HS Circus

Suggest you report the problems to your state HS administration. www.ahsaa.com. Be professional. Be persistant.

 

In the NFHS rule book there is a graphic reference to the B&W stripped shirt, and I know for a fact this is what they wear in PA. and possibly other locales? Wearing the OSI USSF jersey is pretty much adopted by all states.

NFHS, (national HS) is going to what they call the "double dual." It is a improved but modified version of the DSC, which is kind of like giving the ARs whistles, equal power, and putting them on the field. THey still assume their traditional duties of the AR, but take the lead in fouls and misconduct in their respective areas. THere is no center official or official like the CR. All officials are equal in authority, however there is a designated head official, still referred to as the CR, who will be designated to resolve any disputes and make a final decision if necessary; which it seldom is. In fact NFHS has suggested the officials "rotate" positions, something like basketball, to reinforce this notion of equality in position and authority.

In Colorado we went from 20% use to about 70% use in one season, and am strictly using this double dual or "three whistle" (3W) system for playoffs. Many states are following suit. Speculation has NFHS adopting it nationally in a year or two. My speculation, though offensive to most, is USSF will start using it in about 5-7 years, and FIFA in about 10+. But enough inciting the purists. . .

The triple display of cautions for one recorded caution might have been instinctive for a very obvious act, but strange never the less. Not very procedural.

 

I dont agree that the national move is to do the double dual. I wonder what the big city programs are using? I have heard no talk of this in michigan ..........and we were one of the firsts on board with the hand signals thing.
If NFHS does mandate this system, I hope that i am in an area that has plenty of USSF so I wont have to deal with it.

 

High school soccer does not feel they need to follow FIFA. Therefore, they modified the laws of the game as they saw fit. Technically, FIFA could sanction, but they don't because it only affects high school and the LOTG are not modifed for our domestic professional and amateur leagues. If the MLS adopted the DD, then FIFA would probably impose sanctions. Do note the USSF was allowed to experiment with two referee, two asistant referee system about 2-3 years ago. The experiment was abandoned.

 

Keith,

My first referee jersey was the zebra shirt. That was the style of the day for rec and schoolboy soccer where I lived in New York thirty three years ago. The higher level refs who did the college, club and ethnic leagues had a selection of jerseys usually black, white and grey in addition to the zebra.

On the issue of the double dual and three whistle system, I am not so sure that we are necessarily going to see substantive changes as a result of anything the NFHS does. This is because, unlike USSF, FIFA or AYSO, NFHS is not a sanctioning body, but rather a provider of rules and standards which are then adopted in whole or in part by the various school associations and local/state referee associations and boards.

It is for this reason that the NFHS Rule Book covers all of the recommended officiating mechanics: Dual, DSC and Double Dual. It is not for them to specify which is to be used. This is up to those who are sanctioning the specific competition. For example, here in MA, MIAA affiliated schools, the majority of public schools, request the dual for all regular season matches, and set the pay scales we charge. MIAA post season play-offs, however, change to the DSC.

ISL in MA also has adopted the NFHS rules, while sometimes requesting a dual, often have only single middles at the varsity level, even though the level of competition can be much higher than public high schools. Then again, they also use the DSC. Sometimes you don't know what you will be doing until you get there.

I have never worked the three whistle or double dual, myself, but I figure that as long as everyone knows what they are doing, then it shouldn't be a problem. If you don't, no system or mechanic is going to make up for poor officiating. When you are working with a good parter, the dual system can be excellent, and a good crew for the DSC is a true pleasure.

Sherman

 

Alberto,

Actually, while a school or association could adopt or follow the FIFA Laws of the Game, it could not be sactioned by USSF or FIFA because high school sports are a school activity and can only be sanctioned by the school. We as referees are hired as independent contractors to administer the policies and rules adopted by the schools and under whose sactions the game is played.

Many of the differences between USSF and NFHS are specifically due to this. In a USSF match it is we who represent the sanctioning body, and only the players who have status. In NFHS, the coach also has status. This is why we can caution or eject a coach and show them the appropriate card. In MA, that ends the match right there, though this is not the case in other states. We also have silly rules like mouthguards, etc. but, for example, we do not have a senior or head official in our dual system.

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense... sort of.

 

First let me say I apologize for bringing this issue up, because some like Alberto, who I respect, will be personally offended by anything that is untraditional to FIFA soccer, whether it be modified rules or a modified system of officiating. I made this "speculation" because I do believe even something as world-affected and tradtional as USSF/FIFA soccer, eventually will come around. I am a major proponent of this three-whistle (3W) or double-dual system, because I feel it immensely improves the system of officiating and is long over due. But let's not get into a squabble or comparison of the two systems, because as I've learned on other forums where this happens, most people, particularly those who feel something slipping away from them, become very angry.

But a few comments if not a reality check of sorts.. .
USSF sanctioned soccer through out the US has used the dual system which is in direction violation of USSF policy. It states only the "dual system of control" (DSC) can be used in USSF sanctioned matches. In fact on your USSF registartion form under game count, you can count high school games, but only those where the DSC is used. Many USSF leagues use the dual because of the shortage of referees or the shortage of $. This is also true for many states for high school. We only use the dual in sub-varsity matches, and I've used it for over 16 years; and love it. I'm still learning the ins and outs of the 3W system, but it's working great, IMO.

Also, lets not get into bashing high school, unless you want me on your back . I love high school soccer, not just because it's rule modifications make for a more enjoyable game and an easier one to officiate, but I think the competition is keener, and more in the spirit of American sports. Also putting it down, puts down the millions of participants. . . playes, coaches, team staff, referees, parents, administrators, students and fans. . . who feel otherwise about high school soccer. It also sisters into college soccer, another "modificatin" of USSF/FIFA laws. Virtually all our national team players played this form of ball, and it didn't seem to hurt their abilities, so let's not get into high school/college bashing.

That said, those who feel offended by the dual or 3-whistle system of officiating, I suggest, stay away, and let the rest try and enjoy. Same with high school soccer. There are levels and "formats" of soccer I choose not to officiate for personal reasons, but I don't feel the need to criticize this flavor of soccer to justify my decision or offend others who choose otherwise.

 

Ummm, I was at a number of girls hs games in michigan last year and they were using the three whistle system.

As for the system in general, I don't like it that much. It leads to more problems than it solves, such as complaints about whose "area" the foul was in. I think many people understand the AR signaling fouls with the flag and the relationship with the ref they have. And as for authority, I think they have almost the same authority, IF PROPER PLANNING AND COMMUNICATION ARE USED. Too many times CR's say things like, "Give me the box," or "I don't need help on such and such." Yes, you do need help, and AR's should call what they see anywhere on the field. If the ref really, truely doesn't think something was a foul, and he was in better position, wave it down, but never deny help if it's offered.

BTW, hand signals have no place in soccer. Just thought I'ed jump on the soapbox there.

 

Keith,

You may have checked your reality at the door.

Only USSF sanctioned games may be applied to your game count. Check your Administrative Handbook or with your SRA. Further this is not a state association policy but Chicago, so it applies to all of use here in the US. What may be confusing you is that high school and college matches are not considered unaffiated matches, irrespective of how they are officiated, so it does not count against you no matter how many you do, which is not the case for unaffiliated, which many administrators frown upon.

As for the dual in USSF affiliated, I cannot speak for your state, however in MA, it is not done in the travel and premier level to my knowlege at all, but I am aware of some in-town rec programs where it is done, not so much for the money issue, but because of the limited number of available officials who often work seven or eight games in a row. The major difficulty they face, once they park themselves on a side, is trying to avoid getting too much sun on one side. The other is that they have to move their feet to avoid the grass growing up through the soles of their shoes and anchoring them down to that spot for the rest of the season.

There is one particular ref in a neighboring town who has been working duals for the in-town program for decades. Last summer, on the way to do a play-off match at an adjacent field I spotted him and his partner doing their town league. It was obvious he was set for the day. He had on one of these Jungle Jim pith helmets like you sometimes see lifeguards wearing, dark glasses, thermos hanging from a strap, and his cell phone on his belt. All that was missing was a lawn chair.

 

Keith, DSC stands for Diagonal System of Control.