My own playing paradox
There's a long held school of thought that referees who play are better referees that don't; the idea behind it is that they understand the game better, the tactics, the pitches, and can empathize with the players better. There's also a long-held rule that you don't referee in leagues you can play in.
Here's my problem: I'm not a good player, and I don't play on good teams. Tactically, I get more from watching local professional games (MLS on TV doesn't cut it - you miss a whole lot of what goes on off the ball); they're usually far better than the "get it to our best player and run" scenario I'm used to when I play. During the summer I'm reffing all sorts of games, and I had to make a choice between reffing a third less games if I was to play on a regular basis - I choose to ref rather than play because I'm far better at it, but I still want to play. So I wait until the fall and play on a city league in the suburbs that has some of the best fields that cruddly little players like me can get on (even when itincludes the gravel from the baseball fields our pitch overlaps). But now a new problem has occurred. Due to a late signup, we've moved up two divisions, and now I'm playing against players I reffed this summer. During the game, as I ran out and dove for a loose ball (I'm the goalkeeper), the striker for the other team made a remark about my reffing and how he wanted to kick me in the balls right then. I had no previous interaction with him during the game; he wasn't even near me - this was something he was sitting on as soon as he recognized me for who and what I am.
The fact that I'm recognizable is a problem; I decided to grow my hair back out, and although there are other referees with pony tails, mine's not long enough to pull back, so I end up wearing hair control devices across my forehead - which makes me more-or-less unique when it comes to refs around here. This is a problem - because as a referee I have to, and I certainly try to, remain true to myself and make the correct calls, no matter how much it's going to piss someone off. But because of circumnstance, I'm forced to play with the same people I referee, even if it's not an affiliated league and technically OK (like city leagues care). What this situation makes apparent that without the badge I'm open to cheap shots.
My last game in that league was three weeks ago, when I sent a player off for a late, high, and hard tackle; when I saw the game in front of us, I recognized at least half-a-dozen players from that same league - I didn't recognize that guy, so who knows how many more I've dealt with with the whistle, and may have a vendetta.
There doesn't seem to be a good and safe, alternative. It may mean I don't get to play at any time of year and choose to only be a referee.
You don’t know me, but I stumbled onto this blog. I have been in your situation where I reffed an outdoor team. Red carded a couple players and they decided to make a target out of me in indoor soccer as retribution. Needless to say, I stopped playing
Giancarlo () (URL) - 10 September '06 - 23:10