View Full Version : I passed!
Ref Flunkie
23 Jul 2006, 03:32 PM
Woo, passed my assessment for my 7!! Doing the happy dance! Now I need to ice my knee :).
gosellit
23 Jul 2006, 04:41 PM
GREAT.
Are you interested in working our local Hispanic League? We don't pay mileage, but the food is outstanding.
Ref Flunkie
23 Jul 2006, 06:04 PM
GREAT.
Are you interested in working our local Hispanic League? We don't pay mileage, but the food is outstanding.
I just got a note about a new Hispanic League from our assignor. Sounds interesting, especially the food part!
USSF REF
23 Jul 2006, 06:54 PM
Great Work, way to go!
Doug the Ref
23 Jul 2006, 10:43 PM
Congrats, Flunkie. Now will you be changing your screen name??
Ref Flunkie
24 Jul 2006, 12:26 PM
Congrats, Flunkie. Now will you be changing your screen name??
Yeah that would be no fun...unless I go to "Kinda Ref Flunkie" or something :).
Statesman
24 Jul 2006, 01:01 PM
Ref Passie?
Ref Flunkie
24 Jul 2006, 01:07 PM
Ref Passie?
As long as I don't typo that "a" in Passie ;).
usatowin
24 Jul 2006, 04:16 PM
As long as I don't typo that "a" in Passie ;).
What's wrong with your ref posse doing Hispanic games?
Statesman
24 Jul 2006, 07:54 PM
Replace the "a" with a "u" and you get what the players call us. Replace it with an "i" and you get our reaction!
IASocFan
25 Jul 2006, 01:40 PM
I hate too overmoderate, but I thought some of the personal comments were better unstated.
We'll let the readers determine the obvious and pompous without pointing it out. Besides, we're all professionals here. :)
Oh, and congrats to Ref Flunkie! It's a step, I've decided I'm too old to take.
USSF REF
25 Jul 2006, 01:45 PM
I hate too overmoderate, but I thought some of the personal comments were better unstated.
We'll let the readers determine the obvious and pompous without pointing it out. Besides, we're all professionals here. :)
Oh, and congrats to Ref Flunkie! It's a step, I've decided I'm too old to take.
Then yee shall have an honorary grade 7 bestowed upon you... at least within the realm of Big Soccer.
pasoccerdave
25 Jul 2006, 01:49 PM
Then yee shall have an honorary grade 7 bestowed upon you... at least within the realm of Big Soccer.
Does that come with "honorary" moderator status?
ArgylleRef
26 Jul 2006, 09:37 AM
I don't think anyone is too old to take the step to grade 7. I did it when I was 41, two years ago. What I am struggling with is the leap to grade 6. There is only one Adult league in the state that counts for upgrade and it is very much in conflict with my committments at my church. My game count isn't progressing and I can't get a assessable game.
Steve
And Congrats Flunkie!!!
Then yee shall have an honorary grade 7 bestowed upon you... at least within the realm of Big Soccer.
IASocFan is a FIFA-level moderator! :)
USSF REF
26 Jul 2006, 11:00 AM
IASocFan is a FIFA-level moderator! :)
This was never in doubt.:D
IASocFan
26 Jul 2006, 11:07 AM
I don't think anyone is too old to take the step to grade 7. I did it when I was 41, two years ago...
Now 62, I decided several years ago, I didn't have the energy and speed to keep up. Before then, I was too busy coaching and raising a family to worry about referee advancement. :)
Ref Flunkie
26 Jul 2006, 11:21 AM
Now 62, I decided several years ago, I didn't have the energy and speed to keep up. Before then, I was too busy coaching and raising a family to worry about referee advancement. :)
This is really where I'm going to have to figure out what I want to do with my life. It seems like there are many more "events" that you are expected to go to as you move up the food chain. My view on advancement is, if higher ups keep telling me I'm good enough to keep moving up, I will do so. However, I'm not one that NEEDS to be a 5, 4, 3 or whatever. I'm just doing this to have fun and help out the sport of soccer.
Statesman
26 Jul 2006, 01:24 PM
From what I've seen, the amount of time spent as a Grade 7 for many referees is fairly short. Considering than many spend four to eight years as a Grade 8, and a good three or more years as a 6, the Grade 7 status is just a transitional period for tracking game counts and applying assessments. For those moving up, they'll only be a Grade 7 for a year or two.
As a result, administrators basically look for Grade 7s to be attending more clinics, taking on more challenging assignments, and creating relationships with the hierarchy. You literally become an "advanced student" of the game, learning the ropes to prepare for the jump to competitive amateur and semi-professional matches. The Grade 7 symbolizes the desire to advance and make a long term committment to soccer officiating.
Unfortunately, Grade 7s also tend to get some pretty crappy assignments! If you start running lines in amateurs, or even centers, you'll find yourself thrown to the wolves on some minor division matchup between teams that don't get along, but ultimately has no impact on the standings. Around here a new amateur referee won't even see a center until they've run lines in the league for at least a full season, if not two. Assignors expect you'll accept every game they need your help on, regardless of whether it's a U12 line or a recreational woman's D league game.
So, Ref Flunkie, congratulations on taking that next step and I hope you do continue to move through the ranks. Just remember to stay positive and take your licks like the rest of the pros, your time will come!
NHRef
26 Jul 2006, 01:34 PM
I became a 7 this summer, but mostly to move along the lines of becoming an instructor (taking that course in mid-August!). I don't have a desire to move to a 6, at 42 I don't have any aspirations to run professional games etc. I really enjoy the youth games at all levels and especially working with younger refs as mentor and soon to be an instructor.
There are many reasons to move to a 7, you also get access to more advanced training and clinics.