Respect Campaign from FA

One more post coming to close out the Fall Season.

In the meantime, I attended a mentoring session on how to handle Dissent.  While the session itself fell short (IMO), they showed this video from the FA "Respect Campaign:  http://youtu.be/r0qGeADPzAs.

It is well known that we lose a lot of young refs due to, well, obnoxious parents and coaches.  Perhaps USSF should borrow this idea from the FA and make it required viewing by all parents and coaches.

Bye Week

I took a self-imposed break in the Fall Schedule last weekend.  Well, there were no regular season games, but THREE big tournaments that, as usual, were sending constant email blasts looking for refs.

Side question to other refs - does your area have sufficient refs?  Reading other referee blogs, it's tough to tell.  Granted, the games available are generally youth games, but I receive last minute requests for Adult Amateur refs too.

The good, the bad, and you know the rest

I'll start with the BAD, go to the UGLY, then conclude with the GOOD:

• BAD:  I had a U-14 P1 Girls' game.  2nd minute into the game, Yellow coach complains I missed a handling inside the penalty area.  I had a decent angle, saw nothing.  No signal from my A/R (opposite site - alleged handling was in my quadrant).  More importantly, no one from the Yellow team screamed "hand ball sir!" (yes, we usually get plenty of 'help' from the players on the field with those calls).  So all I said to the coach is "didn't see it sir".  HE JUST WOULDN'T let it go.  10 min later I do call a handling and he says "well at least *they* got their handling."  I also had one crazy 5 min stretch in the 2nd half where there were many almost fouls, but I didn't call any.  Also had one mysterious downed girl that I didn't see the cause because I did not remember my previous lesson - take an extra second looking behind the play before moving on.

OK so my two lessons here:  Ask, Tell, Remove!  Also, don't forget to call fouls - even if they are trifling - to keep the temperature down.  So at the end the coach felt like we conspired against his team.  I was done with him at that point, but I did not REMOVE him (I should have).  The sad thing is I worked with 2 Grade 8 HS refs who both have potential to really progress as refs.  They both thought I did a great job, and both thought the coach was an *sshole.  So congrats coach.  Not only are you ignorant, but your actions cause other young refs to think "why bother."  If we see each other again and you start, you won't finish.

All wet

You have to live along the Colorado Front Range to understand that weather that is 'routine' along the East Coast (namely, steady rain) or in Cascadia doesn't happen too often here.  Well Mother Nature conspired to do just that, give us a light to moderate rain right after my Fr/Soph HS game started this past Wednesday.  Multiple weird things happened.

• It started raining 5 min after we started the game.  Rapidly became moderate in nature, then alternated between light and moderate.  Of course, I had my trusty garbage bag (we all do, right?) INSIDE my gear bag.  Lots of good that did.  Managed to get a chance to get it OVER my gear bag during a break after a goal.

Initial Chill of Autumn

Well after the hottest August in Denver history (I love how the weather folks make that sound.  Um, weather 'history' goes back to the late 1800s and if you consider the relocation of the official station, it's even less than that, but anyway...), we finally had some good soccer weather this past weekend.  So onto the good stuff.

• As warned, only had two Prez Cup games.  Ran CR on a U-13 Boys game.  Had one situation where there was going to be a footrace for a through ball, so the Yellow Defender made a strong shoulder challenge (before the ball) on the Blue Attacker and knocked the attacker down (although not maliciously).  Long whistle from me.  Yellow Defender kept going - no argument from him.  Thought about a booking for a 'tactical' challenge, but score was already 2-0 in favor of Blue, game temperature was comfortable, and didn't think the game needed the card.  So I kept it in my pocket.  No arguments from anyone, and my ARs thought I made the correct move.  U-14 and up I would have definitely issued the card.  There's no definition in the Laws for a 'tactical' challenge - we just use it for game management.  Am I doing the game disservice by not issuing the card to a U-13 player?

Cramping My Style

Highlights from weekend of Aug 6/7:

• We had hot (mid 90s) and dry (dp 30s or lower) weather here along the Front Range.  On Saturday, I had 4 consecutive games - AR, CR, AR, CR.  Late in the 4th my calves started cramping BIG TIME.  To the point where there was a moment I could barely walk.  Not a good way to run center, even if it is just U-12 Boys.  I must have consumed 100oz of water during those 4 games just to stay hydrated.  If someone has an excellent idea on what to take during the middle of a tournament (read:  15 min between matches max, so it has to be fast, preferably something I can add to water) I'd love to hear it!

Summertime

Wow Summer has flown by.  The first major fall tournament in Colorado is during the first weekend in August (actually there are 2 that weekend).  We start competitive play the weekend before Labor Day.  HS Soccer starts Sep 1.  Didn't summer just start?

Few musings from the summer:

• The ECNL Championships were held July 14-16 out here.  For the teams that were here, yes, you brought the humidity from your home state to Colorado.  Fortunately, the biggest monsoon we've had out here for quite some time decided to relax a bit during this tournament.  I only managed to get one game due to family commitments, and mine was called just 10 min into the 2nd half due to lightening.  I think the girls (it was U-17) were tired or affected by the altitude because the play was nothing special.  Well except for the one team's GK who could punt the ball just about to the opposite attacking third.  Tired out the CR for sure.

Impeding Progress

One of the fouls spelled out by Law 12:  An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player impedes the progress of an opponent.

In one of my games this past weekend, I worked with a CR who's specialty is to call this foul.  I say 'specialty' because I've seen him do it in every game he's worked.  I also say this because he is about the only one who calls this foul.  He is 100% correct in his application of the law, the problem is the rest of us aren't; therefore, when it is called inevitably there is a howl from the coaches.  And in my game the call led directly to a goal, as the attacking team immediately took their IFK and scored (simple touch, then kick by player #2 while the defending team was confused).   A part of Law 12 that I need to watch for in my games, especially U-14 to about U-18.

Managing Coaches

Some observations about a few coaches that were in my games this past weekend...

• For my first game (AR1), one of the coaches was nattily attired in a fedora hat, dress shirt, slacks, shoes, and tie.  Not normally a coach's attire on a warm Sunday morning for a U-12 boys game.  So I had to ask the coach about his attire.  He is a minister/pastor and had to go conduct the 10a service (after the 8a game that is).  Well that's cool.  So I wondered how he would conduct himself on the sideline.  I also wondered when we missed a call if he'd summon some help from the divine entity who's word he was preaching.  The answer:  He was a class act.  Knew when to lean on his players.  Questioned one call, but very professionally ("Oooh, that was close sir.  Unlucky guys (aka players)").  His team did win by a good margin, but I think he generally conducts himself that way.

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:

Ironman

No I am not participating in any triathlon.  I'm not a runner. :)

In my context, "Ironman" is what we call running a JV / Level 3 game all by yourself.  For those games, we generally run dual refs, but for some reason we were really short on HS refs last week.  I was surprised we were so short on HS refs considering there have been very few weather related cancellations.  I could understand if the schedules stacked up due to a lot of makeups due to rain or snow outs, but that hasn't happened this Spring.

NOTE:  We never run Varsity as an "Ironman."  At worst case, we'll run dual refs as opposed to double dual (i.e. 3 refs).

Tax Day

Well it's Tax Day.  Which reminds me that my 1040 will be more complicated next year due to all the different organizations paying me to ref soccer.

I had 5 games this weekend not including my usual parent volunteer AR for my son's home games.  Three of them were back in the State Cup, although they were for U12 girls (good), all of which were already eliminated from playoffs (not so good).  I worked with a good crew at the State Cup, so it was fun and I learned a few things.   So after technically being 1/4 of the way to working enough games for USSF Grade 7 qualification, here's my progress report.

Offside or not offside. That is the question.

Monday:  First, I'm going to whine about my knees.  OUCH.  They are killing me.  I am a mtn biker and skier, not a runner.  I have not had a good chance to train my legs since my cold in early March and the subsequent Spring Cup.  So I go week to week with some ailment.  Today, both my knees are killing me.  I hobbled through Continental's Houston hub today, which I think requires the most walking of any major airport in the US and has the least amount of moving walkways.  Maybe except for O'Hare, if you ever have the fortune of going from gate C23 to F11.

OK Soccer!  I had two HS games (one JV, one Level 3) and 3 President's Cup games this week.

Seeing Yellow

This weekend we had typical early April weather along the Colorado Front Range.  Namely, a record setting high temperature day (Saturday) followed by snow the next day (Sunday).  Welcome back Spring, we missed you.

This being a soccer blog and not a weather blog, let me summarize this weekend's trials and tribulations:

1. Worked a U-17 Div 2 Boys game on a turf field on Saturday as AR2.  Late in the first half, Team A's player has the ball near the penalty area, I look away to reset my offside, and out of my peripheral vision I see Team B (defender) take a good fall.  No call from me, no call from the CR, and lo and behold, GOAL.  Uh oh.  Parents are not pleased.  Literally 2 min later it is halftime.  So obviously we talk about the 'foul.'  I glanced away, so I saw the effect but not the cause.  CR was in a trailing behind position, so he didn't see an obvious push.  Trail AR said there 'could' be a foul.  Offside is my primary responsibility, but my lesson at the higher levels is to take a better angle or learn to count 'one' then reset.  This is so I can give better information to the CR.

Hi. I'm here to assess you.

Highlights from the State Cup.

• It took me 5 min in my first game (CR for U-13 girls) to realize this is the real deal.  The players are more talented, faster, and the game experience varies widely.  The only thing in common with the other games I've worked?  Each parent believes they know the Laws better than you.  Sigh.
• It is great experience working with other refs (including Grade 7 refs).  You learn things.  You see how they handle situations.  I ran my first CR game too much like I run my Option 1 games.  I did so much better on Sunday.
• Blowout games are not fun.  The parents and players vent their frustration.  I was 2nd AR on a 7-1 game.  All 7 goals were scored in the 1st half on my side.  There were 2 offside calls that I did not make (meaning they were not offside).  One was close.  The other was clearly not offside.  Shot hits off the crossbar, rebounds to an attacker, easy goal.  Keeper goes berserk.  I had a real good CR who gave the Keeper a good 'ol chewing out.  No card though.  CR and I review the play at half and we both saw the exact same thing - the attacker was onside when the shot was taken, so of course he is still onside on the rebound.

Meat Loaf

The "Meat Loaf" reference is to his song "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad."  This past weekend, I had two great games.  The third (which was my first)...well...

The first game was a CYS Option 1 U13 F game.  The particular home club for this game only supplies a CR.  So we ask for and get parent 'volunteer' ARs.  Sometimes you get a fully certified USSF ref, sometimes you get a parent who has "done this before."  At any rate, the rule is that we cannot consult the 'volunteer' ARs on fouls - just throw ins, GKs, corner kicks, and offside if they know the rule.  The U13 game went well for the first 65 minutes.  Nice flow, just a few fouls.  THEN came minute 66.  Team A, which was winning 1-0 had a breakaway.  I am trailing the play.  There was a collision in the penalty area for Team B.  The girls went down in a heap.  From my trailing viewpoint, I saw a fair challenge.  Play on.  Then it was obvious the girls were hurt, so I stopped play.

Back in High School

As I mentioned, I had my first two HS games this past Tuesday.  The games were JV and Grade 3 (generally frosh/soph) games.  So I get to the HS and the first thing I notice is, damn I am old.  OK more seriously, I notice the home team is wearing Gold and the visitors Black, which, coincidentally, is the only shirt colors I have.  The other Side Ref (that's what we're called in the Dual system) happens to be the same dude that was an AR in my first USSF game.  That's way cool because he is a HS coach and has run HS games, so he knows the ropes and, more importantly, helped me with expectations.  Also, he had an extra red jersey.  So on went the red jerseys - problem solved.