Losing the end line in the sun?

[pasoccerdave]

Yesterday I created a problem of my own while running center for a U10 Boys game. As it's the second time it's happened to me in 2 weeks, I figured I would throw the question out here for suggestions.

The last 2 weekends I've worked games in very bright sunlight, where the sun was situated behind one of the endlines. I find that I have missed two out of bounds calls, because I can't see the line in the sunlight. The first game I did not wear a hat, and regretted it all day long. The second time I did, but its benefit did not overcome my vision issue.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Has this happened to anyone else?

[pensmom4]

Are you working alone? Without line refs?

[pasoccerdave]

Are you working alone? Without line refs?

Volunteer parents at this level.

[Grizzlierbear]

Yesterday I created a problem of my own while running center for a U10 Boys game. As it's the second time it's happened to me in 2 weeks, I figured I would throw the question out here for suggestions.

The last 2 weekends I've worked games in very bright sunlight, where the sun was situated behind one of the endlines. I find that I have missed two out of bounds calls, because I can't see the line in the sunlight. The first game I did not wear a hat, and regretted it all day long. The second time I did, but its benefit did not overcome my vision issue.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Has this happened to anyone else?

Hat and sunscreen especially in multiple games is a must. It may not fit in with protocall at the top elite 1 or 2 game a week but is neccessary to the overworked working referee out in the bright sun. Personally I will don a pair of the high quality sunglasses that cut the glare may not fit the image but it makes seeing under those conditions a lot easier. Heck we are supposed to be blind may as well look blind. LOL! Often in working the late summer games the setting sun in the evening obscures the faded lines completely. While I will place a few flat red cones for visual refrence on occasion Working as a single official you stay wide out with the the sun at your back if possible. It is a different running pattern and while there are problems, as I was taught to be left of the ball, sun at the back on certain low setting sunny conditions is the only feasable way I have of seeing ANYTHING! Of course it is much easier with proper ARs but I tell players PLAY the whistle If the ball is near the touchlines or endlines I may not see if it is in or out but if a defender reacts as if it is out and off of him he raises his hand I likely will go with the call as posession is for his opponent thus accepting his or her honesty. If the defender screams that the attacking player has carried it out tough nogie unless I can be sure I make no call. In fact I say to all players, on oiffside or balls in or out UNLESS I am 100% positive I make NO call so PLAY the WHISTLE at ALL TIMES GENTELMEN

[jkc313]

Yesterday I created a problem of my own while running center for a U10 Boys game. As it's the second time it's happened to me in 2 weeks, I figured I would throw the question out here for suggestions.

The last 2 weekends I've worked games in very bright sunlight, where the sun was situated behind one of the endlines. I find that I have missed two out of bounds calls, because I can't see the line in the sunlight. The first game I did not wear a hat, and regretted it all day long. The second time I did, but its benefit did not overcome my vision issue.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Has this happened to anyone else?
As you can imagine, hear in Georgia we have our share of bright sun. I've used flip up sunglasses like baseball outfielders do and they help

[macheath]

Yesterday I created a problem of my own while running center for a U10 Boys game. As it's the second time it's happened to me in 2 weeks, I figured I would throw the question out here for suggestions.

The last 2 weekends I've worked games in very bright sunlight, where the sun was situated behind one of the endlines. I find that I have missed two out of bounds calls, because I can't see the line in the sunlight. The first game I did not wear a hat, and regretted it all day long. The second time I did, but its benefit did not overcome my vision issue.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Has this happened to anyone else?

Happens all the time when you're running solo games, which is usually the situation here in DC. If you can't see it, watch the players--especially at younger ages, they will pull up and stop playing when the ball crosses the line, or look up at you in a puzzled way. As they get older, they know not to do this, and that means running harder to see the line.

Oh--and don't wear sunglasses unless you're ready for a lot of blind jokes..:)

[Wreave]

Hat and sunscreen especially in multiple games is a must. It may not fit in with protocall at the top elite 1 or 2 game a week but is neccessary to the overworked working referee out in the bright sun.

Suncreen for multiple games is mandatory. I also wear prescription, polarized sunglasses. As noted, if you're working one or two elite games in a week, you can get by without. However, if you're out on the fields all day (e.g. at a tournament), going without sunglasses is a very high risk for long-term vision damage. I intend to referee and/or enjoy outdoor sports for many years, so I wear sunglasses on Saturdays, with no apologies.

If you do wear sunglasses, make a point to take them off whenever having a face-to-face discussion with anyone on the field - e.g. at pregame. The point is not to hide behind them, just to protect your vision.

I have a nice black hat with our club logo on it, which was provided to all our referees last season. However, I only wear it unless it's raining (to keep my glasses dry).

Finally, has anyone seen those Nike Maxsight tinted contact lenses? Apparently they are NOT considered a replacement for sunglasses as they don't cover all the ocular tissue, but they do cover quite a bit and I bet people will end up wearing them as sunglasses, then end up getting burned around the edges and suing Nike's butt off.
http://www.bausch.com/us/resource/visioncare/soft/nike_maxsight_resfaq.jsp

[pasoccerdave]

Worked Ar for a U19F game yesterday, and I carefully watched the CR's positioning during the game. He's got 10 years experience, and didn't appear to have any issue, though the sun was in a similar position.

I think my solution lies in altering my run from a center path to be able to more of a diagoanl, in order to view the endline from a more parallel position.

[macheath]

(snip)...If you do wear sunglasses, make a point to take them off whenever having a face-to-face discussion with anyone on the field - e.g. at pregame. The point is not to hide behind them, just to protect your vision...(snip)

and so you don't have to suffer too many "blind ref" jokes... :)