Reasons why ARing sucks

Discussion in 'Referee' started by Errol V, Oct 2, 2013.

  1. Errol V

    Errol V Member+

    Mar 30, 2011
    • Always wishing I was interacting more with the players
    • Don't like not being able to get closer to play
    • Not enough exercise during crappy games
    • Can't stand having to watch the Referee automatically making all free kicks ceremonial
    • Can't stand the Referee not making eye contact with me at every stoppage
    • Can't stand the Referee not conducting a pregame
    • Can't stand the Referee lecturing players during check-in
    • Having to stay focused on offside is a drag
    What did I miss?
     
  2. SA14mars

    SA14mars Member+

    Jan 3, 2005
    Dallas
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I enjoy being an AR. And it builds great skills. Such as how to overcome each of the issues you identified. For example:

    Interacting with players when appropriate. An AR that knows how to do this can be invaluable to a center.

    Watching the center's back for what happens away from play.

    Assisting the referee where appropriate but not insisting.

    Etc.


    Not trying to be an a$$ but being an AR is a necessary and valuable skill. But it is what you make of it.
     
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  3. sjquakes08

    sjquakes08 Member+

    Jun 16, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, being an AR in a crappy game with a crappy center ref sucks.

    I'd counter, though, that being a CR in a crappy game with crappy AR's also sucks.
     
  4. NW Referee

    NW Referee Member

    Jun 25, 2008
    Washington
    So who peed in your cornflakes? ;)

    Hey, if you don't want to be an AR, don't do it. Sounds like you have worked with some Referees that need some work since most of your complaints are about what the Referee is or isn't doing.
     
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  5. RedStar91

    RedStar91 Member+

    Sep 7, 2011
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Making less money...
     
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  6. Bubba Atlanta

    Bubba Atlanta Member+

    Mar 2, 2012
    Yep, Atlanta
    Club:
    Atlanta United FC
    All true.

    Also all true.

    Honestly, it's only in the last year or so that I've actually started to enjoy AR'ing. And I think it's also only in the last year or so that I've started to get halfway decent at it. For years I mostly did centers and duals - I don't think I did enough AR's to get into the finer points of it.

    I'm a long way from achieving the zen of AR'ing though - I'd still rather be one of a dual than run a line. :oops:
     
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  7. JimEWrld

    JimEWrld Member

    Jun 20, 2012
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    While I don't necessarily always enjoy being an AR (there are some bad games out there), I feel that is where I learn a lot of what NOT to do in the middle. Being an AR on higher level games gives you an insight into what works and what doesn't. I have walked away from many a game with lessons of how to get myself into a tough situation (by the way the referee said or did something) and how to get out. Yes I enjoy having the whistle, but I feel I almost learn more with the flag. On the appropriate games of course.
     
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  8. hojalimpia

    hojalimpia Red Card

    Oct 2, 2013
    Being a CR with crappy AR's in any game sucks. Especially if you try to fix it at halftime.

    What sucks about being an AR is the side-to-side movement. Can't build endurance for that on a treadmill. Knees ache after a good AR'ing session.
     
  9. Bubba Atlanta

    Bubba Atlanta Member+

    Mar 2, 2012
    Yep, Atlanta
    Club:
    Atlanta United FC
    Groin muscles ... :barefoot:
     
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  10. hojalimpia

    hojalimpia Red Card

    Oct 2, 2013
    The other thing I like when I AR, and certainly this will be shunned here, is finding those one or two fans/parents that you can have low volume conversations with during the match. Usually a knowledgeable parent who can't take sitting with the rest of the parents and chooses to sit further down the line away from everyone.
     
    Dave Anderson repped this.
  11. asdf44

    asdf44 Member

    Jun 19, 2008
    Richmond VA
    Happened last night.

    Can't stand the center asking if the other team wants to sub a player if a team has a player down hurt. If they wanted to sub, they would be at the halfway line.
     
  12. socal lurker

    socal lurker Member+

    May 30, 2009
    And being an AR on a great game with a great R is a hecuva lot of fun.

    Like any team endeavor, the quality of the experience is closely related to the quality of your teammates.
     
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  13. soccerman771

    soccerman771 Member

    Jul 16, 2011
    Dallas, Texas area
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They are supposed to anticipate the injury???

    To the topic: I think ARing has good and bad points.

    It takes a LOT of concentration to be in line with 2ld.

    Many times in your quadrant you have to 'focus' on more than 2 things at a time: Where is 2ld? Who had last touch on a quick deflection? Is there any flow to the attack? Who grabbed who first in the scruff? Is the defense pulling up? Was he off when the ball was played? etc, etc.

    The side-step over long periods of time may be the worst thing about it. Other than having to deal with parents and/or coaches that are trying to game you: "that's our throw", "it went off him/her", etc.

    The best part of being an AR is the ability to learn. Strategy, techniques, flow, helping with PI, foul recognition, going through scenarios, what would you have called, etc.

    As to the good center/bad center, hey sometimes they have to deal with me being their AR.. :D
     
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  14. hojalimpia

    hojalimpia Red Card

    Oct 2, 2013
    Not to sound goofy, but to watch someone who is a step or two higher than you run a good match is like watching a conductor lead an orchestra.
     
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  15. ArdaBey

    ArdaBey Member

    Oct 21, 2009
    Chicago - Lakeview
    Nat'l Team:
    Turkey
    Really like this point from Socal Lurker. Working with incompetent people in any walk of life is not pleasant...

    I enjoy being an AR in competitive games, many of the reasons are already brought up here. Couple weeks ago, worked as AR1 at a high level u18 game, where the game was being assessed by a former MLS referee. Had a few really critical/close OS call/non-calls that I had to make, and received good feedback from the assessor on a non-call that ended up being a goal. Assessment was a fail unfortunately at the end, due to a game critical call as to whether a foul call was in or out of the area at 90 + 3 on the other side of the field. Walked away from that game with many mental notes as to what to do and what not to do as a center.

    That being said, I stopped taking AR assignments on non-competitive leagues (regardless of age), as I believe those games are not a good use of my time, and do not add value to my careers as a referee. Additionally, probability of getting *bad* centers goes down significantly as the competitiveness and age level of the games increase...
     
  16. soccerman771

    soccerman771 Member

    Jul 16, 2011
    Dallas, Texas area
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's your games to do as you see fit, but those kids playing deserve competent and good referees as well. You shouldn't be above working any game regardless if it helps you or not as a referee.
     
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  17. lemma

    lemma Member

    Jul 19, 2011
    Your position is determined by the location of players and the ball, so you can't move away from irritating behavior from team officials and substitutes.
     
  18. Wahoos1

    Wahoos1 Member

    Oct 31, 2004
    Last sunday, game 6 in 30 hours. AR2. Ball kicked off and goalie instantly yells... "UP! UP! UP!!"

    groan...
     
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  19. ArdaBey

    ArdaBey Member

    Oct 21, 2009
    Chicago - Lakeview
    Nat'l Team:
    Turkey
    I see club AR positions for recreational leagues as a good development opportunity for young up and coming referees to get more experience. In terms of giving back to the game, I prefer taking smaller age recreational league games as CR (I have 2 u9 games coming up this sunday), or giving free mini informal AR trainings to players of clubs that are in my area.

    We all have different utility functions in life and satisfaction levels in things we do. It's not because I see myself above and beyond those types of assignments(I am a fresh grade 7, and don't see myself going beyond a grade 6 anyway, so I'm not very cocky) , it's simply because I'm not enjoying myself during those games on the side. I also have limited reffing time due to having a full time job, a beautiful girlfriend, and playing other sports myself, therefore I try to make the most of it by trying to take more challenging games when I can...
     
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  20. ArdaBey

    ArdaBey Member

    Oct 21, 2009
    Chicago - Lakeview
    Nat'l Team:
    Turkey
    2 additional notes...

    I tried to get the club administrators in my area to increase their AR fees (some were and are still are paying $20 per AR for a 90 min u17-18 game), by giving them comparative numbers from other clubs/leagues, and arguing that to get better ARs they will need to make it more appealing. They kept their pay structure the same, and are still not getting enough ARs to show up for their games.

    One of my assignors, that I assumed was assigning only centers, assigned me to a u11 rec girls game as an AR earlier in the season. After that game, contacted him, and asked to be given only CR assignments going forward for reasons I mentioned above. His reply was every referee on his list should be filling every age level/referee position. I did not pursue the issue further over emails, but his approach simply rubbed me the wrong way. Will not be asking for any further games from this particular assignor going forward other than the ones I already committed to.
     
  21. tomek75

    tomek75 Member+

    Aug 13, 2012
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I actually enjoy the U little games once in a while. I have 6 coming up in 2 weeks. I am assigned MLMLML. In those situations I always ask the inexperienced AR's if they want to take the middle. That way I can give back to the game and mentor a young referee. Unlike Chicago where there are more that enough assignors, in my area I have 3 or 4 choices when it comes to assignors and only one when it comes to higher level games. Even though I have good relationship with all of them, no referee can afford to rub an assignor the wrong way.
     
  22. Lucky Wilbury

    Lucky Wilbury Member

    Mar 19, 2012
    United States
    This is the best thread ever. You're just saying what we're all thinking.

    You missed important stuff like:
    • Being relegated to "name checker" instead of "name reader" at team check-in
    • Having to keep the flag from getting caught on the shaft for like 70, 80, or 90 minutes
    • Overcoming the stigma of being the lowest-ranked person on the crew if you're AR2
    • Having to turn around and correct the fans that still call us "linesman"
    • Making sure the corner flag is still 5' each time the ball goes out of bounds by making sure it still comes to our chin
    • Holding my flag up endlessly until the stupid referee sees that I called Foul/Out of Bounds/Substitution/Lightning/Earthquake/Offside/Dog on the field/Corner Flag Too Short forever ago
    However, there is some cool stuff that I like as well:
    • Using the flag to shield me from the rain or sun. Kind of like a permanent sub signal. Do that with your whistle...
    • Looking at where I ran in my game via my gps watch. Those straight lines are bad ass.
    • Asking the field marshall to turn up his radio so I can hear the gossip from the other fields when I get near the corner
    • Asking the parents for an update on the College football scores (or even the coach, if he's cool about it)
    • At halftime, being closer to the building or the woods than the referee when you've poorly timed a piddle
    • Soccer moms surely like a man in uniform, and I'm now the closest one to them...
    At the end of the day, though, you're right. People here have been giving you some grief, but the referee clearly always gets:
    • Power
    • Authority
    • Glamour
    • Money
    • Ego Boost
    • Fame
    • Women
    Who wouldn't want all that?
     
  23. Bubba Atlanta

    Bubba Atlanta Member+

    Mar 2, 2012
    Yep, Atlanta
    Club:
    Atlanta United FC
    You left out:
    • Admiring the cool/funny/weird shadows I make when the sun is low behind me.
     
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  24. Dayton Ref

    Dayton Ref Member+

    May 3, 2012
    Houston, TX
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    I'm in the same boat only tighter. I have a local assignor for everything below Oklahoma Premier League and the OPL West assignor for OPL and Southern Regional League games. Yeah, I don't want that U14 Rec line, or even the center (especially when it comes through less than 24 hours before the game), but my assignor is well respected (reffed Regional's twice) and he recommended me for the OPL games so I do whatever he gives me. Heck, last season he only gave me 4 youth games (tournament) because he knew that U14 wasn't worth my time and effort so I know if he is asking, it is because he needs the help.
     
  25. Errol V

    Errol V Member+

    Mar 30, 2011
    Lucky, thanks to you I now see that the cause of my angst is that I've been AR1 on all my recent AR gigs. Schmoozing with the parents is where I love to be. It all starts when you ask about the football scores, and they realize you are human. Before you know it, you're making new friends. And yes, the talent on that side of the field can be excellent.
     
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