This has been bothering me for awhile. And I don't know what to do. I'm not talking about working with young, new assistants. That I know how to handle. I'm talking about adults doing higher level youth games who are absolutely mailing it in or haven't a clue as to what a proper signal is or even OS. We get paid pretty well at the higher level, older youth leagues in my area. (I got 50 on the line Wednesday and 90 in the middle today.). Those are pretty damn good numbers. At those prices, I would expect the referee to arrive with all the colors. (And in good shape...shirts, not referee!). Twice recently, I couldn't wear what I wanted to in the middle because one of the guys didn't have the color. (I know not a big deal, but a lot of times these clubs have full uniforms for their 'keepers, and I try not to have them change in a conflict.) I would also expect that the guy get to the end line, raise the flag with the proper hand, cover the entire touch line on ball in/out, and use the correct signals. I had a guy (who told me pre-game he only does high level games now!) wiggle the flag on ball in/out, and I thought he had a foul so I was setting up for a free kick, but he yelled to me it was a throw in. He clearly missed 3 OS calls in the first half on transitional plays. His partner used his left hand across his body to signal corner. I waved this guy down on an OS that was a thru ball to the 'keeper, but kept his flag up instead. After the game, he told me the player was in OSP when ball was played to the 'keeper so it was the "right thing to do." He also raised his Flag on a shot from distance that wasn't within 15 yards of the player who was in an OSP. And he told me pre-game that he was "up on the latest OS stuff). He might have meant up on the stuff before the great re-write. These two guys (and another who couldn't keep up) should not be doing these matches. These are highly skilled teams just a notch below development level. They deserve better. Now, what should I do? We discussed some things at the half , but is it my job to re-educate them? Or is it my job to not have them do this level. I have a feeling no amount of talking them thru it will help. Thank God neither match had crucial errors in it, but it's an accident waiting to happen. And I spent a good part of the match with my head on a swivel. Sorry to vent, but I think we have all had similar matches with untrustworthy AR's.
The assignor made you the CR, the leader of the team. Do your job. In your pre-game, with ARs you aren't familiar with, let them know your expectations. My pre-game starts "Follow the ball to the goal line, because that's where goals are scored and that's how we decide who wins the game." Yes, it's a bit trite, but I'm trying to make the point that the goal line is very important, so get there! (aside, yes, I understand we don't decide who wins or loses) And will all of the noise about Law 11 recently, I always always take time to discuss when I'd like a flag and when not, and when I want the flag to go down even if it came up correctly. If there's something the AR is doing in the first half that you'd like him to adjust, talk to him about it. Say, "Hey, here's what I want you do do today. The GTP says that if there is an OSP that doesn't touch the ball but may have interfered, stand at attention. I'll look at you before signalling a goal, see you at attention, and come talk to you. Don't put your flag up! if you do, I'll have a mess to clean up, which I'm willing to do but I'd rather not if it isn't necessary." After the game, instead of saying "good stuff. Thanks,", say "Good stuff. Thanks. Can I give you some quick feedback? Here are a couple of things you did well. (I don't care how hard you have to dig, find something). Here are a couple of things you might want to think about working on. (limit this to two, or at most three. If you give the guy ten things he did wrong, he won't be able to process any of it.)" If having all five jerseys makes the top three, then the AR did a pretty good job, and mention it. "I know having all of the jerseys is a pain, but this is a pretty high level game, and the customer expects a certain level of professionalism. Consider taking a piece of just today's game fee and invest in a red jersey. It will help us look the part."
Yea. It sucks. There are not enough good refs to go around. I refereed with a scrub today. Division 4 adult league 1) Showed up 4 minutes before kick. 2) Only brought yellow 3) Did not want to be there 4) Out of position throughout the game 5) Terrible mechanics 6) No help I worked with him a year ago and I think he's gotten worse. And he's like 19. Yea it sucks but there's nothing you can really do except recruit guys that you think would be a good referee.
Depending on the background with him and his reason for being late, I would consider letting him know that his services are not needed today. Follow up with the assignor afterwards. As for the OP, this is a tough one that we've weighed in on before. A lot depends on the support system you have with the assignor. If you laughed when you read "support" and "assignor" you might need to take charge of some things on your own. If you have a strong assignor who isn't afraid to met consequences for poor professionalism, drop them a line and let them handle it. As @RefGil stated, you can give yourself the best chance by taking charge from the beginning and setting expectations. The big issue is skill versus will. In @asdf44's situation, you have an AR with very low will. Much harder to work with and likely not to see much change in that match. If you have ARs who are high will but low skill (for example, works hard and open to feedback but makes mistakes) you can spend more time educating and developing. I guess what I'm say is, don't kill yourself if the motivation to change isn't there on the other side; report it to the assignor and move on.
Not sure what you do "in real life" but for me when I am the referee on higher level matches (nothing at all we do pays like what you quoted but still decent money for these games) I treat it like I am the manager at work. It isn't personal, it's business. When you have an employee not performing well hopefully you coach them. Start with the pre-game and especially when you don't know your crew (or if you do know them and have cause for concern) keep it very business like so everyone knows it's serious. Not saying not to have fun but if you set a lackadaisical tone with a new or suspect crew you may get a lackadaisical performance. Listen and watch during your pregame and you will pick up on their level of interest and competency and you have some time to address your concerns (before kick off). If you have one (or two) of the type you describe try to wake them up, even being a bit stern (hopefully not needed but better than starting a match worried about your crew). Let them know this isn't U8 rec and you need their help. Same at half time, but now you have real examples. Pick the most critical and again if needed be the "boss" and let them know "Hey, looked like we had _____ and I thought _____ - what did you see?" Listen to their answer and discuss what you expect/need with a specific game example again if needed be direct/stern. If possible obviously you want to do all this constructively/positively, just wanted to point out that sometimes a stern word is needed and not be reluctant to do so when it is. If it's a lost cause then run your rear off and call the very best match you can, and let someone know (assignor for sure). When doing so treat it like a game report, stick to the facts and not that you are pissed they caused you so much grief (although letting an assignor know in a professional manner this is the case is OK). Of course if you have a great relationship with the assignor and they know and expect feedback you already know how to best convey this.
I agree with camconcay, but just want to inject one warning. PLEASE do not put your feedback about the ARs in your game report. Do a phone call or separate e-mail to the assignor. Game reports can go places that you never expected they would go when you wrote it.
Thank you for the clarification, did not intend to imply this is game report stuff - unless you dismiss one or both then you probably need a game report. I meant treat it LIKE a game report - keep emotions and opinions out. Depending on your assignor relationship (hopefully a good one but sometimes - tournaments etc. - you make not know them well) the AR you are reporting may be their favorite, or who knows.
I wasn't implying that you said to put it in the game report, but I didn't want anyone only doing a casual scan to think that you were. I've read too many game reports where the referee (or AR!) writes something about another member of their crew like "John Jones isn't really up to doing games at this level," on a game where there's been a controversy and the game report may get sent a coach/player/appeal committee.
I did exactly all that stuff in the pre game, especially the part about getting to the goal line. That to me is the number one most important part of the game for a high level AR. And I say that not as a ball chaser, but because for me when I'm on the line getting to the line means I am up with play, even with 2ld or the ball and I can make a match critical decision from my position. I asked both of them their experience level, and dispensed with the obvious in the pre game. But, I did tell them to hold their flags and I did tell them to use their voice if they needed me. As I mentioned, one of the guys told me he was up on the current law 11 applications, and had made such a call the day before. He was nowhere near that good. I guess what im asking is "can these guys be rehabbed, or are they better doing lower level games." The "strictly business" idea is a good one. And the next time this happens to me, that's what I'm going to do. Another thing.....I know my level. I know what I'm capable of doing. Do others not know or care?
9 out of 10 times, you're wasting your time. No one has brought to their attention for years that they're doing something wrong, so they're set in their ways. I know this is not going to be a popular answer, but in my opinion, I wouldn't bother mentioning it to the assignor (no matter how well you may think you may know him), unless asked. You're "questioning authority". There's always a reason these folks are still getting assigned. It's not that the assignor is unaware of their ability as they would be a newbie Grade 8 teen.
You as an experienced referee are best able to tell. Your options are not mutually exclusive though, rehabbed or helped to improve will likely involve lower level games. Yeah, some are oblivious, most know, some don't care. Talking and listening and watching them will give you a clue. When I am having a terrible game at any position I usually know it, and will communicate with the crew. I can honestly say lack of hustle is never the issue for me, but sometimes, well, you just have a bad game. Apathetic behavior is seldom present in a referee that is trying, or as you asked earlier worth investing time and effort to help. Remember they may be having that "bad game" but if addressed the reaction should tell you what you need to know.
Exactly why IMO it is important to talk about it to them. Granted as you say you may run into a brick wall, so be it. But, if you don't say anything and no one says anything then passing on a problem is the worst answer imaginable. Maybe they don't know as no one has pointed this out, maybe they do and don't care - either way you are non the worse for doing the right thing.
I'd bet the assignor knows about these guys, put them on with you 'cause he knows you'll get through ok even with them... But that's the whole thing, root problem, right? Lack of insight, introspection. They think they are good when they don't even have the basics down. It's not just that they don't know, it's also that they don't know what they don't know- how do you teach that?
At 40+ years old, some mistake me for an "old timer." But I first got my certification last July. I hope I get constructive criticism and full pregame instruction. A few times I got "we are all professionals, you know what to do." On some things, I may not. So please, if you see me doing something consistently wrong as an AR, let me know at half. Don't assume I am way past saving because I have snow on the roof.
A few readings of the OP had me dig into the archives relating to (i) learning how to live with stress, (ii) teamwork, and coping strategies be they may, avoidance, or coping. The major stressful factors in officiating have been studied, read up on SOSS or CEAF or BOSSI, here are two publications to start - http://bit.ly/1xuiJHZ and http://bit.ly/1BFGAQc The OP's stress may be due to working with team with limitations (inexperience, uncooperative, over-confident, ...) which has been studied and analysed (above publications). Broadly, these fall into lack of support from referee staff, from 'colleagues' and attitude of colleagues toward refereeing. Of all the factors, there is one controllable, which is adequately covered within responses in this thread - one's own performance. Everything else, just as players and teams practice, falls under the category of "relaxed readiness." Officiating without mistakes Consequences of own error Difficulty in officiating adequately well Making technical error These can be controlled, one method is using - approach-coping that involves concentrating harder providing support / covering extra ground and patrolling paths talking with and inspiring team member(s) invoking the team ethic while avoidance-coping will be something like getting on with the job feeling empathy toward team member(s) feeling embarrassed with team member(s) feeling apathy toward team members The first step would be to find out the coping style, and then fine tune coping strategies. As has been adequately written in these threads, a style which suits one may be as useful as an inflatable dartboard to another. By using approach-coping style, a state of relaxed readiness is achiveable. Being the leader with crew member(s) that have limitations means there is a slightly higher risk of failure. For rehabbing, well, that, is an additional stressor, and better to use avoidance method. Why increase a stressor's intensity. Most referees use avoidance-coping with spectator and abusive crowds, right? Ditto. This is adaptive coping, the same way most referees tolerate emotional outburst. However, if there is a possibility of changing the low-control situation, like picking teammates, well, then, that approach may require being in the "what is the colour of the book" that the assignors keep? That one. - or - to be(come) that assignor (and take up an entirely different set of stressors). Remember though, since officials, esp the one in the middle, are one additional source of stress for players (and coaches), a less stressed referee may also reduce player stress. As directed to the life of a referee in another thread, it's a hope to have twenty-two handshakes at the end, before stepping in the middle of a fray.
Do you still let the teams pay him? What do you tell the teams that paid for three referees, and are only getting two? Do you refuse to pay him, and give the teams back his share of the fees? What do you tell the assignor when he asks why you re-assigned the game he made the effort to assign?
As I said in the rest of my post, a lot of that depends on your assignor and local policies. I wouldn't say your first choice should be to dismiss an AR. As to your questions, what is your policy when a member of the crew doesn't show up? That should be your approach as far as pay and questions from the teams. As to what you tell your assignor, I would simply state the facts. This is again assuming that the local policy is that referees must show up XX before kick-off. In one of our local leagues, you have to show up at least 15 minutes before kick-off or you forfeit your assignment. Exceptions are made, of course, for things like a traffic incident or another game running over. Point is, in this league if you showed up minutes for the game started with no good excuse, the assignor would be in support of you being dismissed by the CR. Finally, I feel for any referees having to collect game fees from teams. I know the reasons why, I just think it is awkward and there are much better ways of doing that (never mind the fact that the league doesn't have a good mechanism for tracking who gets paid what, which is just, you know, needed for proper accounting and all).
I recently had the pleasure of working with a referee who is probably in his 30s. He knows the game, he's been a referee for high school for 5 years. Here's the trick, though - this was his first ever game in the FIFA system, 3-man system. High school here does dual whistle or three whistles, no AR's. He really hardly knew any of the mechanics and I basically had to teach him what to do on the line. It was a U-11 girls state cup game, so that's the place to learn. But even though I am young and grade 8 and relatively inexperienced (4 years under my belt but no higher than a few U-17 games, mostly U-15 and lower at local level), I'd never have a pregame consisting of "you know what to do." It only comes anywhere near this if I know both referees and we are doing a U-11 game with a 3 man system on a short field with 8v8, where there is often literally NOTHING to do
That works. Over here, we start on time without the missing ref. He can jump on the game late, but only as an AR; if he was scheduled as R, he lost his spot (and his R pay). We refund the coaches if there is a missing ref. If he shows up, he gets paid. But the "not showing up" policy doesn't really apply here, because this ref did, in fact, show up. You just don't want him there. "Coach, we are using the policy that we normally use when a referee doesn't show up" isn't really going to work when the other guy is standing right there (what, you think he's just going to walk away?). That's why I asked the questions, because if you're dismissing an AR before the game, you're either taking money away from him (by refunding the coaches) or taking money away from the coaches (by paying someone to go home). At any rate, you're going over the assignor's head by re-assigning the game. Perhaps the assignor scheduled this ref with you for a reason, and wants him to get the experience. Or perhaps this ref is the assignor's son-in-law/friend/work colleague, and only registered as a referee to provide an extra body for his friend. Now you have a different problem!
Not trying to be a complete jerk but.....sometimes , and I do mean RARELY, a mild roasting is in order. Go to a quiet spot where you can't be overheard and TELL the guy, (girl) what is really expected of them at a higher level. If the AR'S are getting 50 bucks to work a youth game, well, you had better be up for it. I got this done to me once upon a time (for being a slacker in an adult match) No yelling, but I got told in no certain terms that as an official of U.S. Soccer I represented ALL referees and not just myself. Better was not expected, it is required and demanded. It woke me up and made me a better ref.