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Updated Reading of the LOTG - § ¶

I've updated the audio-recording of the Laws of the Game. It's still not a professional recording, there's still bound to be little mistakes (and maybe even big ones - did I mention it's not a professional recording?). If you're like me, and spend a lot of the time in the car (or someplace else where reading isn't practical, but listening is), maybe this will help you.

No update to the ATR yet - the last couple years has seen the USSF tighten up on it's copyright; and although I can't see this as a threat to them, I haven't decided if the greater good is worth more than the possible financial hit.

You can download the updated reading here (44.5 MB).

17 Mar '08 - 20:06 | No comments yet

The New USSF Sock: This End Up - § ¶

OSI is gradually pushing out the pieces of the new uniform, and recently I obtained the final piece of the revamp - the socks. I try to be very honest about the good and the bad about OSI (see this article for a review of the new jerseys), but I've always loved the fit of their socks; and with the revamp of the new socks, the fit of the stockings haven't changed, but the styling has.

Let's be perfectly clear: 90% or more of referees in this country do not need these socks. (more)

11 Feb '08 - 21:15 | six comments, already

Refblog.com OS X Dashboard Widget - § ¶

OK, so I'm a geek: aside from the owner, I'm the only one in the company I work for that doesn't have kids, so I'm stucking working all week (except for Tuesday), so instead of going elsewhere to visit family, I'm here playing around with utilities in the latest version of OS X, in this case, DashCode.

So, with little fanfare, I submit a Dashboard Widget for you Mac users that brings up this humble little blog. I have no graphical abilities, so I won't claim it's pretty, but it does work, using this existing RSS feed. You can download it here (more)

22 Dec '07 - 20:41 | No comments yet

First Look: The 2008 OSI/USSF Uniform - § ¶

Note: When you click the (more) link to view the entire article, you'll want to increase, if not maximize, the screen to see both the text and pictures.

I won't kid you about buying the jerseys so I can review them on the site - no, I bought them because I want to do Regionals again, I want to do semi-pro games again - I want to do good games. Before the first time I went to Regionals (and what a neat thing it is to say that), I was told by one of the assessors who was going with us, the equivalent of, "Good, you have Official Sports jerseys - that's what you're supposed to have"; he then went on to say that since Regionals is a USSF sponsored tournament, and OSI is a USSF sponsor, you should wear OSI gear.

I'm sure OSI loves to hear that, because even with holiday "specials" going on, you're going to shell out over $500 if you decide to refit your entire wardrobe (more)

14 Dec '07 - 16:28 | twelve comments, already

Regionals Diary 2007 - § ¶

I was privileged enough to be invited back to participate in the US Youth Soccer regional tournament; all those who won their respective State Cups, or got in from winning the Regional League come here to fight for a berth to the national championship. It's tremendous soccer, and plenty of the joy of victory and the agony of defeat for referees as well (more)

10 Nov '07 - 01:25 | three comments, already

10 Best of 2006, The List - § ¶

Below are my totally subjective list of the best entries I wrote in 2006. I've also tossed in, just in case you want to want to see how things have changed, added the "Best Of" lists for 2005, 2004, and 2003 . (more)

01:17 | No comments yet

Review of the Timex O.V.A. (Optimum Viewing Angle) Watch - § ¶

Reffing, like soccer itself, is pretty simple in its requirements: you need to be there, know the Laws of the Game, and have the instruments to enforce it. The bare essentials of the later requirement are a whistle (to get people’s attention), cards (to administer misconduct, and in some places that can be flexible), a place to write down important facts about the game (including the score), and a watch (to keep track of the amount of time in the game).

I’m pretty picky about watches, although my requirements are few: (more)

20 Apr '07 - 17:57 | five comments, already

How to Become a Better Referee - § ¶

As I was editing How to Become a Referee, several things came to mind on things that you can do to become a better referee. This is my all means not an exhaustive list, but something I've pick up over the years, after I decided that I wanted to keep blowing the whistle, and that I wanted to become better at it. Feel free to add suggestions. (more)

15 Mar '07 - 22:23 | two comments, already

How to Become a Referee - § ¶

Becoming a referee is not a terribly difficult process - but let's be totally honest here - staying one is. Not having a ton of experience, I can't help a whole lot with the later, but here's a quick summary of what to do for the former (OK, and a little of what I've learned - take with salt). (more)

28 Jan '07 - 20:41 | two comments, already

USA Cup Diary 2006 - § ¶

Even with some flaws this year, it's still the best run, and one of the most memorable, if not the most optimistic, tournaments in the nation. As usual, the good, the bad, and the ugly - with the ugly being more spread out this year, but not quite as intense as last (more)

27 Sep '06 - 11:18 | four comments, already

10 Best of 2005, The List - § ¶

Below are my totally subjective list of the best entries I wrote in 2005. I've also tossed in, just in case you want to want to see how things have changed, added the "Best Of" lists for 2004 and 2003 (more)

21 Feb '06 - 17:54 | No comments yet

List of Products Reviewed - § ¶

There have been three formal reviews of products on this site. Here they are, in order:

Review of Masterclass for Soccer Officials

Review of the RefsCall Electronic Flag Set

Product review of the new USSF Shorts

18 Feb '06 - 10:06 | No comments yet