Up until now, I've only worked large youth tournaments for one particular assignor. This weekend I've been working a very large tournament for a different assignor. These two assignors assign their tournaments in very different manners. The assignor I've worked for the most has a very distinct pattern in the way she assigns tournament games. She'll group three referees together on a field for a time block, two of whom she uses in the middle, and those two will alternate center/AR1 while the third referee will take AR2 on each game. Obviously, this doesn't work the whole way through, but this is the general pattern for probably 90% of the tournament. The assignor for the tournament this weekend knows whom she wants in the center and many of these referees who are used the middle will go the entire tournament without doing a single line. Notably, a big difference with this assignor is that she has seemingly countless numbers of high-school-aged kids to run the lines, whereas the assignor I work for the most has significantly fewer of these types. Until this weekend, I just figured the way the first assignor does it was the norm. Apparently not. I'm curious as to how the assignors you guys work for assign their tournaments.
I was mulling over the assignment I received (and accepted) for a weekend tourney, and it appeared to me you described the scenario here! Two assigners, same MO as yours. Strange! These chappies must be cut from the same mould. There is one noticeable aspect though - the referee team on the same "shift" ostensibly have seniority rank given by the assigner, and there is no way of finding how this rank was calculated. What one would find with such a referee team is that the centre is someone who is a perpetual USSF 8 (10+ years) doing youth matches paired up with a USSF 7 who is likely upgrading to USSF 6, and a teenager who is just thrilled to be patrolling the AR2 line. [I do not work for any assignors, however I know what you mean.]
Almost all of the tournaments I work use 3-person crews where everyone gets two lines and a center. The "fancy" local tournaments use 4-person crews where you get a 4th after your center.
Those sound much too organized. I usually tell the assignor when I'm available, and I get assigned those time slots (usually two or three). The assignments are usually the best fit for what she/he has available. It's usually on the same field - about half the time with the same crew. When I was coaching and refereeing, I usually scheduled games after or (less frequently) before my own.
Could be worse. I once did a tournament where the assignor put a group of 6 referees together for the weekend and let them figure out who was doing what for each match. Each referee earned the same amount irregardless of the number of games they did. Was a nightmare. Being that I was a 24 yr old grade 5 and the rest of the crew were 40+ age men who wanted to be lazy or head to Vegas the night before, I got to do most of the games and more centers than lines. Enjoyed the experience, but hated the way it was set up. Needless to say, I didn't work for that assignor upon returning home.
That is a shame that you had a bad experience with that system. I have worked tournaments with the same set up where the assignor knows my 'crew' is bringing 6 people and lets us assign the specific games ourselves. Same principle, we all get an equal share of money regardless of assignments. I will point out the key difference is that we all know each other and work well to make sure things are equitable for the assignments. I love working this way. Shame your experience was not the same.
I can see the benefits of the system. I know these refs and do mind working with them occasionally, but they aren't the types to work hard during a match. One day I ended up participating in all games but one, and I only got that one off the field because I refused to do the game because I wanted/needed to eat lunch.
Around here the preferred method is for a 4-man crew to work one field for the entire day. Usually each field is scheduled for 8 games in 1.25 hour increments, beginning at 7:30 or 8:00 AM. Positions rotate such that everyone gets 2 mids, 4 lines, and 2 games off. This system ensures equal pay and equal games, but really stinks if you are the 1st or 4th person off...you end up doing 6 out of 7 games. Some assignors will even appoint "crew chiefs" who are then responsible for finding their own crewmates. It's a nice way for a group of referee friends to have fun working a weekend together.
That assumes you are available and fit enough to work an entire day. I haven't done more than 4 games a day in years - and that was two U14G lines, U12 and U19 centers.
I would assume the tourney you're referring to, or one of them anyway, is the Warrior Classic? I did it two years ago with 3 other guys and we rotated this way. Loved it. It helped that they were all 5s around my age. 2011 the scheduling was not as simple and worked with a "tournament referee" who apparently only worked tourneys and some mish-mash games where guys were thrown onto the games. The first system was much better and more enjoyable, however, with a tournament that big I can understand how hard it is to assign.
I saw a number of styles. The most common was three to a field all day. Some were more particular about who centered certain games because they want someone they trust. Often, I saw assignors who would make you earn better assignments. I thought that was fine and normal, particularly when the assignor already has a large cadre of trusted referees. With anything, the important thing is to not read too much into anything the first time you work for someone. You can't really expect someone to know you. After a tournament or two, you figure out who is worth working for. Personally, I preferred working for people who understood the physical limitations of the human body. I think there are too many assignors who treat referees like equipment.
When I use to officiate a lot of tournaments this was the preferred method of assigning. Four man crew on one or two fields usually located right next to each other and games from 7:30 or 8:00 till 3:30 or 4:00 pm. If you needed to get out earlier you would advise the assignor of your availability beforehand.
After doing a number of tournaments across the country over the past 5 years, I am happy to say that I must work for the some of the best assignors around. In short, I see tournaments as the best opportunity to learn and share knowledge. Best arrangement is with 3 officials sharing and swapping positions. Whether I am the senior on the most competitive game or AR2 on a lesser game, I have the opportunity to learn from the other officials and share some wisdom learn from other past games. Tournaments, as far as I am concerned, for experimenting and for professional growth opportunities. These are opportunities for taking risks and for trying out game management strategies that may be too radical for a state final or semi-final game. I am happy to see a youngen on a line of a first game of three in a tournament. Hopefully he will see things in the first two games that will help him in his chance at having the whistle in the third game. IMO this is how growth takes place and how seniors/experienced referees give back to the game. I'm off my soapbox. Cheers and happy mentoring to all.
The crew system is fine IF the assignor recognizes that there are physical limits to how many games a referee can do in a day AND that everyone is at the same level. I was mentoring at a tournament this weekend and a 20-something guy tells me that this is his first game, ever! Not somebody that should be in the center on U-14's, not even later in the day. For his own protection. I very distinctly remember a tournament where my daughter, my son and I were assigned to an outlying field. July 10, 1999. [What else happened that day? ] We were the referees for that field for that day. All day. Marlene and I traded off the centers and my son was on the line for every game. I think we did six full length games that day. You've done too many games when you aren't sure if this is the first half or the second half. "Oh, they're cheering, so that must have been the second half." We then went to the headquarters site to get paid, their printer wouldn't work so we didn't get paid and then we got to drive two hours home. Not a fun experience and the tournament has since folded.
This is a typical rotation for the Dayton and Cinncy tournaments, especially U14 and below. If you can't do a full set of 6 over 8 then the assignor will give you half and someone else half. I like it because even in a day or a weekend if I get one or two of the same guys on both days we build a rapport in that time and the reffing gets easier because you understand each other's styles. I had a tournament that went so well in that method that we all exchanged emails so we could do it again with 1 from WV, 2 from OH-S, and 1 from KY. I think, although I can't prove, that teams get slightly better assignments around here. I don't know that it's bias. It's just as likely that the refs that sign up in teams are more likely the more experienced group of refs and it's just difficult to crack into the older age group. As-to the 'tournament referee' Dayton charges to use the assigning system. That gets you access to all 'select' youth and HS games from Springboro to Wapakoneta. Some refs choose not to do that because they aren't HS and don't care to ref during the week. With the proximity of Cinncy and Columbus, for the whole spring and fall seasons there is at least a tournament per week within an hour drive.
I agree will billf. Find an assignor/tournament who treats your right. Local tournaments for me is three referees and we rotate through CR, AR, AR. Maybe we get another set after a 2-4 game break. Tournament number 1 had me appear at referee tent for assignment, we had to return after every game to get the next assignment. Serious referee shortage at this one and I wind up doing too many games in two days (like 16 centers) . Tournament number 2 - assignor has us show up at 7AM to get assignments (games started at 8AM, 5 referee assigned to a field and we are expected to be there until 7PM). We have to work out our own schedules and local referee tells us he want to do 4 games in a row and be home for lunch. Bull, you're staying late today. I will not return to either tournament because of the scheduling. I did tournament last week where I worked from 10AM until 7PM. Assignor gave me late start since I traveled further than many, which was a bonus for me. Game on, game off, game on, game off. Seemed strange but temperature wound up in the 90's and I was thankful for the breaks. He understand the physical limitations but some wanted to do all the games with no breaks. I get grief for this, but tournaments need to provide water to referees at fields. I can't carry enough water with me to cover a four game shift when it is 90 degrees out.
So crew chiefs gets the assigning fee, yes? I've found a fair degree of variance in how assignors assign games over the years. I will say that I have some clear favorites in my area. Also, the quality of assigning will impact my travel choices. I've done a little bit of assigning (smaller tournaments, less than twenty referees) and I'll say that its not an easy job. Even after you get all the pieces in place, someone always backs out at the last minute or gets injured/sick/ingrown toe nail. For me, a good assignor does their best to group referees in "teams" and rotate positions. Also, when you're at a large complex (~20 fields) it is very much appreciated to not have to run to fields between games. One of our local assignors is notorious for never putting you on the same field twice. Once, the entire referee crew moved half way across the complex for the next game. I thought, well, maybe it was to avoid doing the same team twice. Next game, it was the team we had just done at 9am. Sigh.
Perhaps he is of the "get out of Dodge" school, and thinks he's doing a favor by not trapping the refs on the field?
Not to my knowledge...but he does get the benefit of knowing who he's working with and the assignor has peace of mind knowing that the field is filled competently. Here in Cincy there are several crews of career 7-8's that can be seen at most of the local tourneys - most of which are assigned by the same 2-3 guys. They tend to know their crews and use us on the middle age groups knowing that chances are we won't screw up and cause problems. U17-19 and finals go to States and 7-8s on the way up. Younger groups go to high school kids and newer adult refs to get them the experience...and most importantly to the HS kids, the cash.
I wish it were that, but past experience has shown that there is really no intellect power dedicated to the decision. In fact, I once thanked him for putting me on fields in the same area back to back throughout the day and the blank stare I got back confirmed that this occurrence was, in fact, just a happy coincident. It's tragic, but so it goes.
I'm doing a 3v3 this weekend, and even though it's one man, the assignor also uses time slots. He gives each referee a field for two games on, one game off. That one game off, you are relieved by another referee and you can take a break.
I remember doing a 3v3 in Rock Hill SC a few years back. The temps were high 90's with 60%+ humidity. I didn't do a whole lot of running, but that steam pot of a day just kicked my ass because we reffed every time slot for the day. 8am to 5pm. Would not do another one unless we had breaks.
This is my first tournament and first time doing 3v3. Do you have any suggestions on things like positioning (I've heard you shouldn't try a diagonal) and how to act when at tournaments but not working or in the referee tent (like just walking around or watching a game)? How do staff/coaches/players/salespeople treat and act around off-duty refs?
Playing area is usually less than 1/4th of regulation pitch. 3v3 is mainly training for cycling the ball The main passing lanes are criss-cross, so stay off the central part of the field, best patrolling lines are near the touchlines; Make certain you are continuously aware of the player in the arc (box); as there is no goal tending, a player may be in the arc, but cannot play from the arc; position yourself close to the goal line in line with the top of the arc during plays in that half; Start and end games on time; these are generally 12x2 halves, 1 minute break; enforce each properly; give the teams the heads-up at start with 30" to kick-off, at half-time inform kick-off in 1' or clock starts in 1', get ready chaps; (the referees after you will thank you for giving them good start times) Know the rules - duration of halves and break, no offside, no goal keeping, kick-in in lieu of throw-in, goal-kick from anywhere from inside the goal-line, corner kick from the corner, all kicks indirect, no penalty kicks. For the little chaps 3v3, help get the ball and help place it at point of restarts - this will save lots of time in keeping the flow, with an inherent hazard of endearing you to the parent tremendously. Ah yes, make certain before the start, the parents are reasonably beyond [away] from the touchlines - players need that space for kick-ins, also spectator-safety. When spectating, be in mufti - as close to civilian wardrobe as possible; that would mean, remove or cover referee jersey, shorts, socks (must), stove whistle (must), wear hat/cap, sunglasses (optional). Tourney staff will know you after you introduce yourself during check-in, they are the ones making money of the shindig and are interested in teams coming back next year, you can help them in this biz, coaches and players will be able to identify when you referee them, they may take to you or not, players usually remember referees who privately praised them for 'good set,' 'nice control,' etc. As for the sales chaps, if as a referee they give massive deductions on gear, then let them know, ditto if loot is available.