Suddenly my stomach isn't doing so good...

[NHRef]

Did you ever get that "what did I just do" feeling in your stomach?

I have it now. Just got email from the State Director of Assessment giving me the ok to schedule my assessment game for a grade 7 upgrade. Suddenly I don't feel so good :eek:

The test will be easy, the fitness test, piece of cake, the assessment I am worried about. Not so much for my game control, but actually FINDING one to do. They have to be 90 minute games at U17+ and they have to be "competitive enough". There in lies the problem. We have one league that plays 90 minute games, locally Region 1 and Super Y play 40 minute halfs. The one league that does play 45 minute games, well they are not exactly known for their talent level and there are lots of blow outs. I asked the assignor to get me a couple of games that "should" work, but you never know in this league what you are going to get.

What did I get myself into here?

[gosellit]

Did you ever get that "what did I just do" feeling in your stomach?

I have it now. Just got email from the State Director of Assessment giving me the ok to schedule my assessment game for a grade 7 upgrade. Suddenly I don't feel so good :eek:

The test will be easy, the fitness test, piece of cake, the assessment I am worried about. Not so much for my game control, but actually FINDING one to do. They have to be 90 minute games at U17+ and they have to be "competitive enough". There in lies the problem. We have one league that plays 90 minute games, locally Region 1 and Super Y play 40 minute halfs. The one league that does play 45 minute games, well they are not exactly known for their talent level and there are lots of blow outs. I asked the assignor to get me a couple of games that "should" work, but you never know in this league what you are going to get.

What did I get myself into here?

Is there a Div.2 Adult league in your area? My guess would be they play full 90 min.

[MassachusettsRef]

I know I'm going to be opening up a huge can of worms by saying this, but if you have a personal relationship with your SDA, talk to him about possibly using a Region I or Super Y game.

Yes, I know the technical requirements are that an upgrade match has to be 90 minutes. But everyone knows that those matches are the best youth matches available in NH--even better than a State Cup Final. If you can pass a fitness test with flying colors, and you man manage and control a competitive 80 minute match, I suspect more than a few SDAs and SRAs will give you the pass, at least for the upgrade to 7.

And please, don't shoot the messenger if you don't think this is right. We all know--or should know--that this happens.

All that being said, if the powers that be in NH aren't so inclined, then the above post has good advice: look for D2 amateur matches (but also be aware that those can be some of the most lopsided games around).

[gosellit]

I know I'm going to be opening up a huge can of worms by saying this, but if you have a personal relationship with your SDA, talk to him about possibly using a Region I or Super Y game.

Yes, I know the technical requirements are that an upgrade match has to be 90 minutes. But everyone knows that those matches are the best youth matches available in NH--even better than a State Cup Final. If you can pass a fitness test with flying colors, and you man manage and control a competitive 80 minute match, I suspect more than a few SDAs and SRAs will give you the pass, at least for the upgrade to 7.

And please, don't shoot the messenger if you don't think this is right. We all know--or should know--that this happens.

All that being said, if the powers that be in NH aren't so inclined, then the above post has good advice: look for D2 amateur matches (but also be aware that those can be some of the most lopsided games around).

Good point.

Hopefully the assignor will give you a match that will give you the best chance for the game counting. That is part of his job.

[USSF REF]

Once you get the game, find out as much about the clubs involved as you can.

You'll do fine, trust me. Just look the part, run a lot, and do what you know how to do.

Then all you have to do is hope you don't get the "not competitive tag on your game" that always kills. I hate paying for an assesment that won't count.

Also, if you go to State Cup, Regionals, or ODP or a tournament like that, you could grab 90 minute matches there (if you get the assignment) and get free assessments off of them.

[USSF REF]

Good point.

Hopefully the assignor will give you a match that will give you the best chance for the game counting. That is part of his job.

Make sure you have ARs then on that match.

[bluedevils]

The D2 men's game is a good suggestion. Could be plenty to 'manage' in that level of play.

Massref's practical suggestion about the 80-min Super Y games is good, too. I've seen the same sort of 'bending' of the rules going on, and I don't mean it in a bad way. If the referee can handle the match, does it really matter if it was 80 minutes instead of 90? I see no problem with this and I hope your SDA will be accommodating.

Especially in this case, we are talking about an upgrade to Grade 7, not a national candidate assessment or anything.

[ref2coach]

Another option is to contact both manager/coaches and request that they play the full 90 min. In the past I have had a maintenance assessment in a semi final of a competitive invitational tournament. The rules called for an 80 min. game I got the two coaches together requested their assistance and they were happy to have their teams play the full 90. :cool:

[gildarkevin]

I've seen that occur as well, though I've never done it myself. Most often the teams are more than accommodating to a request to increase to 90 mins.

Also, don't fear a game won't count just because it's a blowout. I got assessed for an upgrade to 6 on a game that finished 10-2. But the game featured plenty of up and down the field action to judge my fitness, there were 2 penalties, numerous opportunities for fouls and cards and plenty to do in terms of man management -- in fact, as the assessor noted, the man management aspect became very important due to fears that the losing team would get frustrated and retaliate.

[blind_clown]

I've seen that occur as well, though I've never done it myself. Most often the teams are more than accommodating to a request to increase to 90 mins.

Also, don't fear a game won't count just because it's a blowout. I got assessed for an upgrade to 6 on a game that finished 10-2. But the game featured plenty of up and down the field action to judge my fitness, there were 2 penalties, numerous opportunities for fouls and cards and plenty to do in terms of man management -- in fact, as the assessor noted, the man management aspect became very important due to fears that the losing team would get frustrated and retaliate.
Yeah, score can be ignored when you get a bunch of 16-18 boys or even worse, the 18-45 boys. I didn't know any upper SYL played 80, what conference (division, whatever they call it) is that? 9 out of 10 people worry too much about the 7 assessment. The other 1 shouldn't be on the field. Remember what 7 means, upper level youth, some coed/rec adult middles, and low division adult lines. If you're going, you had to have had some success at at least the upper youth.

[NHRef]

Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions. I would have to look into the D2 stuff if it comes to that. As for convincing the assessors to "look away" at the 80 minute game, I don't really have the relationship there yet to suggest it. At this point I will do this by the book. I am just starting to meet and get to know the state level folks, so I think I will try this by the book first. My schedule for the 90 minute game league is due out soon and I asked that assignor to get me games that will qualify for the assessment. If the spring ends and I haven't gotten a "competitive" assessment, then I will look into the 80 minute super-Y/Region 1 games (which I will be reffing anyway). They are more competitive and better soccer and take a better ref to handle, but I will try this by the book first. If I get a "not competitive" result on the league that runs 90's, I will explore the other options.

Sometimes the "man management" aspect gets more during the "less talented" games, different, but more. I have one "in" with a grade6 who has watched me ref and I have reffed with, and he has no concerns about this other than finding the game to do. He may be able to help me out with the 80/90 minute issue if it comes to that.

Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions, come on warmer weather!

[Chas (Psyatika)]

Slightly related question: If one receives the "not competitive" tag, is their performance still graded for reference? For example, can a referee still receiving a failing mark despite the match not being competitive (for example, easy U12 match where the referee can't keep up, gets restarts wrong, etc)? If you would have received a perfect score if not for the "not competitive" mark, are you at least told that you did well?

[Wreave]

Slightly related question: If one receives the "not competitive" tag, is their performance still graded for reference? For example, can a referee still receiving a failing mark despite the match not being competitive (for example, easy U12 match where the referee can't keep up, gets restarts wrong, etc)? If you would have received a perfect score if not for the "not competitive" mark, are you at least told that you did well?

The "not competitive" tag has nothing to do with your performance. Either you pass or fail the assessment. Either the game is difficult/competitive enough or it's not. The two aren't related, except that you have to have both for the assessment to count for upgrade. So, yes, you can do a good job, get a good assessment, and just have it noted that the match was not difficult enough to count for upgrade.

That having been said, it's my understanding that the upgrade from 07 to 06 (and presumably, anywhere north of that) is where the difficulty level of the match really comes into play. They say it typically takes three times as many matches as required assessments to get the needed assessments, because most games aren't difficult enough.

[BC_Ref]

Slightly related question: If one receives the "not competitive" tag, is their performance still graded for reference? For example, can a referee still receiving a failing mark despite the match not being competitive (for example, easy U12 match where the referee can't keep up, gets restarts wrong, etc)? If you would have received a perfect score if not for the "not competitive" mark, are you at least told that you did well?

My understanding is that your assessment converts into a "developmental" one if it isn't hard enough - the assignor will tell you what you did right or wrong, and might give you an idea of whether you would have passed the assessment if it was tough enough.

As others have pointed out, the "toughness" issue goes up with your class. I know people trying to upgrade to Class 1 (USSF 5 I think) need some very serious and tough games. University varsity games are often used, as well as the top division of the local adult leagues (these are very good amateur games). Even then, they often need 2 games to get one valid assessment.

[bluedevils]

Remember what 7 means, upper level youth, some coed/rec adult middles, and low division adult lines. If you're going, you had to have had some success at at least the upper youth.

That might be what it says 7 means on paper, but that's not reality in my experience. I don't know about other states, but around here a 7 may be doing some PDL 4ths and possibly lines if he/she is promising enough, plenty of adult amateur matches including 1st division if the official is good enough, etc.

[blind_clown]

That might be what it says 7 means on paper, but that's not reality in my experience. I don't know about other states, but around here a 7 may be doing some PDL 4ths and possibly lines if he/she is promising enough, plenty of adult amateur matches including 1st division if the official is good enough, etc.
Yes, the upper end/younger 7s get that stuff, but the assessments still seem to only be looking for the ability to do what the grade is defined as on paper. (Well, except for the guys that assess a 7 upgrade as a 6 and a 6 as a 5, but that's another thread.)

[Law5]

If the game is "not assessable," it's a do over. Doesn't count for anything, except the value of whatever comments the assessor may offer you that will help you improve your game. After all, that's really what assessment is (should be) about. ;) If it is assessable, and you do not pass, you will have to pass two assessments, one to make up the one you failed and one to advance. Let me note in passing that although BC Ref refers to upgrading on "university games," that will not happen in the States, since college games are officially "neither affiliated nor unaffiliated" with USSF.

Although YMMV, 8 to 7 should be easy for an experienced referee. Sometimes, I've seen referees try to upgrade, however, after only the minimum number of required USSF affiliated games and they have never refereed a game at the level they are doing for upgrade. The result has been some spectacular failures, when, for example, a referee whose experience is solely U-14 and below tries to do a U-17 boys' game as his upgrade game. That is in no one's interest.
Further, although there is no good alternative system, USSF grades sometimes don't match the reality of a referee's skills or the skills of a grade X in one part of the country (or even the state) don't compare with the skills of someone else in the same grade in another part of the country. I've seen grade 5's that were pretty iffy and I've worked with a grade 7 as AR1 on a USL1 game who did a fantastic job. Don't let the grade fool 'ya.

[NHRef]

well my schedule is starting to come out, so far I have two U18B games that I will submit for the assessment, the first is April 30, one of the teams is a bit on the "physical" side while the other is a fast ball movement team. Should be interesting!

Just hope it isn't a blowout, hard to say before the teams start playing.

Here's hoping for a nice sunny day!

One question, what effect can ARs have on my assessment as CR? I know one of the ARs and he is a freshman in High School and hasn't been reffing very long, I will protect him as I would any youth ref, but can his performance detract from my assessment or just be viewed as something else I have to manage?

[USSF REF]

One question, what effect can ARs have on my assessment as CR? I know one of the ARs and he is a freshman in High School and hasn't been reffing very long, I will protect him as I would any youth ref, but can his performance detract from my assessment or just be viewed as something else I have to manage?

Certainly mistakes made by the AR won't affect your score directly. So you need not worry about that. However, if the AR is failing to assist you as you would normally expect, this could certainly detract from your match. You might begin to worry about things you shouldn't have to worry about, like do I need to protect this AR, do I need to creep his way more, is he paying attention, etc.

Once you have the assessment scheduled, you might want to ask your assigner to have him move ARs around so you can get someone you're a little more comfortable with just for that match, as it's important to you to be confident in their abilities for your first assessment ever. Perhpas you can get a state referee or a grade 7 who is familiar with the assessment process so they can even off you a little guidance before the game too. Either way, make sure you bring sodas, gatorade, or beer for your ARs for post game for helping you out on your assessment, thats a nice thing to do.

[gosellit]

Certainly mistakes made by the AR won't affect your score directly. So you need not worry about that. However, if the AR is failing to assist you as you would normally expect, this could certainly detract from your match. You might begin to worry about things you shouldn't have to worry about, like do I need to protect this AR, do I need to creep his way more, is he paying attention, etc.

Once you have the assessment scheduled, you might want to ask your assigner to have him move ARs around so you can get someone you're a little more comfortable with just for that match, as it's important to you to be confident in their abilities for your first assessment ever. Perhpas you can get a state referee or a grade 7 who is familiar with the assessment process so they can even off you a little guidance before the game too. Either way, make sure you bring sodas, gatorade, or beer for your ARs for post game for helping you out on your assessment, thats a nice thing to do.

NHRef,

This is good advise.

Also, I guess that I am stating the obvious, but make sure that you have a proper pregame. Check with your assignor and make sure that your AR's are not assigned to a match just prior to yours.

Good Luck!!!