Second Yellow Help

[GreatZar]

OK, I screwed up (won't be the last time). At the 67', I gave a C1 to white #9 (but when I wrote it in my book, it kinda looked like a 4). At the 86' mark, two guys took down the attacker break on net just outside the 18 (professional foul -- C1 again to white). But the opponents wanted a quick kick, so I made a mental note of player number, time, and C1. After the kick sailed over for a goal kick, I wrote the infraction in my book (and thought the prior C1 was for #4). End of men's match, and we (myself and my AR crew -- a G6 and G8) see there's no #4 white. Based on my writing style, the only possible alternative was #9 white was given two C1s but no red. Man do I suck.

Anyway, since there are some very experienced refs here (and this is the first time I've EVER given two yellows to the same player in a match in 10+ years -- 1st year doing adults, however), what strategic advice can you offer on the best way to manage cards in a match? I don't write on the yellow card itself, but I've seen others do this with special cards. I've also seen refs who write on their hand (can't imagine this is very good if you sweat like I do in a solid adult match or boys club U17+ elite). What do you do?

[HoldenMan]

The only advice I can offer you is to take your time when writing in your book and write neater!

Personally I simply use a notebook and use that to record all infractions, goals, etc.

the only other suggestion is to have columns, or design a printable one tha fits intot he black sleeves, with numbers, say, 1-17 for each team, and 2 columns next to each number - so you can mark in each column, so you can't make this mistake again. (as well as having the relevant spaces for goals scored, and so forth. This system will face problems if the teams use numbers other than 1-17 or so).

Don't worry, I've had this same problem a number of times!

Did you have neutral ARs?

[Ref Flunkie]

Honestly, if I was handing out a caution, I would not let the attacking team do a quick restart. Then again I've never run into a situation where a "professional foul" was taken and where they would actually have an advantage doing a quick restart. Again initial thought would be not to let them do a quick restart, but I'll have to think about it a bit more.

[bungadiri]

I'm not a referee, but something like this suggestion:
the only other suggestion is to have columns, or design a printable one tha fits intot he black sleeves, with numbers, say, 1-17 for each team, and 2 columns next to each number - so you can mark in each column, so you can't make this mistake again. (as well as having the relevant spaces for goals scored, and so forth. This system will face problems if the teams use numbers other than 1-17 or so)
came to mind immediately after reading the thread starter. My job frequently requires me to do observational research in a field setting, in which I'm looking for specific behaviors/events. Since my handwriting is bad and since I'm also taking descriptive notes, I set up a table with labeled columns that will allow me to note the occurence of those specific events by time, with space for quick notes as well. It's made things much easier than trying to jot down everything on the fly.

[BentwoodBlue]

OK, I screwed up (won't be the last time). At the 67', I gave a C1 to white #9 (but when I wrote it in my book, it kinda looked like a 4). At the 86' mark, two guys took down the attacker break on net just outside the 18 (professional foul -- C1 again to white). But the opponents wanted a quick kick, so I made a mental note of player number, time, and C1.


This is the way I understand it. When a caution needs to be given, it must be given before the next restart. If you don't (or forget. I have done this before) then you can't go back and give it. I would suggest to you to make it a habit to give the caution then and there. Attacking team doesnt like it, tough I say. My interpretation is taken from when you need to give a caution but it is a situation where advantage applies.

As far as the writing numbers down wrong.... Where's the love from your ARs? I have done that exact thing once and thankfully an AR pointed out my mistake. Other than that.. Oh well mistakes happen. :) Learn from it and be thankful it wasnt an assesment.

[Statesman]

Although jotting down the correct numbers certainly is a necessity, there's a bigger piece of the puzzle I am more worried about in your instance. You gave a second caution to a player without realizing it was a second caution.

USSF just published a memo reminding referees the second caution is equivalent to the seriousness of the other sending-off offenses, and thus should not be taken lightly. What might earn a player his initial caution may not earn him the second one. Verbal admonishments can go a very long way to managing a cautioned player unless they are hellbent on being sent off.

As such, it is much more important to simply know who you have cautioned and to keep track of their behavior from that point on. Whether you write the player's number down correctly or not no longer becomes an issue as you should recognize him or her anyway. To go into a situation with the caution unaware of a prior caution is just asking for trouble. You have to ask yourself whether you still would have booked the player again had you known he was already booked.

So, my advice would be to slow down when giving a caution. The bane of refereeing in the US these days seems to be the rush to get the game restarted. It is certainly true a flowing game is a better game, but sometimes things need to come to a grinding halt to keep everything under control and do things properly. Look the player in the eyes and tell him what he is being cautioned for while writing down his name and number before showing the card. Become familiar with his face and what position he plays, and remember what exactly he did and for what reason if you can. If you slow things down and take a moment to really study the person you are cautioning, it becomes much easier to track what that player is doing until the end of the game.

[Englishref]

In England, we're taught a very simple approach, that we get marked down on, when we don't apply it, when it comes to cautioning. (Although our senior colleagues set a bad example by not doing this).

1) Call the player over
2) Inform the player that he is being cautioned and why he is being cautioned
3) Ask for his name
4) Warn him about his future conduct (optional)
5) Show the player the yellow card

Follow this procedure and you can't possibly go wrong.

I would also strongly advise against noting down players numbers rather than names. If you have a teamsheet (very rare in England) and you write all the players and numbers on your match record sheet/card, then that's no problem. But just writing the number of the player during the 90 mins, and then checking it against the teamsheet in the changing room is very risky. For starters, you can mis-read your handwriting, as you say, and secondly, it could rain and wash away/blur your writing, resulting in confusion, as you've demonstrated.

And when it comes to quick restarts, you should never allow a quick restart when you are going to caution a player, as once play is restarted, you cannot them go through the cautioning procedure when play next stops. Also, just for common sense reasons; it gives you time to properly note down the name of the player cautioned, and takes the heat out of potentially troublesome situations.

So if you want my advice to prevent it happening again, I'd firstly not allow a quick restart if you are cautioning a player. And then secondly, when you are cautioning the player, follow the procedure above, making a note of BOTH the name and number, to eliminate the possibility of making a mistake as much as possible. And most importantly, take your time! :)

[GreatZar]

To answer HoldenMan, yes my ARs were neutral (a grade 6 State level and a grade 8 Regional/Youth R2). And the club rules demand that prior to the match both teams present rosters for check-in and the center uses it to verify the eligibility of each player (as well as picture ID, name, and kit number). So, for BentwoodBlue, I have been spoiled by this routine and haven't asked for a name when issuing cards (perhaps I should anyway).

I've been an AR for a young pup in the National Youth Ref program that makes a habit of memorizing numbers/faces and seems to me to have photographic memory (which I clearly don't have). His halftime reviews with the ref team aways amaze me. But this is clearly something to strive for (as Statesman suggests). This match was always on the edge but remained in control (and I was pleased that I kept things competitive and fair with the level of play and tension in this 1-0 loss for the team with the lucky non-red-carded player -- an own goal). But I was mentally making notes of several players who were pushing the envelope right up to the limits I'd set for the match with my calls and match control. The defender that should've been sent was a non-issue the entire match (except for three professional fouls -- the third should've cost him the match). Not really an excuse, but my mind was clearly on other players. I agree that normally it's obvious for me to recognize a player I've carded throughout a match and it should be part of my mandate to know these players without checking my book.

It's also pretty clear that you all agree that the match waits patiently while I issue the yellow (and cross all my "T"s and dot my "I"s).

It's been a good experience reffing these higher level matches this year. Kinda funny that on Sat I was helping my 14yr old son as a mentor on U9/U10 rec matches and then switch to this Men's match on Sun afternoon (HUGE difference in match mechanics). And which did I have the most trouble with...the U10G match Sat where my son called his 2nd ever PK from the center and I happened to be lucky enough to be AR for that mess of a PK. Love those U9/U10 recreational parents!

[HoldenMan]

Then how come your AR's didn't inform you of your mistake during the match? Shouldn't they be writing everything down as well? Backing up the ref's notes so situations like this don't happen is a responsibility of the AR.

[kevbrunton]

Then how come your AR's didn't inform you of your mistake during the match? Shouldn't they be writing everything down as well? Backing up the ref's notes so situations like this don't happen is a responsibility of the AR.
That's exactly right. I always ask at least one of my AR's to back me up on "the book". Then as things happen, I always make sure that he/she is done recording the necessary information before I restart. There is nothing more frustrating than being an AR who is backing the center on the book and you're still standing there with the flag tucked under your arm writing and 6 yards off the 2nd last defender when he blows the whistle for the restart.

Anyway, if you have an AR backing you and you look over to make sure he/she is done writing, it serves 2 purposes -- 1) if they can't tell who you booked, you can give them the number for them to record. 2) if you are ready to restart and they're waiting for the red to be shown, they can give you the "come hither" signal to discuss the situation.

[Ref Flunkie]

That's exactly right. I always ask at least one of my AR's to back me up on "the book". Then as things happen, I always make sure that he/she is done recording the necessary information before I restart. There is nothing more frustrating than being an AR who is backing the center on the book and you're still standing there with the flag tucked under your arm writing and 6 yards off the 2nd last defender when he blows the whistle for the restart.

Anyway, if you have an AR backing you and you look over to make sure he/she is done writing, it serves 2 purposes -- 1) if they can't tell who you booked, you can give them the number for them to record. 2) if you are ready to restart and they're waiting for the red to be shown, they can give you the "come hither" signal to discuss the situation.

Rarely can I get an AR to back me up at younger age games. Mainly because they are teenagers who are lucky they can call offside properly.

[refmike]

Rarely can I get an AR to back me up at younger age games. Mainly because they are teenagers who are lucky they can call offside properly.
You need to remind them that the requirement to keep a record of the game is for all refs, not just centers. I usually add "If I twist my ankle and can't walk, you are the best qualified person to continue the match. You must be prepared." It usually gets them thinking and they will be better next time.