I had a lot of State Cup Assignments this year. Part of the reason I'm sure is I'm more experienced. Another part is I'm being observed and obviously passing these informal assessments.
Since I'm still fighting my nagging plantar fasciitis injury from last year, my fitness level isn't where I want it to be. It's good enough for normal reffing, but for State Cup you need to be better than normal. To try to compensate, I've consumed the Gatorade "Prime" Pouch about 30 min before my CR games. As far as I know, that does not contain caffeine, but it seems to put me on 'edge' - a comment I've received on 2 separate occasions from my more experienced ARs. I know all the supplements in the world are no substitute for good fitness, so I'll just have to work on getting healed and improve my fitness level.
So onto the more interesting highlights.
1. Life as a 4th ref. For State Cup QFs onward we have 4ths. I was a 4th for a QF and a 4th for a U17 Finals (which was recorded!). Interesting job. I've seen 'active' 4ths that are constantly helping the CR, and 'passive' 4ths which just handle subs, record goals/cards, and keep the technical areas (especially the coaches) under control. So I'm not sure really how to do this job. One would think it is easy, but in actuality the person with the 'easiest' job in a 4 man team is AR2. Except for the parents.
2. AR for Prez CupU14 Finals. Oh I learned a lesson here! Ball is on my end near the goal line, I see the ball go across the goal line, raise my flag to indicate I have information for the CR (ultimately a GK), CR never looks over. So I'm wondering "what do I do?" I'm now way out of position. So I drop my flag thinking play is leaving my half. Nope. Ball is turned over and a quick goal is scored. FORTUNATELY, AR1 and our 4th notice I had my flag up so they tell the CR "go talk to him." I told the CR the ball went out but you never looked over. We correctly rule "no goal" and restart with the GK. Of course, our SDA is observing us. After the game, he asked me what I saw, and what I should've done. He did compliment us (the CR and me) for getting the call correct; otherwise, we had a Misapplication of the Laws situation, which is protestable. Now I know. Stand there with your flag raised all night if you have to. :)
3. CR for U16 Quarterfinals. Aerosmith has a song "Living on the Edge" and I felt that way this entire game. I had 2 Grade 6 referees on my team, plus another Grade 6 'observing'. What's with all these Grade 6s on my games? Anyway, I felt real uptight to start the game. I screwed up an early call when I saw a ball go out for a goal kick, but my AR2 signaled CK. The correct answer would have been to just wave him off and say "Goal Kick", or find out what he thought he saw. I deferred to the AR2, which was the wrong answer! So now I'm uptight and I seem unsure. Not good.
The game was physical and hard fought. At half I told my other refs "This game is right at my bar. It could go either way." I also told them that I felt uptight most of the first half and finally started relaxing the last 10 min. They all saw that in my body language. Other than reinforcing some positioning and making better eye contact on the fouls, the word I got was "KEEP CALLING WHAT YOU ARE CALLING (and NOT calling)." I managed to do that the 2nd half despite the whining and occasional coach complaints. Issued one yellow, should've issued a 2nd, but managed to keep my calls consistent.
Of course, we're tied after 80 min, so in State Cup we now play 2 extra time periods (15 min each). I'm TIRED at this point - and yes in between full time and extra time my AR1 said I needed to pick up my work rate. I agreed, knowing I was getting lazy (more correctly - TIRED). Late in the 1st extra time period the Blue team scores. I know the last 5 min of the 2nd extra time period was going to challenge me. It did. I kept my fouls consistent and the game finally ended without me making a late call to change the game. Whew!
I know the high level youth games are what I need to ref to get better, along with adult amateur games. The SRA also asked me when I was going to upgrade to a Grade 7. Probably next Spring based on my CR games and my anticipated schedule. So I'm glad I'm developing a good reputation - not many Grade 8s were given State Cup Finals games (and generally just 4th officials at that). Now if my body can hold together...
Memorial Day weekend. 9 games for me, could've doubled that if my son wasn't playing.
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