, when he succeeded the legendary Tony La Russa as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. While Matheny has enjoyed immediate success, leading the Cards to the postseason three times in his first three years, people have noticed something else about his life, something not measured in day-to-day results.
-
-
If your a youth coach, get this book
- By Brady on 12-11-15
By: Mike Matheny, and others
-
Everything Your Coach Never Told You Because You're a Girl
- And Other Truths About Winning
- By: Dan Blank
- Narrated by: Don Bratschie
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by Dan Blank, Everything Your Coach Never Told You Because You’re a Girl is one of the most inspirational stories ever written for the female athlete. Coaches and teams of all sports – from soccer to golf to equestrian – have embraced this book as the foundation for a new brand of female competitor.
-
-
Not just for female soccer players
- By Rory on 04-20-15
By: Dan Blank
What listeners say about The Social Ref: How to Become a Better Referee and Umpire
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JP
- 02-13-20
Great Resource for New or Experienced Refs/Umps!
I listen to this book on my way to/from work, and it's fantastic. Highly recommend this book for new or experienced referees/umpires. You won't be disappointed! If you want to become a better official, you need this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 11-05-19
Audiobook even better than the paperback!
I had read The Social Ref early this year, but the audiobook is even better. Shawn does a great job narrating & illustrating his points about what makes a great social ref/ump/official. Highly reccommend!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DanUNC
- 02-29-20
A Revelation for a 20-Year Veteran Ref
This is an amazing book. I've been a ref for 20 years and, although I've experienced all the scenarios in the book many, many times, I've never identified the uniqueness of each situation and had a system for how to address each particular one. I see my job so much differently than I did before reading the book. Taking into account the player perspective and responding in the most appropriate manner will elevate my referee staff's performance and lead to considerably greater respect from players and a better overall game for everybody.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 03-24-20
Game Changer
Great book! It was a recommendation from my co worker Kate. Amazing job at putting major player - referee scenarios and tips about how to handle them and how to become a better referee.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Eric
- 11-12-19
Wow - finally a book that nails what’s really important as a referee
If you’ve never refereed before or have thousands of hours under your belt, this book is a must for ANY referee!
For new officials this book will shift your perspective on what’s most important through some of the powerful concepts laid out and will set you on the right path to get a jump start on what it normally would tale years to learn on our own the hard way.
If you have years of experience under your belt already, there’s plenty of great material in here for us as well. Soooo wish I would have had this starting out in this field 10 years ago!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tyler S. Spear
- 03-05-20
Good tools for new officials
Good stories and lots of material that would take a beginning official to the next level. I disagree with some of the comments on movement; but otherwise it gives lots of good meat.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Beth Schafer
- 02-26-20
Great listen regardless of which sport you officiate!
While this book talks mostly about Flag Football the lessons Shawn shares are more than applicable to most sports. We need more positivity like this or we will continue to lose officials nation wide.
Also - Shawn narrates this book and is very easy to listen to!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!