Massachusetts Refs in the News (R)

[gorilla]

Sounds like Erich Simmons had a rough one in his first outing in an MLS regular season game. I'm glad he has made it so far:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=296545&cc=5901

[Caesar]

"Nobody threw punches, it was just us holding onto each other. We just held each other, trying to get to know each other better."

LAUGH OUT LOUD. "Get to know each other better"?!?

[MassachusettsRef]

Sounds like Erich Simmons had a rough one in his first outing in an MLS regular season game. [/url]Erich has been an MLS CR for 3 years. Admittedly, he only did one match last year, but he did several the year before. He's also served as a 4th official many times the past few years, and actually served as a 4th way back at the inception of MLS, when they were still using Grade 5's.

[IASocFan]

I was at the game, and was surprised by the two red cards. I saw no violent conduct, but there was significant wrestling for the ball. I usually shout the color on throw-ins so there is no question who gets the ball. The ball bounced off both Klein and Brown before going out of touch.

I was also surprised at the two yellows received by the Wizards. On both occasions, the Wizard defender slid into the ball with the Fire player getting to the spot later and tripping over the Wizard. I wasn't sure either was a foul, much less a yellow.

[MidwestRef]

I was at the game, and was surprised by the two red cards. I saw no violent conduct, but there was significant wrestling for the ball. I usually shout the color on throw-ins so there is no question who gets the ball. The ball bounced off both Klein and Brown before going out of touch.


Do you call the color only when the outcome of the throw-in is in doubt? I used to call the color on every throw-in, but I was advised not to do this from an assessor watching my game. He indicated that I would only need to call the color if there was any doubt.

This is simply to get your thoughts on the matter and is certainly not meant as criticism.

[stillgreyhound]

So NOW I am to understand that it is okay to wrestle around the pitch as long as you dont throw a punch??? I am glad he sent them off for acting like punks. They are supposed to be professional players and should act like it. If I want to watch a bunch of spoiled brats act like thugs I'll watch the NHL.

[IASocFan]

Do you call the color only when the outcome of the throw-in is in doubt? I used to call the color on every throw-in, but I was advised not to do this from an assessor watching my game. He indicated that I would only need to call the color if there was any doubt.
...

Good point. I usually don't do much more than required. I call color if there is a doubt that the ball is out or which team has possession. I also try to stay close to play so that I don't need a speaker or megaphone to be heard. :)

[stillgreyhound]

Good point. I usually don't do much more than required. I call color if there is a doubt that the ball is out or which team has possession. I also try to stay close to play so that I don't need a speaker or megaphone to be heard. :)I have had more then one assessor tell me NOT to ever vebalize direction when a simple point of the arm will do. It looks unprofessional when you point one way and verbalize the other. I dont use my voice for this very basic tasks and the players should get used to looking which way the reff is pointing because that is all they will get from the higher level reffs.

[GKbenji]

I have had more then one assessor tell me NOT to ever vebalize direction when a simple point of the arm will do. It looks unprofessional when you point one way and verbalize the other. I dont use my voice for this very basic tasks and the players should get used to looking which way the reff is pointing because that is all they will get from the higher level reffs.

I usually just point, but there are a couple of occasions where I do verbalize:

1. When there is contention over the throw, or the wrong team is about to take the throw, and nobody is looking at me. A quick shout of, "Blue throw!" can help keep things running smoothly.

2. When I am overcome by "referee dyslexia" and forget for a second which direction the team is going. :) Rather than confuse things by signalling a wrong direction, I'll leave my arm down and indicate verbally. This is only needed if, as mentioned, there is some question as to who should get the throw.

[Statesman]

I never verablize my calls unless the players specifically ask (non-dissenting manner of course). If there is a question about a throw-in you have to sell your decision, and simply verbalizing doesn't help do that. It might work for youth but not at any other level. It's better to hold your signal up and give the whistle a couple of "look over here" tweets to get the attention of the confused players. If they are starting to wrestle you have to get on the whistle and become a presence immediately.

If you find yourself forgetting which way the teams are going then that is an area of your game you have to work on. When working with developing referees, too often I find they can pinpoint something they have difficulty with only to not take steps to improve. It'd be worthwhile to sit down and brainstorm some techniques you can try to keep the teams straight 100% of the time. Ask your assistant referee to give silent signals on every ball into touch (point of a finger against the chest, slight motion of the flag in the hand of the direction, etc). That way if you are in doubt you can glance back and get a second opinion without drawing any attention to yourself or the AR, you get the call right, and you still maintain your image.

[gorilla]

Erich has been an MLS CR for 3 years. Admittedly, he only did one match last year, but he did several the year before. He's also served as a 4th official many times the past few years, and actually served as a 4th way back at the inception of MLS, when they were still using Grade 5's.

oops. :confused: nice to see him succeed anyway...