A local assignor keeps sending out emails telling center referees that they are supposed to leave the center circle during the game.
Laugh it up guys. I actually have a doctor's note saying I'm a lot less likely to pull a hamstring ambling around that circle than "sprinting" up and down that darn touch line.
I'll have to remember that the next time I am assigned a center on a full size field. Just have to make sure I have great ARs!
"Hey guys, I'll cover the center Circle. If I'm out of position, back me up. Let's have fun out there."
I'm doing the online modules ahead of my Grade 8 in-person session, and I find some of the wording rather odd. The intro module I watched is a five-minute warning that "competitive" players may be more likely to talk back than "recreational" players. I'm not expecting to do "competitive" youth soccer. But in DC/Virginia, I didn't see any option for taking a Grade 9 course, and their qualification chart says no game experience or prior training is required before training for Grade 8. Is there no real difference between Grade 9 and Grade 8? I won't be going any farther. You wouldn't want to see me attempt the Grade 7 fitness test.
I believe Grade 9 is for younger youth games (and younger referees). I think Grade 9 refs are eligible to ref U12 and below or AR youth games. South Texas is implementing Grade 9 as a young kid referee grade, 11 and 12 years old at the time of certification. Grade 8 will be for entry level refs of all ages and any referees over 12 but under 18. Technically Grade 8 refs are not supposed to do adult games.
Grade 9 is for very young kids who might want to get into reffing, but are not old enough for an 8. Grade 8 is the true entry level ref position. CT has not had formal grade 9 ref certification in the 10 yrs I have been a ref. I remember when I started reffing. Did a U10 rec AR. Could not believe how much harder it was then I thought it would be. So much more to look for and think about then as a player or coach. 10 years later, I ref adult latino league and college club and love it. Never bothered with getting the grade 7 because I don't need it. Did 170 games last year and on track to beat that this year. Getting paid to exercise is the greatest thing ever!!! Getting paid to assign ain't too shabby either. Wish I got into this racket before I was 47
No kidding. My very first assignment as a (27-year-old) Grade 8 was a CR for a Men's Open game the next day. I had to panic-email my assignor to get switched to AR2 because I had no business with a whistle for that game.
Oregon does the grade 9 course only at the request of rec clubs in the more remote parts of the state. Something like four hours, all on the field, and the kids get a badge, so they can do the even smaller kids games. At least they've got insurance and can be assigned to the games. We don't offer grade 9 in the more populated areas because that's an attempt by the rec clubs to trap "their" referees so they can only do their club's games. A grade 8 with, say, a year's experience doing rec, is going to get lured away by more money on the competitive youth games.
PA-West eliminated Grade 9 about 5 years ago because apparently some were getting assigned inappropriately, i.e. Competitive centers. It was a great stepping stone or terminal niche, depending on the kid. Discontinuation put a dent in our new numbers since the G9 class was shorter/cheaper. So now the newbies I get are harder to come by and more valuable to retain.
All the best. I know plenty of people who got into officiating late in their career like mid 50s and 1 gentlemen in his 60s.
DC/Virginia had grades 9s, but they've basically discontinued it. I think they may still do a grade 9 individually if the situation warrants it, but basically it's non-existent. Good luck! I know a good amount of people in your area. If you need anything, let me know.
I couldn't agree more!!! The predictability of a higher skilled match makes officiating easier, in many ways. The older and more skilled the players there is the certainty that you'll deal with personality challenges or authority challenges, but at least the play is predictable. It just means being in a better position to see and assess. Also, below U10 every out of bounds seems to clang off of three or four players in a completely random fashion, to the point where if feels like you're almost better off using an "alternate possession" type mindset. I'm being facetious, obviously, but it definitely feels like it some times.
Video feedback on how the students/refs carry themselves and speak. In law school I had a number of classes/workshops that involved being recorded giving an argument so that I could see what I looked and sounded like, and it was extremely helpful. So many refs I work with have no idea what they look like on the field...