PDA

View Full Version : It's good to be prepared....


intechpc
26 May 2009, 01:33 PM
OK so working at State Cup this weekend, had four games on Sunday all with the same 4 man crew (each of us shuffling through all positions). First match of the day is a U15B match-up and I'm working as AR1. As I do every time I take the field (and I've been told I'm anal for doing this) I put my whistles and cards in my pockets as a backup for the referee.

Ten minutes into the match, the ball goes out of play on the far side of the field and I hear the CR blow the whistle. :confused: I look for him to make eye contact to find out why the whistle and at first can't find him on the field. I then see him hobbling slowly to the point of the restart from the other half of the field limping terribly. AR2 is now coming onto the field and checking on him. So I mark the time on my watch which was running as a backup for the CR as well.

Long story short, the CR had collided with a player and now has a high ankle sprain and cannot continue. As they're escorting him off the field, the fourth is already coming over to me and has his hand out. I hand him my flag, check to make sure the trainers have the injured referee off the field and quickly trot over to AR2 and tell him we'll continue under the details we discussed in our injured referee's pre-game. Quickly thanked the players for their patience, told them the restart would be the throw-in for white and after checking with my AR's that they were ready, restarted the match with my whistle, noting the time again. Less than 2 minutes of stoppage!!

I was pretty impressed by how our crew handled this situation. The 4th and I were on the same page right away and it was pretty much automatic. I had everything I needed to take over as CR and didn't have to go digging in my bag for anything, I even knew exactly how long the stoppage of play was and was able to add that at the end of the half. We got the injured referee off the field and in the capable hands of the trainer and the game restarted with a very minimal interruption. How's that for anal-retentive preparedness?

Rufusabc
26 May 2009, 01:41 PM
Yep...great job. I'm with you on this. Always have everything on me (including two watches, two whistles, two yellows and two reds, coin)....you never know.

gosellit
27 May 2009, 12:03 AM
OK so working at State Cup this weekend, had four games on Sunday all with the same 4 man crew (each of us shuffling through all positions). First match of the day is a U15B match-up and I'm working as AR1. As I do every time I take the field (and I've been told I'm anal for doing this) I put my whistles and cards in my pockets as a backup for the referee.

Ten minutes into the match, the ball goes out of play on the far side of the field and I hear the CR blow the whistle. :confused: I look for him to make eye contact to find out why the whistle and at first can't find him on the field. I then see him hobbling slowly to the point of the restart from the other half of the field limping terribly. AR2 is now coming onto the field and checking on him. So I mark the time on my watch which was running as a backup for the CR as well.

Long story short, the CR had collided with a player and now has a high ankle sprain and cannot continue. As they're escorting him off the field, the fourth is already coming over to me and has his hand out. I hand him my flag, check to make sure the trainers have the injured referee off the field and quickly trot over to AR2 and tell him we'll continue under the details we discussed in our injured referee's pre-game. Quickly thanked the players for their patience, told them the restart would be the throw-in for white and after checking with my AR's that they were ready, restarted the match with my whistle, noting the time again. Less than 2 minutes of stoppage!!

I was pretty impressed by how our crew handled this situation. The 4th and I were on the same page right away and it was pretty much automatic. I had everything I needed to take over as CR and didn't have to go digging in my bag for anything, I even knew exactly how long the stoppage of play was and was able to add that at the end of the half. We got the injured referee off the field and in the capable hands of the trainer and the game restarted with a very minimal interruption. How's that for anal-retentive preparedness?

Had a similar situation way too many years ago at Regionals. Assessor was very impressed.

NHRef
27 May 2009, 04:33 PM
I stopped carrying my whistles because they rattled when I ran the line. Earlier this year I had a CR go down while I was AR1, he was down and lost his whistle, players didn't notice, hmmm, how exactly should I stop this game now????? Now I carry a single whistle in my pocket, no noise!

Rufusabc
27 May 2009, 05:43 PM
I now carry a ring whistle that doesnt rattle.
That's my backup.

The rattling does drive me nuts. Also, I have taken to carying my blackberry in my top pocket on mute...in case I need to call 911

billf
27 May 2009, 05:44 PM
That happened when I was AR1 at regions in Rhode Island a while back. I always had cards and whistles with me on the line as well. Its always a good practice, even if it only happened once out of a couple thousand games.