Developing a Self-Protection Measure for Referees in Some Team Sports

The study aims to:Developing a Self-Protection Measure for First-Class Referees in Some Team Sports in Iraq.- To identify the level of self-protection among first-class referees in some team sports in Iraq. The researchers used the descriptive method due to its suitability and the nature of the research. The study population consisted of first-class referees in Iraq for some team sports (football, futsal, and basketball) working during the sports season (2021-2022), and they were selected using both the survey method and the correlational relationships method for their suitability to outdoor football and the nature of the research. The study sample consisted of (204) referees in the three activities, distributed as follows: (108) football referees, (48) futsal referees, and (48) basketball referees. The researchers used the self-protection measure they developed based on scientific principles as a study tool, and they used the statistical package (SPSS) to obtain the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, T-test for two independent samples, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The construction procedures included: (determining the dimensions of the measure, determining the method of formulating the items, formulating the items of each dimension in their initial form, and adopting scientific steps and procedures in building the measure, including content validity, face validity, and construct validity represented by (statistical analysis of the items) using the methods of extreme groups and internal consistency. The methods of split-half reliability and Cronbach's alpha were used for stability. The results showed: the existence of statistically significant differences in self-protection among first-class referees in some team sports in Iraq. The researchers recommended: establishing standards by the referees' committee for the officiating staff to qualify the referee for self-protection, facing pressures, and making decisions positively.