dysfunctional referee program

[TheHun]

In using this forum I hope to get some constructive feedback on local referee programs.

Having been involved with over 20 years of professional soccer, I moved to an area that is "retarded" in its soccer growth. To be fair, it is a one-sport region where neither hockey or basketball or any international sporting does well.

However, my concern is the referee organization and its unwillingness to grow with the expanding interest of soccer in the USA.

The obsession with paper pushing certification and the use of "powerpoint" instruction has me baffled. Having been a former player, coach, administrator and journalist (yeah, I need a hobby) I found it interesting that the current local referee administrators are so ignorant about the growth of the game.

While I was willing to sign up for a course to obtain one of the coveted referee certificates (insert sarcasm here) I found their "certified" referees were outright incompetent after watching several of their matches.

During the past two seasons I witnessed referees who were more concerned with the color of socks (which by the way is NOT required -"stockings, shin guards and footware" are) then knowing the mechanics of the game.

I saw one referee show a yellow card during the run of play as one of the teams scored a goal. No whistle for stoppage of play !

A second referee made ALL the players except the kicker move 10 yards off the ball on a free kick - to the dismay of the team trying to take the kick.

A third referee used foul and abusive language while charging a player (i.e. getting in the player's face). Then duely red carding said player.

This was only a few of the examples that I reported to the officiating head during the season. (This is an adult amateur league)

In addition, the local amateur league was so intent on getting new officials they offered to pay for anyone to take the referee course.

I tried to speak to the head instructor. However, after 45 minutes on the phone, I knew it was futile. It was not a suprise that this person was giving certificates away like candy, and as he droned on about slide shows and powerpoint I knew I could not attend 18 hours of his madness called instruction.

I would be open to thoughts and ideas of how to improve the situation.

It is clear to me that my limited input is not welcomed and that things will not get better until they hit bottom.

Although the referee organization stated that the league could / should not use uncertified officials, they aready have in cases where there were no-shows. (there are lots of no-shows as there is a shortage of referees)

I personally officiate games when asked and although I believe certified referees should be used, from what I've seen the paperwork is tainted.

I will add that I believe referees and their organizations have to be held at a higher standard so the game flourishes. It is as important if not more than coaching and player developement.

I welcome posts or private messages.

[njref]

Introductory referee courses are difficult. You have people with very different levels of knowledge about the game. So you end up using powerpoints and largely teaching to the lower levels of the class. This is annoying to those who know or think they know everything already. One way around this is to have multiple intro courses, some for those new to the game and some for those with more advanced knowledge. But this is very difficult to schedule. So you end up with the "advanced" students have to sit through the boring discussions that educate the lower level students.

It is a wise idea to break up the powerpoint lectures with demos, film clips and even outdoor work if possible. Some instructors don't; that makes the classes even more boring to the advanced students. But the good news is that once you manage to sit through the course, you never have to do it again. So, rather than ranting about it and ditching the course, I would suggest that the best course is to suffer through it, get certified, and make constructive suggestions to the instructors at the end.

[Untroubled by Reason]

I couldn't agree more with NJREF. The best way to fix the problems is to be a part of the solution. Some of our best referees come from a player's background - you have the experience and feel for the game that can be gained in no other way. But, for better or worse, the only way to contribute is to go through the certification process, even if that means "Death by Viewgraph."

Good luck!

[NHRef]

If we're talking about the ussf course, a good instructor will be watching the class and adjusting based on feedback. He will also work in breaks, demo's, videos and other items to keep peoples attention. It's a long course and a monotonous instructor makes it longer.

I start off right away in law 2 and throw a soccer ball or 3 around the class asking if/why this ball is illegal. Keeps em awake right away during a particularly slow law discussion. :rolleyes:

[Untroubled by Reason]

Our instructor broke it up with visual aids, humor and using more than one instructor for variety's sake. As long as I live, I'll never forget the phrase, "You can't prevent stupid people from playing soccer!"
On recerts, though, I haven't been so lucky with instructors, but at least you know going in, no matter how bad it is, it's going to be over soon...

[Shavano]

As an Instructor, I firmly believe in the motto " The mind can only absorb as much as the seat can endure" I do not have a class that sits for more than about 15 minutes at a time.

Probably two of the most "attention challenged" classes I have to teach are on Laws 11 & 12. Having the students "role play" in both of these classes has proven to be not only an attention keeper, but seems to impart the knowledge quite a bit better than just the Powerpoint.

[nsa]

How many candidates are in your classes? We limit the Gr. 8 class to 30; the Gr. 9 course is capped at 25. In my mind, this makes a difference.


As an Instructor, I firmly believe in the motto " The mind can only absorb as much as the seat can endure" I do not have a class that sits for more than about 15 minutes at a time.My dad always said that the human bottom was not designed to be in one place for more than 30 minutes. I get the class moving around. I tell them that I'm lazy and they're going to have to write on the board and the flip charts. :)

Probably two of the most "attention challenged" classes I have to teach are on Laws 11 & 12. Having the students "role play" in both of these classes has proven to be not only an attention keeper, but seems to impart the knowledge quite a bit better than just the Powerpoint.

By and large, the referee candidates these days come in with a wealth of knowledge about "fair" and "foul" play. A good instructor performs a balancing act using the candidate's knowledge to illustrate and inform the specifics of the LOTG without letting it turn into just a bunch of war stories.

And walking through scenarios helps make offside clearer, especially when you put the flag in someone's hands and ask them to stay with the 2LD or the ball and wait for a player to get involved. Get a few defenders up, a 'keeper, and some attackers with the balance of the class forming the touchlines as well as providing feedback to the AR. Great fun that teaches.


Depending upon the class and the instructor schedule, I'll start or end with Law 5. Starting with Law 5, I can use the Powers and Duties as a preview of the entire course. Ending with Law 5, it's a wrap-up.

[campbed]

A couple of questions...

1. The replies so far center around classroom mechanics. Is this what you are after?

2. What exactly is the "referee organization" you refer to? Is it the standard USSF Referee organization for your state (i.e. State Director of Referee Instruction, State Director of Referee Assessment), or one specifically for the "local amateur league"?

3. Is the point you are really after that the SRI and SRA grant Grade 7/6/5/etc. upgrades to unqualified referees?

4. You mention there are many "no shows" due to a "shortage of referees". I do not understand this statement, they are two different things. Did you mean to say that the assignor for the amateur league has assigned referees simply not show up, or that the assignor has no referee to assign for a given game due to a shortage?

5. You seem to imply that 18 hours of instruction is madness. Is that per se, or due to the material being inadequate or ineffective? Or is it the delivery and classroom mechanics the replies are referring to. (I'm assuming you are referring to the Grade 8 Introductory class) In any case, I'd love to hear from our friends outside the USA describe the classroom and other method of referee development, starting with introductory training (i.e. USSF Grade 8/9).

[nsa]

If we're talking about the ussf course, a good instructor will be watching the class and adjusting based on feedback. He will also work in breaks, demo's, videos and other items to keep peoples attention. It's a long course and a monotonous instructor makes it longer.Spoken like a true ITIP devotee, except for the last line.

It's a long course and a monotonous instructor should not be teaching it. :D


I start off right away in law 2 and throw a soccer ball or 3 around the class asking if/why this ball is illegal. Keeps em awake right away during a particularly slow law discussion. :rolleyes:

But there's no question about Law 2 on the exam. ;)

[nsa]

5. You seem to imply that 18 hours of instruction is madness. Is that per se, or due to the material being inadequate or ineffective? Or is it the delivery and classroom mechanics the replies are referring to. (I'm assuming you are referring to the Grade 8 Introductory class) In any case, I'd love to hear from our friends outside the USA describe the classroom and other method of referee development, starting with introductory training (i.e. USSF Grade 8/9).A few years ago I was in contact with a Dutch referee who said their instruction consisted of two hours a week in the evening over the course of a couple months. Homework, videos, etc. I'd bet that the US idea of cramming folks into a room for 8 hours at a stretch is not the norm, world-wide.

[NHRef]

Spoken like a true ITIP devotee, except for the last line.

It's a long course and a monotonous instructor should not be teaching it. :D




But there's no question about Law 2 on the exam. ;)

Nope, not an ITIP fan, but it's how they want us to teach.

Whether its on the test or not, its still a job of the ref to make sure ball is ok and tossing one or three into the class makes em stay awake (though at this point you're what, like 15 minutes into the class!)

I agree though, have to keep em moving and two 8 hour days, then the test is not the best way to teach. We run some two nights a week for several weeks and we get better attendance at the weekend ones.

[constructor]

I sat through it some years ago and I'll have to agree on one thing. As a former player, I felt the course was pretty much geared to the person who had extremely limited experience on the pitch. There were times when I had trouble staying awake, but I think most of that comes back to the individual instructor.

As for "no shows" and "ref shortage", I've never been on a crew with a no show. It simply isn't tolerated by the assignors I work for. There seems to be a ref shortage, but how much, I couldn't say. Looking at the demographics I've observed, there aren't many refs in the 20-35yo bracket. They seem to quit about 20-24 for whatever reason. It's a pretty dedicated person if they're still in it past that point. Maybe it's life issues, jobs, new families, or burnout. I don't even pretend to know how to fix that.

[ctreferee]

A few years ago I was in contact with a Dutch referee who said their instruction consisted of two hours a week in the evening over the course of a couple months. Homework, videos, etc. I'd bet that the US idea of cramming folks into a room for 8 hours at a stretch is not the norm, world-wide.

This is how my grade 8 clinic was done back in 02'

[TheHun]

It has been quite interesting to read the feedback so far.

I thank everyone for their input and will keep some of your suggestions in mind.

However, it is natural that most of the replies have been from referees or officials. As I have posed the same circumstances to league officials and players, the response has been a bit opposite.

I realize that without every tidbit and details it is difficult to make a complete assessment, but ideas are free and it was great to see them here.

To update you :

The league has dropped using the sevices of the local assigner. We have decided to use the experience of former players, volunteers and some of the qualified referees from the former league in our upcoming games.

We feel this will send a message to the instructors (and the administrator who never leaves his office) that their certification and referee assignments are not acceptable. We are increasing the pay of the referees who join us and we will be keeping a merit system for the officials thoughout the season.

Each referee will be rated by both team Captains (Monday morning e-mail to the league will rate them 1 to 10)

At mid-season we will assess the referee's grades. We will option to work with the referees who have an average of less than 3.0.

At the end of the season an instructional course will be offered to anyone still under the 3.0 level. (however, anyone can take the course). We will automatically drop any referee who has less than a 2.0 rating and does not take the course.

We have decided that all the paperwork cannot replace experience and dedication that the game of soccer requires.

By the way, this is simular to the methods used in Holland and Belgium and a rating system used in the UK.

Thanks again. If you wish to know more about the rating system, feel free to contact me.

[Tarheel Ref]

When I first read the title of the thread, I thought it was about a program FOR dysfunctional referees, and I was going to take a position opposing it. :p

Seriously...

One thing I think you should keep in mind when compiling your ratings from team captains is that their opinions are highly subjective...both could be VERY unhappy with the referee for different reasons, likely having little merit, and rate the ref poorly when in reality a difficult match was officiated fairly and well.

Just my humble opinion...

[campton]

Rating by the players? If a referee awarded a close penalty in the 89th go a team i was playing, then we lost, he wouldn't get a good rating. I think that system is going to show this score line:

Red team 10
Blue team -5

The consistancy of results is probably going to be poor.

[mutinywxgirl]

Nope, not an ITIP fan, but it's how they want us to teach.

Whether its on the test or not, its still a job of the ref to make sure ball is ok and tossing one or three into the class makes em stay awake (though at this point you're what, like 15 minutes into the class!)

I agree though, have to keep em moving and two 8 hour days, then the test is not the best way to teach. We run some two nights a week for several weeks and we get better attendance at the weekend ones.
Mine was on two consecutive weekends - for 5 hrs each day except for the last one. It was hard for the younger kids - I cannot imagine doing it all in one weekend! We were fortunate in that we had 3 different instructors, so it helped to keep it fresh, and they got us all up and moving quite a bit. One was a bit monotonous, however, his stories more than made up for it!

[mutinywxgirl]

Seriously...

One thing I think you should keep in mind when compiling your ratings from team captains is that their opinions are highly subjective...both could be VERY unhappy with the referee for different reasons, likely having little merit, and rate the ref poorly when in reality a difficult match was officiated fairly and well.

Just my humble opinion...
This is the first thing that went through my head when I read what you are planning to do. In the past when I had to deal with such things, we could get reports on the same game with the coach of one team rating the official a 10 and the other one rating him a 2. Seriously, how is that accurate? He was probably in the 7-8 range.

Please take this into consideration as you're using your rating system.

[NHRef]

Not sure if you've answered these questions, but please help us out here...
1) Are you using USSF certified refs? If so, they, in theory, have consistent training.
2) If yes, then you can get USSF certified assessors to watch refs, though this will cost money.
3) If using USSF refs, I believe you can get a list of USSF refs who have taken the annual 6 hours of training (for grade 8 refs), and a list of what upper grades you have available to you.

Using the coaches/captains is a valid data point, but keep two items in mind:
- they are biased towards their teams view point
- they may or may not actually know the rules, you'd be amazed at some of the things we refs hear from some coaches and players, even long term ones.

[nsa]

Not sure if you've answered these questions, but please help us out here...
1) Are you using USSF certified refs? If so, they, in theory, have consistent training.
2) If yes, then you can get USSF certified assessors to watch refs, though this will cost money.
3) If using USSF refs, I believe you can get a list of USSF refs who have taken the annual 6 hours of training (for grade 8 refs), and a list of what upper grades you have available to you.

Your USSF-certified referee assignor would have all that information at hand.