Referee Foot Care

Discussion in 'Referee' started by AAGunner3, Aug 25, 2003.

  1. AAGunner3

    AAGunner3 Member

    Feb 14, 2002
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's Tournament time again. Did 5 games Saturday in a youth tourney. Haven't done that many in a long time.

    The most important body part on a referee is his brain, and arguably followed by his eyes,... but feet have got to rank right up there. I had to lay off for a couple of years recently due to an inflamed plantar fasciitis (might as well be a heel spur).

    Problem is, I wore my turf shoes for all five games and rubbed the soles of my feet raw. I've never had that kind of problem before. In retrospect, my turfs have little foot support inside, and I could have cushioned/protected my feet by wearing an inner pair of cotton socks.

    I can wear my normal set up easily for a couple of games. But these extended days are different.

    What do you 'guys' do/suggest for these marathon duties? I am considering buying an all black walking shoe for days like I had Saturday (90's, hard/dry ground). I'll also remember this coming weekend to have a pair of inner socks on too.
     
  2. ProfZodiac

    ProfZodiac Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jan 17, 2003
    Boston, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don't use turf cleats. Get plastic insoles. Smooth plastic, not that rubber stuff. I haven't had any problems yet.
     
  3. gkeck

    gkeck Member

    Apr 5, 2002
    Southern California
    Take GOOD care of the feet

    You must have a GOOD pair, or several, of shoes. They should have good support. Insoles work well. If you end up with blisters, use Bag Balm. It works really well, over night. If you tend to get blisters in the same place, be sure to treat before games.
     
  4. kevbrunton

    kevbrunton New Member

    Feb 27, 2001
    Edwardsburg, MI
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You're a teenager -- you don't have the wear and tear that us 40 somethings have yet.

    The problem is that soccer shoes are made to be lightweight and give players the feel that they need for the ball. As referees, we need support and cushioning. We're not looking for touch on the ball. So using soccer shoes for refereeing isn't the best tact to take.

    I have had good luck with american football shoes. I went to East Bay and got a pair of coaching shoes. They have much thicker soles than soccer shoes and they have little nubbins for traction. They are smaller than turf shoes and it's not adequate for real wet fields, so you'll still need cleats. But for those hard fields where you're on your feet all day, they're great.
     
  5. Scott Zawadzki

    Feb 18, 1999
    Midlothian, VA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don't wanna mess with my feet!

    Ummm...before I go and do something really stupid to my feet...are you talking about the same Bag Balm that is used to treat cattle????

    Scott
     
  6. IASocFan

    IASocFan Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 13, 2000
    IOWA
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Don't wanna mess with my feet!

    It's the same stuff. Petroleum jelly also works for me. Also useful for the chaffing I sometimes get on my inner thighs.
     
  7. pkCrouse

    pkCrouse New Member

    Apr 15, 2002
    Pennsylvania
    Didn't someone post a comment a few weeks ago about using duct tape across the ball of the foot to prevent blisters? He swore it works. I hope so, because imagine the pain of pulling it off if it didn't!
     
  8. gildarkevin

    gildarkevin Member

    Aug 26, 2002
    Washington, DC
    Funny, I've always remarked to people that I'm never really tired (at least not in the legs) after doing 3 or even 4 games in a single day, but my feet always hurt just from standing on them so long.

    The inner socks are absolutely key.

    But you may want to change your shoe selection entirely. As referees, we're often just running (even jogging) a lot, forward and back, so it's not as important to have absolute traction for quick left and right cuts like a player does. The need for molded boots is minimal. I used to wear turf shoes but have found those to be lacking support as well. What I've eventually settled on are pair of black Nike Air Max that are listed as soccer training shoes, but really are nothing more than a running shoe. They provide the comfort over a long day that works best for me.

    I think most companies have some kind of hybrid trainer, running shoe like this now (I think one of the first was Adidas -- I remember a tv commercial with Alexi Lalas). It won't work very well on the really wet days, but those are easier on the pounding of the feet anyway; these running shoes work very well on hard fields.
     
  9. Keep

    Keep New Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Re: Re: Don't wanna mess with my feet!

    Underarmour all the way. I can't even jog anymore without the sliders--I chap like a ...well like I don't know what, but I get chapped legs really bad if I don't wear the underarmour! ;-)
     
  10. kevbrunton

    kevbrunton New Member

    Feb 27, 2001
    Edwardsburg, MI
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree with this for a center, but not for an AR. As a center, the only time I've had a traction problem was when it was raining hard on a terrible field that had very little grass thru the middle and it was clay dirt. It was like trying to run on ice.

    However, as an AR, I have slipped many times starting and stopping as you are sprinting up and down the line. That's actually where cleats are probably more important.

    One other note that I have found helpful -- if you are doing a number of games, get your feet out of your shoes between games. Get a pair of those adidas sandals to let your feet breath and relax between games.

    I never had a problem with chaffing, but I love the Under Armour stuff -- shorts and shirt.
     
  11. gkeck

    gkeck Member

    Apr 5, 2002
    Southern California
    Re: Don't wanna mess with my feet!

    Yep...and it is great to prevent chafing...one of the green cans will last for years...maybe forever...
     
  12. billf

    billf Member+

    May 22, 2001
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm going to second the Bag Balm. The stuff is great and I keep a tin in my bag. I also use the stuff on my eyebrows to keep sunblock out of my eyes.
     
  13. Grizzlierbear

    Grizzlierbear New Member

    Jul 18, 2001
    canada no it is not
    Treat the feet

    Multiple games wear multiple socks. Wear new ones each match. Pat feet dry never rub, use foor powder after cool water bath and air dry and a gel pack inside sole can be good but I will not wear cleats or soccerboots to referee in. Ensure feet are completely dry before changing into a new pair of socks. I have several pairs of adidas track runners that are excellent and I do them up nice and snug while running. Let them air and use a odour and mosture absorber in them. I also have a foot massager the wooden rollers does stimulate blood flow and feels good but again only if feet are dry not sweaty or wet. I have stupidly done up to eight matches in a day less likely to do so again. I switch ALL clothes after sweating for two straight especially the undergarments as others mentioned to prevent the crotch or nipple area from being rubbed raw. Besides salt encrusted black jerseys look foolish.;o)

    There is a different approach if the field is wet and cold instead of hot and sweaty as the feet are likely to be extra wet from the moisture as well as the sweat. You simply must do what you can to remove moisture and keep the shoes tightly laced and completely dry your feet inbetween matches. Socks changed after each match and alternate shoes while the others dry. In cold weather or rainy weather layered underclothing and staying warm is crucial. You must dry out and warm yourself to prevent the cramping as much as the water intake. Extra clothing is vital.

    Once you blister or are rubbed raw rest is the best cure. Yet shinsplints, bad ankles and wonky knees many referees continue until they injure themselves simply not a good idea.

    As referee assignor to several tournaments recently I try to give out 2 middle 2 AR to any one referee as the maximum load of 4 in one day.
     
  14. david58

    david58 New Member

    Aug 29, 2003
    Oregon
    referee foot care - shoes

    As an older referee (45 on paper, much older in the knees), I have had the challenge of having my feet survive the tournament grind. This past summer at ODP camp I noticed a National ref wearing running shoes in the matches he reffed - he stated that he wears them for both professional and youth matches on hard ground. As the summer progressed, I noticed a large number of fellow refs changing to running shoes. Adidas is making a black shoe (I think one of the climacool trail shoes), New Balance has just come out with a black trail shoe, and I bought the Asics Gel Trabuco. With some shoe polish and sole blacking, I have some very nice hard ground shoes for when I center - the cushioning is heavenly compared to soccer boots. You give up the lateral stability in the forefoot that a soccer shoe provides, so maybe they arent so good for high level AR duty. But it has been a pleasure to come home with at least my feet not hurting. Also found that the now popular foldup chairs are really nice - got one with a foot rest for Father's day, and being able to sit with my feet up between matches has made a difference too.
     
  15. AAGunner3

    AAGunner3 Member

    Feb 14, 2002
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks guys for your opinions...

    Did 3 games yesterday in the Atlanta Kohl's Cup. The easiest/cheapest quick fix was wearing a pair of inner socks that I replaced after my 2nd match. I could immediately tell the difference once I put on those dry socks.

    Now, I begin the hunt for my ref/running shoes.

    and in regards to your Under Armour... what line do you guys use (and why)? I was perusing their website and they have a heat line, a tactical line and others... Do you suggest the compression short? Blah blah blah........ ?
     
  16. kevbrunton

    kevbrunton New Member

    Feb 27, 2001
    Edwardsburg, MI
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have both the heat gear and the cold gear. The cold gear REALLY holds in the heat though, so you only want that when it's really cold -- like below 45 or below 50 and windy or below 55 AND rainy/windy.

    I use the compression short as well.

    I have a couple pairs of the shorts and a couple heat gear shirts. After 2 games, I change them. They evaporate the sweat so well (which is why they help keep you cooler) that they wind up getting salty and the salt starts to rub. So after 2 games, I change into clean under armour.
     
  17. ChickRef

    ChickRef New Member

    May 28, 2003
    SuperFeet.

    Seriously, they will save your feet and your legs. They cost $30 a pair, but if you buy shoes with removable inserts, you can switch them around in all your shoes, and you will be glad you shelled out less than one match fee!

    www.superfeet.com
     

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