The Nuts Cycle

It seems that, since we have no budget in my department (otherwise known as the job that fuels the habit); work seems to very between very boring, to extremely insane - aka The Nuts Cycle. I'm in the later right now, so writing will wait - besides, because of facilities conflicts (and a trip out-of-town), it'll be three weeks before I can ref again.

28 January '04 - 15:38 - theref - default| - § ¶

Revamped Links List

I decided to try to make the links list (along the left side) larger and better organized. The Official Sites list has the prerequisite organizations (and yes, Ask a Referee provides official USSF sanctioned answers, so I put them there); Referee Organizations, various other ref and soccer related links, and then a list of some of the good articles (not the one's I've trashed) I've found since doing this thing. I hope it helps and does you some good.

26 January '04 - 09:28 - theref - default| - § ¶

You can't please everyone

Ton of games yesterday - I wouldn't normally do that many games, except that I knew the first three (at the dreadded YMCA gym) wouldn't require a lot of running. The other four would be at the same place I ref on Mondays, the only difference (besides the day of the week) is that they turned out to be boring. Almost all of them. I know it was the first day of the session, but I did three at a different location the day before, and three in the morning - and those weren't boring.

Then again, I was on the field where Monkey boy bled all over the place. Maybe the damper that he puts on sportsmanship changed over the week to a damper on interesting play. My guess is that they'll get better as the sessions continues.

The morning was more interesting, mostly because (as mentioned earlier), I hate working this venue. The coordinator and I talked for a while about how we wanted the games called; they've been trying to get these games as close to non-contact as possible, and I said that's what I would call. So, if there's a challenge, it needed to be perfect, and I would err on the side of caution - blowing the whistle on a clean play rather than let risk injury. Four of the teams (the first two games), loved it. This was good, because one of the teams was known for causing problems; and another, not for being troublemakers, but for playing a very intense game that some opponents couldn't deal with. Lot's of "Best Referee here" and "please come back" comments. I made sure to explain that I've had plenty of games "go to hell" there, too - so in case I do, their expectations are not unattainable. Last two teams (at least they were consistent) didn't - they even said that they should be able to play there like in outdoor - AAACK! There's working with teams, and there's teams that just don't understand how easily their brains could be speared across the wall. Ended up booking one guy for dissent; and another for a trip that sent a guy into the concrete wall (unintentional - and he agreed that I had to be paranoid around that wall).

It'll be nice to have grass (and no obstructions) again).

26 January '04 - 09:27 - theref - default| - § ¶

Start of a Busy Weekend

For one lone weekend, it's almost like reffing in the summer... except that it's on astroturf, astroplay, and wood. :(

Did the first of two days of "filling in" as the league gets their schedules worked around. This was was back at another college, in a dome, on a rug- it's also the first day of the new league policy of recording all yellow and red cards - YEA!!!

It's hard to judge its effect right away; usually teams are pretty good on the first day of the session; but most of the captains said they recieved the email of the policy change, and they made sure to their "repeat offenders" or "Gold Card Members." I can't take credit for the last one; but it's amusing because the captains know who their goons are. Looking forward to see how it turns out.

Games were pretty tame, as expected; there were a couple of close ones where the intensity level increased; most were settled by a couple words, including this set, said descretely to one player (who's also a bit of a hot-head) at halftime: "I know number thirteen's a bit hyper - and I'm watching him, but when I do that, I'm also watching what's done to him." And it worked, too - not a problem from either of them the rest of the game!

I did get to impliment the new policy, though: player made a hard charge... on the goalkeeper. He was looking for the ball, but not where he was going. Tweet! I pulled him over, as he was a little miffed, "I'm not going to card you, but you need to know where you're going," and seeing he needs a little more to make the point, "look at it this way: the referee is a goalkeeper." That didn't work, because 30 seconds later, he fouls another person at the other end, and earns a yellow card for persistent infringement. Yes, only two fouls, but he just got a lecture - since there's no minimum number of fouls in Persistent Infringement (remember, it can be committed by the team, so only one foul by any particular person can do it), it seemed prudent. He apologized at halftime, admitting he was "out of control" and everything went swimmingly the rest of the game.

24 January '04 - 17:26 - theref - default| - § ¶

Best of 2003: Fictionalized Laws

I'm probably proudest of this article versus the others - others are better written, have better content, etc. But this one, in addition to addressing a common misconception, prodded me to write an additional piece designed to be distributed to players/coaches/fans, etc. to help dispell it. And, if one night's distribution says anything at all, it worked. You can find the hand-out here - be sure to tell me if you find a mistake (grammatical or otherwise). I need to re-type the pieces from the ATR and the Laws, so they print better, but it's still readable, and you're welcome to use it yourself.



Here's the article/incident that prompted it (more)

23 January '04 - 12:44 - theref - default| Only one comment - § ¶

Does this make me a bad guy?

My first responce was, "Yes!" My second was, "It couldn't happen to a more worthy guy." Third, fourth, fifth didn't change a whole lot. And after more than twelve hours after hearing about it, I'm still wishing I could have seen it happen.

Tasteless? Yes. Understandable? Maybe.

I'm talking the bozo who has been giving me so much trouble of late; HE BROKE HIS NOSE!

Sorry, I can't help it, it must come out again...

YES!!!

OK, this is odd - in more than three years of reffing, I've never had the kind of vitriol I've reserved for him. I think it's because he is, in equal porportions, a whiner, an idiot, and a provocateur. When I think of people who do a disservice to the game of soccer, this man, more than any coach I've seen (and if you've read my stuff, imagine how serious that charge is!) is the worst. And the worst part about it, is that he's good - he does not need to be an obnoxious prick who thinks his immortal soul is riding on the game. But even if it is, it's his own stupid decision to make that deal, I don't give a rat's ass if he fries in hell or not (more)

22 January '04 - 14:02 - theref - default| - § ¶

Best of 2003: Can you see it? Yup, the ugly train's on its way

Coulda woulda shoulda - hindsight is not always 20/20, and that's what this article is about. I've had far uglier games, but this was probably the ugliest I had during this year's high school season. And in retrospect, this was a very good thing! I kept the game in control - I just didn't accomplish what I wanted to (keeping 22 players on the field).

The bad news to coaches and players is that this is how referees learn - there ain't no other way (maybe one of you brainiacs can create a "holo-suite" ala Star Trek where we really can practice). In this case, while I may have made a tactical mistake, it was one I made to try to keep a team from going over the edge. Perhaps I did - perhaps the cards were unnecessary or too much; then again, perhaps it did send the correct message, and that one person just wasn't willing to listen. They're called judgement calls, and the only one who can make them is the odd looking person in the middle. (more)

21 January '04 - 15:03 - theref - default| - § ¶

Goalkeeper Collisions

Goalkeepers are a different breed, although the reason why is a chicken and egg type of thing. Here are the two definates: Goalkeepers have massive amounts of brain damage; the position of goalkeeper is massively different than field players, usually involving less running and more physical contact. Now the question is, are the keeper's brains' damaged before they pick up the position? Or are do they aquire the brain damage as a result of playing between the sticks?

Only one thing is certain: continued and excessive brain damage will result in that keeper becoming a referee.

The Laws of the Game say very little about goalkeepers,and nothing about how it's played. They state where the goalkeeper can pick up the ball, where they can't, the punishments for infringments based on where they can't, and that they have to wear different colored jerseys than all the other players (technically, by the way, teams and keepers have to change their shirts before the referees do - I've never seen any referee even bother to ask - given how obstinate some coaches can be, It's my suspicion that they've decided that it's better to fight their battles elsewhere). That's it. But the game for the goalkeeper is vastly different, and they're given for more latitude than any field player; they fling their bodies in front of other rushing into them; they jump up for balls knowing they're going to run into someone else.

The nature of the game today assumes that the goalkeeper puts themselves in vulnerable positions. Therefor, it's the referee's job to determine where where the normal insanity ends, and where the protection begins. Goalkeepers will take contact, they will get injured - if they play it long enough, it is a given. The question is where the line is drawn; for me, it's a matter of positions.

Take your classic breakaway at the top of the penalty area: both the striker and keeper rushing toward the same point, anywhere from one, to 15 yards from goal. The Law says that even the fingertip of the goalkeeper on the ball can constitute control , which means if the unless that keeper has the ball, chances are I will allow that collission (there are exceptions, of course, given the game and the score); now if the keeper did get control of the ball, that play for the striker ends right there, and that striker will have a problem with me.

But what about where there's no obvious control of the ball? Position plays into it as well. The Law says that players must be in control of their bodies and aware of their surroundings as well (this is the basis for fouling and cautioning a player for a Reckless Challenge - even if that challenge was technically correct). Goalkeepers have to observe that as well, but as a rule, get some leeway. Here's the situation from last night (You knew it would get to that, didn't you?) (more)

20 January '04 - 14:23 - theref - default| seven comments, already - § ¶

Some Quick Links of Interest

One thing I usually do as a referee is fix holes in the net, but several well-positioned referees at the USSF have been saying that we should make clear that it's not the referee's responsibility, but instead the responsibility of the home team. That may be the case, but guess who gets blamed if you miss a ball that goes through a hole? Blame aside, this team learned the hard was about fixing holes in nets.

This has been getting a lot of press overseas, where Paul Durkin admitted he was out of position and missed what would have been a crucial penalty kick call in the English Premiereship. Of course, most referees will admit to getting stuff wrong, even big calls - it's part of bein human; and I don't see anyone blaming Durkin for his positioning - by all accounts the call was going to go upfield, so he went upfield to get in optimal position for the incoming ball. Except that the ball was passed back to the goalkeeper, badly, and US Keeper Tim Howard ended up taking out the opposing striker who took advantage of the bad pass. Premiereship referees are the best in the world - there may be better individual refs, but none better as a group? Why? Unlike every other league in the world, they're professionals and paid like it. One question I have in my mind, not having seen the video, was could the AR have seen anything?

I like it! It's no more than a paragraph, but a referee in Surrey hands out the equivalent of three red cards after being harassed by players.... while driving. Ohhhhh. I like it. I wish I had done that three years ago.

Looking for another referee book? I don't know about you, but I usually am, and I think I found it: Masterclass for Soccer Officials: Learn how historic events have shaped today's game and how the role of officials has changed (Referee Books). Still have to finish the latest revision of the ATR first, though.

Something you'll never see in a US Newspaper: "On a final note, a draw was probably the fairest result and one must pay tribute to match referee Paddy Lucas. The man in the middle for this important contest had a superb game and added to the enjoyment of this encounter between two very committed sides."

A note of sanity in a crazy, crazy world:The only think I see wrong with this article is that there's no mention of the author, or s/he can take a bow or three. Based in Shreveport, the author rightly notes that there's a referee shortage, and while the cycle of violence continues, good referees won't be coming their way.

16 January '04 - 08:31 - theref - default| - § ¶

Best of 2003: I don't know a ref who likes this venue

The more I think about this piece, the more I think about "mind over matter". If you ref, like when you're carrying a full soup bowl, that you think you're going to have trouble, will you? Or are you merely carrying realistic expectations based on not only your own, but others experiences? This is also a great one on the differences of the indoor game versus outdoor; and when the indoor game is done at any old place, as long as people are willing to pay (more)

15 January '04 - 08:37 - theref - default| - § ¶

The Six Types of Problem Players

I'm going to have to look up the web site they're referencing (because they don't tell you what the %*$! it is - maybe because it's not in English), but in the meantime, take a look at this article, where it describes the six types of problem players, thanks to a bunch of Turkish Referees:

'Harsh' players: Lack of technical abilities. They have a strong physical structure. They often confuse the rival with the ball. In the US we call them "hacks" and they're being awfully polite - many times there's no confusion whatsoever.

'Softies': They fall in every position and always complain about being 'fouled'. They also point out when and to whom the referee should show a yellow card. I usually call them "whiners", but can't argue with the description.

'Talkers': They are divided into two groups amongst themselves as those who talk in every situation, and those who talk after being taken aside. Not sure how these differentiate from softies/whiners - maybe because they never shut up.

'Rebellious': They are wild-spirited, they get angry quickly and calm down less so. Their method is to evaluate the faults they are subject to without thinking about them too much. Don't forget about ignoring their own faults, too. :)

'Scrappers': They like to be at the front and defend everyone's rights. They easily turn every quarrel into a fight. Can't argue with that - except they seem to forget the rights of their opponents and the referee.

'Fakers': These are the most dangerous players for a referee. It is hard to understand when they fake and when they do not. Again, just to translate for those not used to "Euro-Speak", this would translate into "Divers" or "LA Galaxy strikers."

14 January '04 - 08:20 - theref - default| - § ¶

Just keep makin' up the rules, Monkey Boy

More "playoffs" - only a handfull of teams are playing for the coveted league chamption T-shirts, but everyone is in bracket play, to determine who they play the next couple weeks. Even if you're not in contention for the T-Shirts, it's a playoff of sorts, so intensity level is higher; the only downside is that my ability to run is lower, as I'm still recovering from that nasty cold last week. In the indoor game, it's not needed as much, as you're never more than 30 yards from play - and good positioning can insure that you're within 10 with a minimum of sprinting (I prefer to be more active, but reality dictates that my being lucid is more important).

The Hell team finally showed up! Missing-in-action for three games (although apparently the office knew about it, as there were issues during the holidays), they were back, and I was reffing them. Actually, this was by my own choice: there are two refs in this league, and dealing with refs you don't like is part of life; other teams deal with their demons, this team has to deal with me (besides, I gave them several weeks to cool down).

First half, they keep their happy hats on, and just play. They're playing a team that has some good players, but is having a very poor session - I don't know if they're missing key players this winter or what, but they've been a lot better in the past, but this winter, they've only won a single game. They're up 1-0 at half, and they're little going on. Second half, the problem players show up - literally, they weren't around in the first half, and things get heated again. First, a yellow card for dissent; "You think I'm going to let you go off again? I don't think so."

So now the whining and whinging begins in earnest: They can't shoulder charge me (says who?)! They can't obstruct me (they just passed the ball, and the attacker ran straight into the defender - that's not obstruction, that's you running into him.)! Wah wah wah!

Second yellow comes after the player I sent off last time takes a mighty whack at a defender who just took possession of the ball. No chance at ball, I was tempted to send him off again because it was totally unnecessary. Out comes the goalkeeper fourty yards to complain - he gets booked, too.

How the goalkeeper shows the effects of LSD usage: (more)

13 January '04 - 11:26 - theref - default| - § ¶

How to Complain About Referees

In many ways, I feel sorry for the soccer coordinator for the league/company I'm working with right now. I mean, I get crap every night (not necessarily every game - some teams actually know how to ask about something to me without foaming at the mouth or otherwise invoke what would cause any normal human (let alone a referee) a sudden thickening of the skin and deafening of the ears. This guys gets the real loonies and the real whiners who just don't know when to quit. I mean, let's look at last week's game where I had to make a judgment call that probably could have gone either way. Their argument to the coordinator can only be boiled down to, "The call didn't go the way I wanted. Waaaaaaaaaah!!". OK, so the insipid whimpering was strictly unnecessary, but I think it adequately boils down their emotional state.

You can complain about referees, and not just grumbling, but actually complaining to the authorities (be it the managers/owners in the case of unaffiliated leagues; assignors, referee organizations, tournament authorities and above for the case of games where the refs wear badges (BTW - if it's an unaffiliated game, the refs should not be wearing a USSF, NISOA, or other badge, unless it's generic). The trick is to know what to complain about, and how to do it. So, for those of you who want to do this (and I imagine it's a lot), I present my Small Guide to Effectively Complain About Referees (more)

12 January '04 - 10:22 - theref - default| three comments, already - § ¶

Best of 2003: Why are fans so lazy?

This was sort of a missive to coaches - almost a bone thrown to say, "I understand." Well, no. Not exactly that - there's a lot about coaches I don't understand, and frankly don't like. But they are under a ton of pressure - for all the crap refs get during the game, coaches get it all the time from their own fans, even at the U8 level. And we wonder why coaches sometimes go bezerk over a throw-in call (more)

11 January '04 - 14:12 - theref - default| - § ¶

The Problem With Slide Tackles and Goalkeepers

I'm still sick, but definately on the upswing. I also have four other "Best Of"s to post from last year which I'll throw in periodically.



Unlike regular leagues, where you're assigned specific games, here we get shifts. And since this one league is only Monday nights, teams pretty much know that they're either going to get myself, or the other guy every game (I think between the two of us there has been one sub ref). Like just about everything, this has good points and bad points. We know the teams, the players, the problems - and they know us; assuming the refs are neutral, that leaves the players', whose knowledge can be used for good and for evil. Most of the time it's good; they understand us well enough that if we have a "bad game" (or at least don't like what we're calling), they understand that we're human beings and may see stuff differently.



One team and I joke about them always having some sort of odd call or situation that causes the game I ref with them to go into flux. Last year, that those sitautions bugged them; this summer, I played with several of them, so this winter they're much more understanding. :) BTW - if this was USSF play, I would recuse myself immediately from the game; if there were no other refs around, take the junior AR position - not because I feel I would be biased, but because it avoids the appearance of bias. But these leagues are there for profit, and while I laud them greatly for supporting their referees (or at least supporting me), they really don't care about conflicts of interest - maybe that's not the correct word. There's little they can do about it, but I also know it doesn't bother them (from when I subbed in to ref there during the summer noting a conflict).



"I play with this team." "Do you play with them here?" "No." "Then no problem." (OK, it was fun getting to yell at a teammate who usually does the yelling)



"My girlfriend was just picked up as a sub for this team." "No problem."



The league, as does many unaffiliated recreation leages, has a problem that's never really been addressed, and that's what to do about goalkeepers and slide tackle rules. Most rec leages prohibit slide tackles - which is well and good, considering the wide range of skill levels involved - but they almost all allow the goalkeeper a wide fudge factor, due to the fact that goalkeepers have brain damage and probably wouldn't understand that rule anyway, let alone think about it during a one-on-one situation (more)

09 January '04 - 12:19 - theref - default| Only one comment - § ¶

Not dead - just feel like it

I reffed like normal on Monday night, got home, took a shower, etc. But when I went to bed... you know that feeling you get when you're in bed and sick. I knew.

And so I have been. Still am (although enough to move around a bit now). I'll add something about Monday later, once I can think enough.

08 January '04 - 10:35 - theref - default| - § ¶

Of course I'm crazy, look what I put up with!

Filled in for a friend yesterday; same one I filled in for before - once a month he has to work on the weekend. I have to more than once a month, but I have a lot more flexibility on when (2am? No problem!).

Normally I defer the competitive teams to the referees who've been working there for a while, but the other guy was having a tough time out there on a "B" team and he deferred the competitive-level games to me (so did the coordiantor).

No real problems out there - the holiday season seems to have taken the edge off people's tempers a bit. The third game had potential to get ugly. We had some jawing between players late in the first half, and for the first 15 of the second. I stopped the game and said, "Look guys, do you really want me to start passing out cards for something a stupid as you mouthing off?" Worked for a bit. Later, maybe five minutes left in the game a player disagrees with my call (that I'm 100% sure of), with a "You're crazy, ref." As I set up for the corner kick (getting a heckuva lot closer than I normally would - but there had been some shoving between two guys, including the one who commented, for position earlier - and if I had to blow the whistle, I wanted no doubt that I was looking directly at those two), I replied, "Of course I'm crazy, look what I put up with for my job!"

Seemed to work - no problems for the rest of the game, and while the intensity of the game didn't lighten up, the realization that he was acting a bit silly did. Wish they could all work like that.

05 January '04 - 13:40 - theref - default| - § ¶

Best of 2003: The Ref Vents Upon Other Refs

Nobody denies that refs have a tough job, and that sometimes it's due to the nature of the game, sometimes due to problem players, and sometimes it's due to the referee digging himself into a hole. But sometimes it also comes from low expectations - referees who make us all look bad not because they made honest mistakes, but because they simply don't give a damn. I never expect perfection, I don't expect people to be as charged up about reffing as I, but a little effort is nice. So here's my rant against bad referees, with a twist: instead of the usual the ref is a clown/freak/asshole/twit/cost us the game/brain dead - I decided to instead include substance (more)

03 January '04 - 12:23 - theref - default| - § ¶