Penalty!

Three things of note from the big Memorial Day Weekend tournament, two of which involved PKs:

1. In one of my son's games, his team was (correctly) awarded a PK.  So the player took it, ball hits crossbar and rebounds directly to him.  He couldn't quite control the rebound, so all he managed was a weak shot and ultimately the keeper got the ball.  EXCEPT...the CR (and I for that matter) both forgot a minor thing.  Law 14 clearly says "...If, after the penalty kick has been taken, the kicker touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team..."

   That makes total sense.  The same player cannot "double touch" any free kick, whether direct or indirect.  Of course, in this case the ball hit the 'woodwork' prior to the player committing the "double touch."  So an unusual double touch, but one nonetheless.
   
   

The Rain in Colorado

Well Mother Nature obviously read my last posting about how our Spring has been dryer than normal.  And She took offense.  So she started the rain (and a bit of snow) machine.  After 4 1/3" of rain in the last week, our fields are soaked.  You have to live along the  Colorado Front Range to know that, for us, THAT'S A LOT OF RAIN (outside of the summer monsoons).  The official rain gauge is at the airport which tends to be 'dry' in their measurements so to speak.  The result of all that rain is a scramble to get the Spring Season finales in knowing that some of the fields have been taken down.  It also results in last minute cancellations and no-show games.

The net result of all of this is that my first game in 2 weeks (other than parent A/R) was a CR for a U-17 game.  I've worked a handful of U-17 as AR, but never CR.  So going in, I was a bit nervous.

Spring Finals

Well our dryer than normal Spring has permitted the following to wrap up this past week, on schedule:

• Girls HS.  Post Season JV tournament.  Had a doubleheader in the 'consolation' bracket on Friday.  Very nearly issued a yellow card to a girl who didn't like the fact I saw her push with both arms the opposing girl.  I just said "don't argue with me!" and she got the message.  Turned out she was given a red card at the beginning of the tournament for dissent.  Otherwise, the soccer was pretty good, with both games - that only counted for pride - reasonably well played.

• Spring Regular Season.  Well almost.  Got some money for nothing (that would be a no-show) and an uneventful U-13 girls' game.

• State and President's Cup.  My U-16 boys game was the conclusion of group play.  In other words, it was meaningless in the standings.  Got to flash some yellow, teach a few others the fine art of dissent, but always felt like I was in 'control' of the game.

Oh but the U-15 Finals.  It would not be President's Cup without some controversy, and this was no different.

Somebody's Watching Me

Yes, this is Rockwell's one hit from the 80s (actually, EVER!) - and it was a hit solely because Michael Jackson provided backing lyrics.

It's also the truth when you are reffing.  Somebody is watching you.   Consider: