New Mexico player's rough tactics lead to ban

New Mexico player's rough tactics lead to ban

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Girls, girls, girls...

Check this clip out. Quite a contrast to the last clip I posted. What we see here only tends to highlight the need for good referee TEAM and through pre-game.

Wonder if the game had a 4th official?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k52QWFeP7OY

Sportsmanship......Sportswomanship!

Watch and enjoy...

As you watch, remember this is from a real game in 2008.

http://www.responsibilityproject.com/films/player/the-home-run/

What skill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBw-kUL5FFA

Click on the link to what some real soccer skills.

Post-game handshake and promoting health

Take the poll about suspending post-game handshakes. For years now, I have promoted merely tapping fists (dap) with players after games. When one considers Fall starts the cold season and that illness is spread most by hands, then shaking hands with players and coaches several dozen times a weekend is a great way to get sick.

Just think, one sick player, coach, or referee can pass a cold to over 2 dozen person in a matter of seconds. Yuk!

Can we all agree to: (1) give a cheer as a team to the opposing team; (2) wave, smile, say thanks; (3) salute, (4) walk past and give thumbs up [I said thumbs, not finger!]???

What do you think?

Field safety

Had a parent challenge us today about a stationary object on the field, which created a minor indentation in the field. He insisted that the referees fix it. He demanded that the game not be played until it was fixed. He threatened to not allow his son to play the game.

Remember these things: The safety of the field is the referee's perogative. If the referee determines the field is safe, we play! If not, the unsafe thing gets fixed, removed, etc., or we don't play. Any one person who does not want to play, does not have to play. If you ever determine the field is safe, but a team (coach) refuses to take the field, write a report. Include the circumstances and on what you based your opinion that the field was safe. The league will determine what to do. Most often, they should consider that match a win for the opposing team. To do otherwise would be to invite coaches to walk away from matches when they feel they cannot win them, hoping to play another day.

No one person gets to hijack a match or hold it hostage. Just because one person's opinion is that something is unsafe, does not make it so. It's in the referee's opinion that counts.

The man's son did not play. We started and finished the game with no injuries, few fouls and no cards. The man's team won 5:1. He missed a good game, but that was his perogative.

Self critiques --- Week 2

Write up your own self critiqe of any game(s) you had this weekend. What you did well; what you would change; any questions or concerns you ran into.

Include what you would do differently next time.

Come on; you can do it! We all learn from each other.

MLS Week in Review, Wk 26

Check out the clips and explanations on Week 26, week in review. Good info on assessing fair and foul tackles and DGSO.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Referee-Programs/2009/09/2009-Referee-Week-in-Review-Week-26.aspx

Heard on the soccer fields

By an old coach, who was doing his first match as a referee, "Wow, this is a lot harder than I realized."

By a parent watching the match, "Hey, foul throw. His foot was on the line."

By a coach after his player committed a foul, "Good call, ref."

Self Critique --- Week 1

So you survived your first weekend refereeing this weekend. Whether you are a newbie or a veteran, we'd like to hear your own self assessment of your game(s). Keep it short, a couple things you thought went well, or even surprised yourself; one or two things you'll work on in your next game.

Include any scenarios or questions that came up. Can't wait to hear some of them. Enter your critiques as comments to this post.

Civility, Sportsmanship, and Accountability

Read about what happened at the US Open tennis match after a competitor berated a line official.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/blog/busted_racquet/post/Serena-Williams-berates-official-loses-match-fo?urn=ten,189028

Denying Goal Scoring Opportunity

Check out Week 25 for MLS season, which covers issues on denying goal scoring opportunities.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Referee-Programs/2009/09/2009-Referee-Week-in-Review-Week-25.aspx

Violent Conduct off the Ball

Here's a game-critical situation, a point where the AR must take action when she sees a critical incident, like violent conduct.

This one occurs 30 yards off the ball, after the ball as moved up field from the offside line. The RED attacker throws an elbow in the WHITE defender's throat. What's great is the fact the AR saw this incident. From his training and experience he knew to keep his eyes back on these two players, rather than to follow the ball up the field with the ball in play.

Take a look at the clip. What would be the restart, from where would it be taken?

Follow the link to US Soccer's Week 24, for the Week in Review, and scroll down to clip #6.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Referee-Programs/2009/09/2009-Referee-Week-in-Review-Week-24.aspx

Fall Season 2009

Welcome to all Referees in the San Gabriel Valley. The Fall season is upon us. It's been a while since I updated the blog, but I'll being doing so more frequently this Fall. I'm hoping to get more of our new Referees in Region 112 to follow the blog and submit their weekly personal critiques.

Personal critiques are a great way to improve our performance.

Good luck next weekend; you're all ready and able!

What's your opinion of the Vuvuzela?

The Vuvuzela puts a whole new meaning to the "horn of Africa." You may have heard these low-pitched, yard-long, plastic horns being blown if you've watched any matches at the Confederation Cup tournment. They sound like an elephant's call or a fog horn!

Let's have your opinion...

But before you chime in, consider the following:

The blowing of this horn is a long-established tradition for South Africans, apparently. Other countries, teams, coaches, etc. have all noted their disdain for the low, annoying sound they make, but FIFA declined to ban them.

FIFA pres. Sepp Blatter has said that he does not favor banning the horns.

Africans are quick to point out that horns are no different than other countries and teams' traditions of singing, playing drums, stomping, etc.

What do you think? The World Cup is one year away in South Africa.

Confederations Cup Update

With USA's win over #1 Spain, arguably the biggest win in USA history, we're in the final against powerhouse Brazil, who is hoping win its 3rd Confederations Cup trophy.

Good news...Dempsey scored against Brazil in 10th minute. Go USA!

Tune into ESPN now to watch this history-making match!

USA goal #2: Donovan, 27th min 2:0

Brasil scores: Fabiano, 30 sec into 2nd half; then again in 74th min. 2 : 2

Brasil scored its go-ahead goal in the 84th minute and won the match and the tournament.

Match was well played by both teams, and well officiated by the referee team. Indeed, the most controversial situation probably came with the "near" goal for Brasil. Depending on the angle, ball may have been in, or not. But referee did not acknowledge a goal. Looked like AR was in position and it happened very fast.

All in all, the situation benefited the USA, and ultimately Brasil won in spite of the "near" goal. Lessson to be learned there for referee, players and coaches.

Great tournament!

Update from Ken Aston Camp

Congratulations to Mike Crandall and Jon Boulware, who both passed the Advance written exam on their first taking, Friday night at the opening of the camp. To give you an idea of that accomplishment, they had to score at least 90%. Mike and Jon were among only 10 referees in 50 who took the test Friday night and passed it. Well done.

With the passing of this test and the completion of this course, Mike Crandall has completed the requirements for Advanced Referee!

MLS Week in Review

Check out the links to the MLS Week In Reviews thru week 9, this season. They are listed on the right of the blog. You'll get to read interpretations from USSF's top assessors and see video clips from games. This is some of the best instruction you can get.

What gets you by?

I'm inviting all referees to answer this question:

What bit of training, preparation, or tip best prepared you for your
last successful assessment or even just a well-done match?

Your input could help a fellow referee pass her next assessment.

PV

Friend of Blog Gets Promotion

Congratulations to Angie Ngiam for passing her final assessment for upgrade to Advanced Referee. Angie is a friend of the blog and the Referee Administrator for the Upland AYSO Region. Good job, Angie.

Newest Advance Referee in La Verne-San Dimas

Congratulations to Craig Pifer who completed his final assessment for upgrade to AYSO Advanced Referee.

Despite a 13:1 final score, Craig was able to demonstrate a high level of cooperation with his ARs, a good understanding of the laws, and excellent match control.

One decision I particularly liked was an unusual situation when a GK punted the ball into the head of an opponent from a close distance.

Craig stopped play and I held my breath to see what he would do: If he made this a foul by the GK, it would be a PK, and should be a card. But the act did not really call for that from my position. It could also be an IFK for GK team for the opponent interfering with GK's releasing ball into play.

Craig took the GK aside and spoke to him, then he awarded a dropped ball to the GK............an excellent decision considering everything.

His whistle and talk to the GK let the opponent know Craig saw the player get hit in the head and Craig would not let that happen; his talk to GK just reminded him to be more careful, giving the GK the benefit of the doubt that it was more an accident than on purpose.

Having determined no foul was committed, Craig restarted with a dropped ball for the GK. All in all, the message was sent and the game stayed fair, all within the laws.

Sending the right message in this match (U14B) at this moment in the match (15 min) was very important to setting a tone for the match, and player management.

US Soccer Week in Review for MLS Season

US Soccer appears to have connected its weekly posting of Referee Week in Review to the US Soccer site. It's a valuable review for all referees, where they can look at clips from the week's MLS matches and read interpretations from USSF's top trainers and assessors.



Look on the right column of this blog to find the links. I'll add new links each week.

Penalty Kick and Kicks from the Mark

Here's a challenge for all of you:

Respond to this challenge in a comment and come up two ways that PKs are SIMILAR to KFTM and two ways that PKs are DIFFERENT than KFTM. There are several for both. Let's see how many we can find. Here's one as an example:

Similar: All players must remain on the field of play for KFTM and PK.

Different: Players may gather in vicinity of penalty
area during PK, while abiding by Law 14 provisions, while in KFTM, all players are located in center circle, except for kicker and the two goalkeepers.

How many more can you find? Limit your responses to no more than two comparison/contrast so everyone has a chance to respond.

Meanwhile, look over to the right and see links to memos on PKs and KFTM.

Analysis of January Poll Question

Here's the scenario again:

Red player is attacking Blue in Blue's penalty area. From left to right, Blue #7 and Red #2 are standing on the goal line as a Red player shoots at the goal. The ball's path is heading to the right of Red #2(his left),who is standing still. Blue #7 pushes Red #2 into the path of the ball. The ball continues in play and goes out of the penalty area.

Three referees risked and submitted their decisions. Let's break down the situation:

Choice #1: Let play continue - not an option here as clearly a foul has been committed (push) by Blue #7.

Choice #2: Apply advantage - This is better option than #1...the ball is bouncing around near the goal and it might go in, only thing is...the ball has bounced out of the penalty area, and it does not look like there is any advantage left for the Red team.

Choice #3: Stop play, award PK; Send off Blue #7 and show red car for denying a goal scoring opportunity by committing a foul that is punishable by restarting with a free kick. YES...this is the best option. Blue could not get to the ball himself as Red #2 is standing to his left. Blue's push of Red #2 into the ball, keeps the ball from scoring. Pushing is a DFK foul, in this case punishable by a PK. Pushing his opponent into the path of the ball prevented a goal-scoring opportunity, thus Blue #7 must be sent off.

Choice #4: Stop play, award a PK, Caution Blue #7 for unsporting behavior. The explanation above demonstrates why this choice is not the best. This choice might have been the best had the ball scored despite the foul by Blue.

To be honest, I have never seen this scenario, but occurred to me one day and I wondered how I would handle it. It's important to rehearse and be better prepared for the unexpected.

Last thought. Some of you astute refs might be questioning the point of Red #2 being in an offside position. While it's possible, it was not stated in the scenario. But let's consider that Red #2 was in an offside position, at the point Blue decides to break up the play by pushing his opponent into the path of the ball, Red #2 has NOT demonstrated that he was involved in any active play. To interfere with play, Red #2 would need to play the ball and we cannot presume he was going to do that; To interfere with an opponent, Red's position may have kept Blue from gettting to the ball, and if so, he would be guilty of interfering with an opponent. The referee would have to form an opinion that Blue's position (distance from the ball) would have been close enough that he could have reached the ball had Red #2 not been there.

Any comment?

Referee Focus Points

I don't remember where I came across these focus points for referees, so my apologies to whomever compiled them. This list is a great review before an assessment. Let's do this...

How about you read the list then pick one focus point and explain in a comment what it means to you, how you might accomplish it, how you have used it and how it helped, or how you've seen it applied by another referee.

1. Prevent the next foul
2. Use personality to influence outcomes
3. Match your personality to the game situation and/or the moment
4. Influence the future with actions in the present
5. Referee for the future not just the moment
6. Does the game or player need the card?
7. The game is the best teacher. Learn from it and make adjustment during it
8. Send appropriate messages
9. Energy and intensity of the referee team must exceed that of the game
10. Chase every ball to the goal line and the goalkeeper
11. ARs should fall into the “rhythm” of the referee
12. Stay focused for 90 minutes
13. Don’t let your guard down
14. Don’t leave anything for chance while preparing for everything

Welcome back! Happy New Year

Sorry for the hiatus, but this is the first opportunity I've had to blog since my last post in October. I just finished teaching a referee instructor course and Advance Referee course in El Toro. Great fellow instructors; Great students; GREAT CAMP held twice a year at El Toro High School near Irvine, CA. This is part of AYSO Area 11L. If you the chance to take a class here, do it!

Area U will be offering an Advance and Intermediate class in Diamond Bar on weekend of February 22. Sign up on eAYSO.org if you are interested.