We must do Better!

[Rufusabc]

Over the last 4-5 months I have watched my daughter play a lot of games in both HS and club. I have watched easily 30-35 games, some of them in elite tournament groupings (shortened games), HS playoff matches, etc. Less then half of them have had referees who appeared interested in being on the field of play, whether they be the two in the Dual, the AR's, or the CR.

IF YOU TAKE THE MONEY PUT IN THE EFFORT!

I have seen referees in mismatched gear. I saw a HS ref who wore a dark blue jacket over his yellow shirt on a cold day, which was the exact color of one of the teams. He was passed to twice. I have seen more refs than I can count not make an effort to keep up with play AT ALL. Not from the opening whistle and surely not at the end of a match. I have seen an AR talking on a cell phone as the match unfolds in front of him. I have seen CR's whose body language is so bad you know just by looking they want to be anywhere but on that field at that moment. And this is not even about decision making and foul recognition. I have seen penalties called and ignored because the CR was 50 yards from where the ball was, and the AR just shrugged his shoulders. And I'm not talking about the JV playing on Friday afternoon at 3:30pm, I'm talking about a college showcase invitational where the players are paying 2-3,000 a year to play on these teams. I like to watch soccer being played and I watch for the referees to learn and to get better. As a refereee who prides himself on giving it all while on the field for every match whether it be a rec match or a super elite team, I am mad that the referees who do not LOOK the part (and I'm not just talking uniform) are out there doing these matches without a hint of effort. If it takes you 10 seconds to arrive at the spot of a foul, then you are a tad behind the play.

But, I can't begin to tell you how bad the mechanics were that I saw this year. Last weekend, a CR was 10 feet from a ball that went into touch and he called it correctly, but allowed himself to be overruled by his assistant who was 60 yards down the touchline!!! The throw-in led to a goal in one pass! It does matter sometimes. I saw so much hestitency and lack of strength in whistling for fouls, and calling stuff so far behind the action. It took a lot to keep me quiet, but I figured I'd come on here, and vent and find out what I can possibly do. Does anyone care? Does the assignor care that his guys are showing up and taking the money and doing half a job? Does the tournament director care that the clubs are paying an entrance fee and getting NOTHING for their money except a crummy field, poorly lined?

Is this an overreaction? Should I just shrug like the AR and slink away knowing that this is what we are getting?

Do you have a better experience to talk about?

Rufus

[hradilv]

Well said. Personally, I have yet to be paid for refereeing as I've only done AYSO games and they are volunteer only. However, I still give it my all, for the kids - and for the good of the game I love.

That being said - I'd like to hear what the assignors have to say about it. DO they care?

[Wahoos1]

Tough call.

RE: High School: I know that in our area the struggle to cover games is ongoing, with far more slots than refs willing to take the abuse and grief to work a HS match. I always stand during announcement about "good sportsmanship" and wonder why they even bother to say it if the AD/Coaches are not aware of anything. The fields are crappy and small and often torn up from football with poor mowing and marking. Then the teams come out with more enthusiasm than skill playing real soccer about 10% of the time.

RE: Tournies: Just did one last weekend. Windchill at 22 degrees and wind just whipping. By game 5 in 8 hours you can bet my butt was dragging and not getting anywhere near the goal line on the runs. The young 'uns were all calling in with "car trouble" or the like. Plus, mix in the attitudes from the players, stupid BS from the parents, 5 minute halftimes, teams without any inflated balls, keepers that still have not figured out they need to look around at teams before putting on their keeper jersey, coaches who do send teams out when called and then get upset when you start your watch and their are some recipes for issues to arise. Yeah, by game 5 my consentration was down and legs were not at full tilt.

And by the end of the season so many are burnt out that the area is fighting to get games covered.

No question we need to do better. We need to do better at mentoring the youth so they stick around. Better at enforcing the basics like starting kickoff on time, forcing ADs to address behavior, staying fit to be able to keep up. Sadly, if you take it too seriously at the HS and tourny level you will burn out and be gone anyway. Need to keep some perspective and a sense of humor.

And, I have seen some God AWFUL college games this season. Teams that simply are "C" level travel club teams at best. Just woeful. And the concentration and focus just gets sucked out of you its so awful. Fat players at midfield!! How can you be fat, and be playing midfield at season end?

[refmedic]

Here Here!!!!

The last match that I worked (the one where I got hurt on the unplayable pitch as an AR), the other AR was wearing long pants (at least they were black) and a black hooded sweatshirt under his LS gold, with the hood hanging out of the collar. He looked like he was a parent who stole a referee shirt from someone. That being said, usually the problem is bodies. I'm not an assignor, but I know several of them very well, and when it comes down to it, my experience is that the leagues tell them they want 3 referees for every match, and that is all they care about. There are fewer and fewer quality referees these days, so there are fewer to use on the tough games. The lower level (this was a lower division amateur match w/ unlimited subs) matches are covered with a warm body. There is little incentive to get anal-retentive with your mechanics, worry about your fitness, and become a student of the game because you can be run a line on your cell phone in a prom dress according to the rules of volleyball, and you're still going to get called next week. High school is worse. I've worked HS matches with referees who just came from their field hockey game and decided not to change uniforms. It's a disgrace, but it's going to be tough to get rid of. As long as the assignor needs to cover the game, they will use ANYONE at their disposal to get it done. There are some referees who almost need to use a cane or a walker to get down the field, are 150 lbs overweight, and are more worried about their pointy ball game on saturday because it pays more.

Rufusabc, I think EVERYONE here completely agrees with you. The problem is that the same referees that you are ranting about are those that would never take the time to come to this forum to talk, learn, and meet. I've been at my wits end in the past when I've seen some things happen on a field, and it makes you want to scream. I hope that your rant has been therapeutic for you. We all need to let loose sometimes. I agree 100%; if you're going to take the payment, DO THE F@*$&!G JOB!!!

[bluedevils]

Fat players at midfield!! How can you be fat, and be playing midfield at season end?

Because that player MIGHT have an ounce of skill, whereas the rest of the players on the bench have ZERO!

Seriously, the quality of college soccer is just terrible. Both technically and tactically, the players are terrible overall -- whether D1, D2, D3, or NAIA.

[Rufusabc]

I had a thread here about a college soccer match (the ACC Final) and I was absolutely appalled at the tactics used by both squads. It was though possession for longer than a second was a bad thing. The quality of the soccer being played is sometimes beyond belief.

[pumpkinpie]

I agree with most everything that is being said. But what I think what is being missed is that if we as referees want this to improve we must accept some of the responsibility for our fellow referees. If we have to report the guys that show up late, don't wear the right uniform, or just don't try and do the job then so be it. We must tell the assignor or whoever is in charge. Obviously first I would speak up to my fellow referee and try to help him improve. But if they refuse to make an effort then we are left with no choice other than to report them.

Im sure that some people would say that they would never report a fellow referee. Well to me if they don't want to do the job then get out. They are making it hard on all of us and we look bad collectively. When the coaches fans see that guy not doing his job they see a referee, they dont see joe the ref or bob the ref just the referee.

As for the comments about the level of soccer in college being crap, or any other league. If you think so be professional and turn down the game. Don't take it anyway because it's good money. If you don't want to do the game and don't enjoy turn it back!!

[refmedic]

I agree with most everything that is being said. But what I think what is being missed is that if we as referees want this to improve we must accept some of the responsibility for our fellow referees. If we have to report the guys that show up late, don't wear the right uniform, or just don't try and do the job then so be it. We must tell the assignor or whoever is in charge. Obviously first I would speak up to my fellow referee and try to help him improve. But if they refuse to make an effort then we are left with no choice other than to report them.

Im sure that some people would say that they would never report a fellow referee. Well to me if they don't want to do the job then get out. They are making it hard on all of us and we look bad collectively. When the coaches fans see that guy not doing his job they see a referee, they dont see joe the ref or bob the ref just the referee.

As for the comments about the level of soccer in college being crap, or any other league. If you think so be professional and turn down the game. Don't take it anyway because it's good money. If you don't want to do the game and don't enjoy turn it back!!

Sometimes you will find a referee that will do something so stupid that you don't have to report them. At a recent game, a referee there for an upgrade assessment wore his short sleeve gold with a long sleeve underarmor under it, with no badge. Despite the fact that you cannot be assessed without the proper badge for your level with the current year on it, this guy didn't start off on right foot, and now the powers that be know about him.

[DWickham]

I recall many matches as a parent when I needed to step away from other spectators so that I could privately vent at the ineptness of the referee. I understand and have experienced the same emotions as the posters.

We are wrong.

We expect that all the referees assigned to our children's matches will act professionally, be fit and free from injury, be experienced but not be old, be in position to make the correct calls, and be able to manage the players, to protect them from thugs, and to keep the game fair. So, I think, does every assignor (a job so stressful that I would never try).

When reality never seems to match our expectations, we ought to be questioning our expectations.

I know that in my association, we need 250-400 referees to cover all the high school and youth matches. There are many referees who bring a professional's attitude to the matches. Yet, if we assigned only them, I suspect we would have to cancel more than half the scheduled matches. We know it takes several years to gain the experience to become a decent referee. Yet, we barely retain half the referees in the first year! The sidelines become frustrated when reality doesn't match expectations of the parents/coaches, and the future referees quit. We expect the sidelines to behave or the referee to dismiss the irresponsible; again, reality never seems to match our expectations.

The answer, in the words of Crash Davis, is to "relax and remember that the game is supposed to be fun." We ought to expect that the referee will be fair, will keep the players safe, and will keep the game fun. Everything else is a bonus.

[Sharky1967]

I think we are talking about human nature. Some people put everything they have into what they are doing, in this case reffing. Others will only give enough effort to get the job done, or more plainly put not to get fired.

I keep a list of the local referees that only do enough and I talk to my assignors about not working with them. While I do miss out on games at times because of my attitude I don't often get complaints from players or coaches about my team doing a poor job on their game.

The only way to fix this issue is to have more referees than needed. Then though constant assessment the weaker ones would be weeded out.

Since that will not happen anytime soon I have no positive solution for this problem :mad:

[njref]

I think we are talking about human nature. Some people put everything they have into what they are doing, in this case reffing. Others will only give enough effort to get the job done, or more plainly put not to get fired.

I keep a list of the local referees that only do enough and I talk to my assignors about not working with them. While I do miss out on games at times because of my attitude I don't often get complaints from players or coaches about my team doing a poor job on their game.

The only way to fix this issue is to have more referees than needed. Then though constant assessment the weaker ones would be weeded out.

Since that will not happen anytime soon I have no positive solution for this problem :mad:

To put this in biological terms:

If assignors could review their assigned referees and cull out the weaker ones or get them help, the quality of referees for that league would improve. But how many assignors get paid enough, have time enough, have enough referees to work with, and have the expertise to do this? The truth is that most assignors are happy to have bodies and don't have the time or ability to cull the herd. In the absence of selection (natural or otherwise), the referee pool will not evolve into a stronger group.

[Alberto]

Remember that a vast number of referee's are in their first or second year of officiating. Many have not played or coached the game. Many are adults there because their kids are playing. Others are teens. Most do not have aspirations of becoming national referees. However, parents and coaches particularly in youth demand a level of perfection and professionalism that is completely unrealistic and frankly not required. Parents and coaches should expect the following from referees with regards to youth soccer matches (let me qualify my remarks before some know it all will deem it necessary to cite evidence to the contrary)

1. Referee's are expected to have a basic knowledge of the laws of the game. This includes getting the restarts correct. Passable foul recognition and knowing when to stop play for treatment of injuries.

2. Referee's are expected to be on time.

3. Referee's are expected to be in uniform.

4. Referee's are not there to be abused by parents and coaches because of the inadequacies and lack of maturity on the part of parents and coaches. It is the duty of referees to report abusive behavior. I find it particularly onerous for adults to pick on teenagers. It is totally irresponsible for adults to do this. They should encourage, not be dismissive and confrontational of teen referees.

5. Referee's are not to be chastised for their shortcomings or to be compared to a level of performance for say a grade 7 or higher level referee for most youth matches.

6. Parents should keep their comments positive about their players.

7. Coaches should be mindful of what is an appropriate question, versus questions that are forms of gamesmanship or abuse. This would include "oh come on ref what was that!" "Call it both ways!" Coaches are there to coach their players not to critique the referee or question his decisions.

[Alberto]

Over the last 4-5 months I have watched my daughter play a lot of games in both HS and club. I have watched easily 30-35 games, some of them in elite tournament groupings (shortened games), HS playoff matches, etc. Less then half of them have had referees who appeared interested in being on the field of play, whether they be the two in the Dual, the AR's, or the CR.

IF YOU TAKE THE MONEY PUT IN THE EFFORT!

I have seen referees in mismatched gear. I saw a HS ref who wore a dark blue jacket over his yellow shirt on a cold day, which was the exact color of one of the teams. He was passed to twice. I have seen more refs than I can count not make an effort to keep up with play AT ALL. Not from the opening whistle and surely not at the end of a match. I have seen an AR talking on a cell phone as the match unfolds in front of him. I have seen CR's whose body language is so bad you know just by looking they want to be anywhere but on that field at that moment. And this is not even about decision making and foul recognition. I have seen penalties called and ignored because the CR was 50 yards from where the ball was, and the AR just shrugged his shoulders. And I'm not talking about the JV playing on Friday afternoon at 3:30pm, I'm talking about a college showcase invitational where the players are paying 2-3,000 a year to play on these teams. I like to watch soccer being played and I watch for the referees to learn and to get better. As a refereee who prides himself on giving it all while on the field for every match whether it be a rec match or a super elite team, I am mad that the referees who do not LOOK the part (and I'm not just talking uniform) are out there doing these matches without a hint of effort. If it takes you 10 seconds to arrive at the spot of a foul, then you are a tad behind the play.

But, I can't begin to tell you how bad the mechanics were that I saw this year. Last weekend, a CR was 10 feet from a ball that went into touch and he called it correctly, but allowed himself to be overruled by his assistant who was 60 yards down the touchline!!! The throw-in led to a goal in one pass! It does matter sometimes. I saw so much hestitency and lack of strength in whistling for fouls, and calling stuff so far behind the action. It took a lot to keep me quiet, but I figured I'd come on here, and vent and find out what I can possibly do. Does anyone care? Does the assignor care that his guys are showing up and taking the money and doing half a job? Does the tournament director care that the clubs are paying an entrance fee and getting NOTHING for their money except a crummy field, poorly lined?

Is this an overreaction? Should I just shrug like the AR and slink away knowing that this is what we are getting?

Do you have a better experience to talk about?

Rufus

At your daughters age and level of play, you are right to demand a higher standard. The referee's doing these matches at the club level should be experienced and in shape. They should be grade 7 and higher. High School depending on where you live can be a horror show. In my home state of New Jersey, I can say that the quality of officiating is terrible for way too many matches. Part of the problem is the insistence in modifying the laws of the game and employing the dual system of control. What good referee would want to work with a dual system of control or with another referee who considers soccer a secondary sport. Many in high school have no feel for the game. Basketball and American Football are their sports.