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 Informational Articles
Code of Ethics for Referees
(From USSF Referee Administrative Handbook) - I will always maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.
- I will conduct myself honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of my position.
- I will always honor an assignment or any other contractual obligation.
- I will attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the Laws of the Game, their proper interpretation and their application.
- I will always strive to achieve maximum team work with my fellow officials.
- I will be loyal to my fellow officials and never knowingly promote criticism of them.
- I will be in good physical condition.
- I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness.
- I will do my utmost to assist my fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
- I will not make statements about any games except to clarily an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
- I will not discriminate against nor take undue advantage of any individual group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
- I consider it a privilege to be a part of the United States Soccer Federation and my actions will reflect credit upon that organization and its affiliates.
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Pregame Instructions: By Gil Weber, National Emeritus Referee (used with permission)
August 2002 -- Based on recent requests from several members of socref here are my revised pregame instructions. While much of this remains as written in 1999, I've updated various sections to reflect policy and protocol changes from USSF, FIFA, and the International Board. As I stated in the original preamble, adapt these instructions to your own style and temperament. I urge you not to repeat verbatim that which you read here. Rather think about the points I make, reflect on how I deal with them, and then create your own pre-game spiel to meet the needs of your games and the experience levels of your ARs. With that, here goes... ---------------------- Except when you need to deal with
substations or other matters on your touchline, you'll help me most by focusing your attention inside the lines for the entire 90 minutes (or however long). Please don't turn around to see who chases the ball when it goes into touch behind you. Don't watch to see what happens to the ball when it goes behind the goal line. Our game is between the lines, so watch the players and the field at all times. The players are smart, and if one of them is going to do anything nasty it will probably happen when he thinks we're not watching. If you turn to watch the ball behind you, that's when a player will look, see his chance, and elbow or punch or spit. Then an opponent is lying face down on the field and I look at you with a facial expression asking "What happened?" If you then look back at me with eyes like a deer caught in headlights, we're in trouble. We can't let that happen, we have to be aware, so watch the "hot" areas of the field at all times. If I whistle for a
free kick close to you and I have to come to the spot of the foul to deal with players or move the wall, do NOT watch me! Nothing is happening where I am. Watch the players behind me, directly across from you in the penalty area. That's where the s**t is going to hit the fan because the players know my attention is away from them, and they look at you and see that you're watching me! Then the nasty stuff starts, so watch the field!! Every time the ball is dead the first thing we must do is make eye contact. If you have something to communicate then try to tell me what's on your mind with hand signals. But if it's a more serious matter that requires discussion then motion me over. On each stoppage it's also important that you look across the field to the other AR. Make eye contact. If there is a flag up behind my back (e.g., for substitution) then mirror it. If I don't look at you don't worry. I'm not ignoring you. I'm simply violating my first rule which says we must make eye contact. I'm allowed to violate my own rules :o) Now, if I don't look at you several times then give me a shout and point to your own eyes -- I'll get the message to pay attention. Offside is yours but please remember to wait just a moment to determine participation. Let's not put the flag up for a player standing in an offside position only to see the player with the ball run through the defense and collect his own pass. A second or two late and accurate is better than a fast but, ultimately, inaccurate flag. If you do put the flag up (and it's not a mistake which you immediately correct) then hold it until I blow the whistle, or wave it down ("thanks very much"), or if I've gone completely asleep until the defense takes the ball and there is no longer a threat of attack. Never, never pull the flag down with an attack in progress simply because I did not see it. Stand there forever with the flag raised if you have to. You're not the one who looks foolish -- I am, and that's my problem. The defense and their coaches will certainly let me know that your flag is up. (Boy, will they let me know! :o)) But we can not allow a goal to be scored if you had the flag up and then brought it down because I did not see it and you then decided you had to catch up to the second to last defender. Similarly, if the ball goes into touch and then comes back into the field, raise the flag and stand there until I blow the whistle or until the attack breaks down. I'm the one who looks foolish, not you. We cannot allow the ball to go off the field, come back in, and then go into the goal. If you've dropped the flag and I never saw it, and I then award a goal we'll have a riot. So keep the flag up as long as there's a threat of attack! If the ball goes into the goal and comes back out, and if I did not realize it and play continues, raise the flag and stand there. Do not drop the flag. A goal is a goal, any my falling asleep does not negate that. As a last resort, shout to get my attention -- this is a game-altering incident and we have to get it right. If I've turned away from you and headed
up field and have not heard your shout, then the AR on the other side of the field should see your flag and should mirror it ("Hey, dummy. Look behind you and try to extricate yourself from the hole you've just dug."). Now, if the other AR does not see and mirror your flag, and if the game has had some stoppages and restarts then it's too late at that point to award the goal. All you can do is tell me at half time/full time and I'll have to deal with the consequences of my inattentiveness. OK, we know that ARs are now instructed to become more involved in managing the game, for example with fouls. Please help me, but please also give me first shot since I tend to play a lot of advantage. Early in the game especially be just a little bit hesitant popping the flag until you get a feel for what I'm allowing. If you're convinced that I would have called the foul had I seen it then don't hesitate to raise the flag. Be sure to give me direction and a little hand signal (e.g., shirt pulling). Remember, I may not have seen the foul, and I have to sell the call to the players! If you can help me avoid the deer-in-the-headlights stare when the players ask "What was the call, ref?" I'd be most appreciative. :o) I'm going to ask you to be very careful flagging for any fouls in the penalty area that would result in a PK. That's NOT saying the penalty area is exclusively mine, but I am supposed to be able to see what's in front of me, and I'll take responsibility for that. I'll also protect you from irate defenders and coaches, so don't worry about them. So please think very, very carefully before flagging for PKs. Now there are two exceptions -- times when you should flag for a PK without any hesitation. 1) If some Diego Maradonna wanna-be sticks his hand up above his head or far from his body and unquestionably, intentionally handles the ball, and I'm the only person on the planet who did not see it, then raise the flag, give the standard USSF signal for PK. Again, this is not some marginal handling -- this is clearly "mano de dios" stuff and you're convinced I've had a huge brain f**t. 2) If I've turned to run up field and a defender cold-cocks an attacker behind my back then you must raise the flag. Now, that flag will be behind my back (and flags behind the CR's back should be avoided) but we're talking a game-destroying incident if it's not dealt with promptly. So raise the flag and the other AR should be observant enough to see it and mirror. "Hey ref, look behind you. There's a problem significant enough for me to flag and point past you." Manage the game as best you can when play is near to you. Handle encroachment on close-by free kicks and corner kicks. Come into the field if you need to. But keep an eye on the attackers and read the game. They may want to take a quick free kick, and if you're standing next to the wall 10 yards inside the field when they put the ball into play then we all look bad when I have to blow the whistle and hold the restart while you retreat to the touch line. So use common sense here and try to stay at the touch line if you can. Talk to the players when they're at the corner arc and you just know the attacker is going to kick the defender's ankles ("Play the ball guys, not the ankles"). If the player then kicks the ankles you nail him -- raise the flag. Talk to the players -- politely, respectfully, but we're in charge. They are not. If they complain ("Hey linesman, that was offside") don't be bothered. Players will complain and disagree. They're allowed to disagree and vent a little emotion. That's part of an emotional game. But when they tell you to stick the flag where the sun doesn't shine then it's different and you need to call me over. Anytime you call me over it has to be for something so serious that you could not manage it yourself. So you must be prepared to tell me "white #6 spit at blue #12" or whatever. Do NOT call me over to say that green #5 is complaining about offside. I don't care about that and you should not be over-reacting to that kind of stuff. So listen and hear what needs to be heard and ignore what can be ignored. Stay calm and in control. Same with the coaches and substitutes and spectators. They're allowed to disagree as long as they don't get out of line or become disruptive to the game, or interfere with your running on the line. So try to manage things as best you can -- politely but firmly. If you've tried but you cannot deal with elements outside the touchlines then call me over. I WILL TAKE OUT THE TRASH! If the ball goes in the goal and in your opinion it's a good goal then follow standard USSF procedures but do NOT run up the line. If I decide it's not good then you have to run all the way back. Make eye contact! If I agree it's good then trot slowly up the line looking over your right shoulder at the goal line and penalty areas to observe post-goal nastiness (especially fights over the ball in the net). Watch the players!!! If in your opinion it's not a good goal then stand there, at attention, per USSF instructions. I'll look at you, you can motion me over and tell me "#6 clearly obstructed the keeper and prevented her from getting to the ball" (or whatever it was). If I agree we'll cancel the goal and restart for the defense. If I disagree we'll go with the goal and I'll keep the defenders away from you. Again, don't be offended; it's not personal. Now, if in your opinion it's not a good goal, and I fail to make eye contact (instead pointing and running directly to the center circle), then raise the flag behind my back. Again, I hate flags behind my back but I've violated my own rule which says make eye contact and standing at attention won't do any good at that point. So you need to get my attention. The other AR must mirror the flag ("Hey, dummy, look behind you"). If I whistle for a PK then come around the corner and take your position off the field at the intersection of the goal line and penalty area line. Be a goal judge and watch for keeper movement forward from the goal line. I'll watch for encroachment into the penalty area by the field players. If the ball rebounds from the keeper or goal do NOT try to rejoin play with the offside. You'll get caught in no-man's land and you're useless to me. Stay on the end line and be a goal judge. I'll watch for offside. Move out to the touch line only when it's safe -- when the play had cleared the penalty area and the ball is going to the other half of the field. If the keeper moves forward of the goal line and the kick is not successful then move your left foot into the field so that you are straddling the goal line. That tells me there was goal keeper movement. In my infinite wisdom (or lack thereof) I may choose to ignore that subtle signal from you. Do not be offended; it is not personal. All other mechanics are to standard USSF teachings (for corner kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks, substitutions, etc.). Just follow what you were taught and you'll be fine. When you check the players be certain that the jersey number on the lineup is the same as the number on the shirt. And please look at the photos on the player passes! Does the player standing in front of you bear any resemblance to the photo? If not, hold the pass and show it to me. Do not return it to the player or coach. One last thing. I'm not picky about the exact spot for throw-ins, goal kicks, offside, etc. If the player is close let her play. Show the player where to take the throw-in and if she's within a few yards let it go. If she goes 15 yards away after you pointed to the proper spot then raise the flag. I don't care that the ball goes on the exact blade of grass for offside restarts. Let them play. I don't care if the ball is placed a few inches outside the goal area for a goal kick and the nearest opponent is 40 yards away. Who cares? Certainly not the opponents. Don't raise the flag and motion with your hand to tell me that the ball has to go back a few inches after it's been kicked into play! If the keeper is punting the ball and reaches a few inches outside the penalty area just before kicking (clearly handling outside the area) don't raise the flag! The nearest opponent is probably 40 yards away. Who cares? Let them play. Give a shout "Keeper, watch your lines." Then if the keeper persists we have the option to nail him after we've provided a reasonable warning. But let's not micro-manage technical offenses that don't matter in the long run. That only causes preventable irritation for the players and coaches and spectators. Now, if the keeper comes out and challenges an opponent and handles outside the area then of course you flag it. That handling is unfair. But otherwise don't be overly critical of things that don't affect the game or the players' enjoyment. Flag what needs to be called. Let inconsequential stuff go. Talk to the players ("Keeper, watch your line when you're punting the ball"). Now, any questions on things I covered, or are there things I did not cover that you're still unclear about? OK, let's pluck this turkey. :o) That's it! Gil Weber
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One Man Diagonal by Giovanni Piazza - extracted from the SOCREF-L archives |
Glenn, from Eastern Pennsylvania >Giovanni, how about a discourse on DSC when doing a game with club lines (I >wont ever call parents AR's). Sure...... It is Saturday, it is snowing, I have no games, there is no soccer on TV, if I don't write this I have to go downstairs to the treadmill or do laundry, so this will be long. I am going to talk about two one-man position systems, the one-man diagonal and the lateral. One-man diagonal first. There are two main differences between the standard DSC and the one-man diagonal: with the one-man diagonal........ a - the referee does not need to keep his AR in sight b - the referee needs to go deeper than usual to pay closer attention to offside Point (a) is an advantage - in terms of movement - but point (b) represents an increased demand on the ref. However, the added freedom that point (a) gives the referee will help him to achieve the objective in (b). Let's start from a GK situation: the referee will position itself at the centre circle, as in a three-man situation, but while in the three-man situation he will *always* take the side opposite to the lead linesman, in a one-man situation he will take the same side as the ball. It is easy to spot in advance where the goalkeeper is going to put the ball, so crossing the circle (20 yds.) can be done with an easy jog. (In younger age groups, where the ball is not likely to land at the halfway lane the ref can move closer to the box, but things do 't change in terms of width) After the ball is kicked it can reach the halfway line: a - on the same side of the pitch as the ref, or b - on the other side In (a) the referee is golden; all he has to do is stay ahead of the ball and run downfield, paying equal attention to the ball and to the offside line. In order to do this, he has to stay as wide as possible and as deep as possible. How deep? Let the play make the decision for you; the more the ball is contested the closer (depth, not width) you should be to the play rather than the offside line; if the ball comes downfield with little or no contest between players, be bold and take the offside line. The key here is *width*; remember, you are on the same side of the ball, so you will never be far away from the play; go wide, wider and widest :-} In (b) the referee is at a disadvantage; so, as soon as he realizes that the ball is going to cross the halfway line on the side opposite to him, he has to start a diagonal movement that brings him to cross the field and get to the same side as the ball. This implies crossing the center field, but it is fine, absolutely fine; this is a one-man mechanic....... The idea here is that the referee should try everything he can to be on the same side of the pitch as the ball when it crosses the halfway line. Don't be scared; getting to the same side as the ball *always* implies zero or one diagonal movements across the field and it is easy to see in advance whether or not the ball is going to cross the halfway line on our side or the opposite one. Usually there is no need for anything more than an easy jog to gain this advantage point. One way or the other, we are now at the point when the ball has crossed the halfway line on our side; let's go from here....... In order to decide what to do next, we need to establish a reference point at the 25 or 30 yard line and see what happens to the ball between the halfway line and our imaginary reference point. If the ball goes straight downfield we go with it and we try to stay ahead and take the offside line, or to go as close to it as advisable. Don't make reaching the offside line a matter of religion; close is close enough. The three things that really matter are *width, width and width*. HERE COMES THE TROUBLE........ ......The ball crossed the halfway line with us but it is kicked across the field before reaching our mental reference point on the 25-30 yard line......... If the ball goes away from us at any time after crossing the halfway line and before reaching the 25-30 yard line we should commit ourselves and cut across the field in the direction of the opposite corner flag, regardless of how deep or shallow the movement of the ball is. In one-man system we simply cannot afford to follow the ball like puppies..... We need to establish our own patterns........ This cutting across the field is the most dangerous moment of them all; we lose the angle on the offside line and we are in the center of the field, so we need to get out of the way as fast as possible and sprint, sprint, sprint. This is the single referee action that requires speed and stamina; commit to the crossover and go, go, go, Of course, the next logical question is when to stop, and the answer is: as soon as we are on the other wing, ahead of the ball and we have regained our angle on the offside line. This is a *key* point; once you commit to cross over, do not stop halfway through the movement; go all the way until you regain the offside angle. What happens if the ball switches back to where we were coming from, either while we are crossing over or after we are done with it? Let it go; in a one man system we cannot afford more than one live-ball cross over at midfield per play, unless we want to die, and we also have to take offside into consideration..... Let's say we are lucky, though, and we are on the same side as the ball as it crosses the 25 line; in this case we can go for the offside line without further hesitation, take it and call the play from this position until its end. *Never*, *ever* think of crossing over in the last fourth of the field, unless you think it is cute being caught with your pants down, in the center of the field while little Joey is screaming in pain in the middle of the box or Sammy the Nimble is breezing with the ball toward the goalmouth and everybody else is screaming "Offfffsiiiiiiiiidee!". If the ball goes away from you after it has crossed the 25-30 yard line, push slightly toward the center of the field - as much as you can without losing offside!! - and don't be scared........ Look at where you are: you have *all* players boxed in between you and the ball, you have the offside and the only thing is that you are away from the ball (but you have a good angle anyway.....). Not perfect, but good enough......... However, it is true that being away from the ball in the final fourth of the field is the real weakness, so we should introduce in our one-man diagonal one element that minimizes this risk. The element is a careful exploitation of *any* dead ball situation (dead ball is easier to write than ball-not-in-play). In the offensive half of the field, every time where the following occurs: a - there is a dead ball situation, and b - the ball is on the other (vertical) half of the field, and c - you *have the time*, cross over diagonally and take you position along the diagonal, as illustrated above, on the same side as the ball. This is almost mandatory on fouls, when you have to go there, sort out the mess, set the wall and all those neat things, but it is also highly advisable on throw-ins. Actually, throw-ins are the one-man referee best friend, mostly those when the ball is kicked *way* out of bounds. In those cases there is plenty of time to cross over and rest. A couple of tips: 1 - on corner kicks on a one-man system, *always* take the far post, and position yourself on the inside corner of the GA. 2 - don't take the "socref approach" to offside, and don't spend too much time on endless, mind numbing analysis on the most irrelevant factors. If he is offside and goes, nail him *now*.... Don't wait. If you wait, in a one-man situation you nail yourself to the cross (don't you just *love* these Catholic metaphors). Nobody is backing you up, nobody is going to give you a late signal if one of those strange situations happen. Cut the debate before it begins and if he goes, call it....... So far we have seen a full beginning-to-end play and we have fully illustrated the diagonal in this context. Unfortunately - as we know - soccer is characterized by frequent changes of possession that not even the NF has made illegal (hey, what if one gets injured in the process, or if his self esteem suffers from being nutmegged......), so we have to reconcile our one-man diagonal with change of possession situations. I'll get myself a cigarette, a cup of tea (too early to booze...) I'll watch some of the Northwestern game - Go Cats! - and I'll be back with something intelligent to say (yeah, right....). If there is a change of possession, the actual position of the referee is immaterial in determining what to do next. Remember, we do not have AR's to keep in sight, so we can roam freely around the field with the only objective to get to a better position to rule on the play; as far as our position goes the two (vertical) halves of the field are exactly the same!! Given this, as soon as there is a change of possession, turn around and take off toward the corner flag that is on the same (vertical) side of the field *as the ball* when the change of possession occurs. Run as hard as the play requires and keep running toward the corner flag until you have regained your angle *on the offside*. The most common error here is to stop when you have regained the angle on the ball. This is not enough, and using the angle on the ball as our only reference point has two major drawbacks: a - it leaves you way too central way too often.... b - it leaves you in a bad position to call offside........ As a matter of fact, regaining the angle on the ball is meaningless as an objective. A good angle on the ball is a by-product of a good angle on the offside and the latter never comes without the former......... So, if there is a change of possession, identify the "good" corner flag and sprint in that direction as hard as you have to. Several things may happen at this point: a - a breakaway. The changes of possession results in a
continuous attack that keeps going until a shot is taken. In this case, the only thing a referee can do is to continue running straight, as fast as possible, until *after* the shot is taken. Pietro Mennea, the Italian sprinter whose 200 mt. world record resisted longer than *any other* (excuse us.....) was very well known for his "never-give-up" finish, and once he explained his secret: "I never ran a 200 metre race; I always run a 210 metre..........". Too often I see too referees give up once they realize the breakaway is going all the way, and I see them calling the play from the center of the field and from too far behind. That's no good; a breakaway is the most demanding play but also the play when fouls are more blatant and visible; I personally try to do *everything* I can to minimize the disadvantage a breakaway puts me at and I do not slow down until the ball is out of bounds or within the unchallenged goalie's possession. b - a new play is set up by the team in possession: somebody will look up, decide what to do next and play the ball accordingly. In this case, the referee can use this time to
analyze his position, the ball's, see where ball and referee are with respect to the halfway line and apply the original principles illustrated above c - a mix of (a) and (b) above: a breakaway stems from the change of possession but it does not go all the way because the
defense interrupts it, the ball goes out of bounds or whatever...... The best reaction in this case is to follow the breakaway mechanic until the offside angle is regained or the breakaway is interrupted (not just slowed down, *interrupted*) and then re-assess one's position with respect of the ball (same vertical half or opposite one), the field (defensive half, offensive half, and if so, behind or ahead of the 25-30 yd. line). The ensuing position will be dictated by the results of that observation, according to the basic principles. d - the change of possession is followed by something not well defined, a struggle for the ball, tackles over tackles, one-on one duels in a relatively restricted area of the field. In this case the referee must go as wide as possible to get the best angle on the ball and *then* see if an angle on the offside is required too. If this is the case, he will rectify his position going deeper, as deep as needed to get the required angle. That is basically everything that one needs to know to implement a good one-man diagonal. It looks effort intensive and physically demanding, and it actually is, but less than it looks like. The secret for a perfect execution is not the top speed, but the ability to remain in constant motion at a slow/moderate pace. In many - too many - cases the need to sprint is caused by not having executed a proper slow motion on the previous play. This creates a chain reaction: the sprint tires the referee, who will try to make up by not moving on the next play, and this - in turn - will cause the need for more sprint etc. I am talking here to the referees who took on refereeing at a later age and at an expanded waist :-}, usually dragged into the sport by their kids playing. I bet the rent that many of them do not like the sense of exertion and the physical exhaustion that they feel at the end of a day at the park. I am no physical trainer, but I would like to invite them to try this diagonal (one man or three man, it does not make any difference) and execute it properly, keeping themselves in constant, slow/moderate pace motion with the occasional outburst of energetic run when it is needed. I swear: they will work-out more but at a better pace and they will feel *well* physically at the end of the day. If not, I'll give you back your money, guaranteed...... A less demanding but less effective one-man system of control is the lateral. It works more or less like the diagonal until the ball crosses the halfway line, but then the referee will never have a live ball cross-over and will keep going deep and wide on the side he was when the ball crossed the halfway line. Dead ball cross-overs will always be executed when needed, and they will be needed more often than with the one-man diagonal. It is simpler and less demanding, but it does not give the referee good angles in many situations. That's it. Reactions welcome giovanni.piazza@ey.com [Back to Top]
IT’S A GAME OF YARDS, FEET, AND INCHES by Brian Goodlander - (used with permission)
Law 18, common sense, is an often-quoted mantra of the soccer referee. Whenever we are stuck in a situation that the Laws of the Game do not really address, we are always told to follow Law 18. When dealing with positioning the ball and/or the wall, I use the mantra of “It’s a game of yards, feet, and inches.” The Laws of the Game dictate that the ball be placed at the spot where a foul occurred. Imagine, however, that you are the referee of a match where the same direct free kick foul occurs in three different areas of the field during the game. The accuracy of the placement of the ball for the free kick may be different for each situation. The first of this series of fouls occur in the defensive third of the field. The defender is held by the attacking player at about the 20-yard line. You blow your whistle and award the direct free kick to the defense. If you insist on the ball being put on the exact blade of grass where the foul occurred, you are in compliance with the Law but you will frustrate both teams and delay the restart of the match. In the defensive third of the field, soccer is a game of yards. The placement of ball in insignificant since the resulting attack will not vary dependent upon the exact placement of the ball. The key in this area is to get the ball back in play as quickly as possible. Later in the match, one player is holding an opponent near midfield. Again, you recognize the foul and award the direct free kick to the fouled player’s team. Here you must be more attentive about the ball placement but still not overly concerned. In this area of the field, soccer is a game of feet. At midfield, a ball placed central and a ball placed nearer the touchlines may result in very different tactics and a very different attack. For that reason, take some time to make sure the ball is placed with a three yard area of the where the foul occurred, trying to minimize the time lost for the placement and allowing for the quick restart, if desired. In the final situation, the attacking player is held by the defender at the top of the penalty kick arc, just outside the penalty area. In this area of the field, the resulting direct free kick is typically ceremonial and the placement of the ball is extremely important. Now soccer is a game of inches. Regardless of the desire for a quick restart or not, make sure the ball is placed very close to the point of the foul. A shift to the side or back and forth can dramatically change the options to the attacking team and specifically to the kicker. A skilled place kicker can make the ball do many things given the right angle and room. Similarly, his teammates will take a different tact depending upon the ball’s placement. If the kick is going to be ceremonial, follow the normal mechanics: (1) Inform the kicker to wait for your whistle, (2) move the wall to the proper position, (3) make eye contact with your lead assistant and be assured that he/she is properly placed, (4) move to your position and (5) blow the whistle for the taking of the kick. Many referees also like to inform the keeper that the kick is a direct free kick. This is particularly important if the players are not experienced or are unskilled. Depending upon where the foul takes place, soccer is a game of yards, feet and inches. Be aware of when to worry about ball placement and when to apply Law 18, common sense, and just get the ball in play.
Brian Goodlander is a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, a high school referee, and a National Referee for Soccer Association for Youth (SAY) in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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To Play or Not to Play? That is the Question! by Brian Goodlander - (published in Referee Magazine) - 12/01 The beauty of soccer is that it is played in almost any weather conditions. The athletes and officials must be in good condition and properly prepared to play in some of the more foul weather conditions. However, the same two over-riding principles hold fast in all aspects of the game – safety and fairness. These principles apply to weather and field conditions as much as they due to whether a tackle is an excellent play or a free kick. A simple review of the various soccer organization rulebooks demonstrate that the referee has the authority and responsibility to suspend or terminate a match if the playing conditions warrant it. -
· FIFA – Law 5 – The Referee. IFAB DECISION 1 - …a decision that the conditions of the field of play or its surrounds or that the weather conditions are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take place. -
· USSF Advice to Referees 5.11 TERMINATING THE MATCH. The referee may terminate a match for reasons of safety (bad weather or darkness), … -
· NFHS Rule 1-7 FIELD CONDITIONS. …Once the game begins, and until it ends, the determination of whether or not a game may be safely continued shall be made by the referee. -
· NCAA Rule 5-5 DISCRETIONARY POWERS. The referee has the discretionary power to: a) Suspend the game whenever, by reason of the elements, interference by spectators, or other cause, such action is deemed necessary… Approved Ruling (A.R.) 63 states: “The game is started in good weather, but conditions rapidly deteriorate and both teams insist on continuing the game. RULING: The referee has the authority to suspend a game for reason of the elements.”
The intent of these rules are clear but the specifics of when and how are vague. Do we stop if I hear thunder? How much rain is too much? What is too cold and what is too hot? What about lightning or ice or fog? Are there hard and fast rules or do they vary from league to league, age to age? Does the referee always make the decision? What if the field proprietor decides not to play a game because of the possible damage to the pitch? These are very difficult and complex questions that are often thrust into the lap of the referee. Preventative Measures – There are some things that the referee can do prior to a match to make sure he or she is armed with as much knowledge as possible. These include: (1) Know the Rules – Make sure that you are aware of the applicable rules for the competition. The NFHS states that the home school athletic director can deem the conditions acceptable to play or not to play up to the beginning of play. Until you start this match, you can not suspend or terminate a match. In some state high school associations, waiting periods have been pre-set by the state. For example, in Ohio there is a set number of minutes that must be waited after the last lightning strike or thunderclap. These are rules that the referee is obliged to follow. It is always wise to consult the match or tournament director on their policy for weather conditions and safety. (2) Pre-game Field Inspection – An early arrival to the field is even more important than usual if there is currently or threats of foul weather in the course of the match. Is this a pitch that tends to pool water in certain areas. Always take the time to inspect the goal areas. They are usually the hardest beaten and most suspect in the event of bad weather. Discuss with you assistants and fourth official about how to signal to you when they see lightning or believe that the match should be stopped. If there was play on the field earlier that damaged areas of the field, what is there condition now. If the temperature has dropped to below freezing,
those same ruts can not be frozen into razor sharp edges that can cause deep cuts on thighs and arms. Don’t forget to look at the touchline areas. They are often one of the least maintained areas on the field. Some venues have benches or stands close to these areas that under normal conditions are sufficiently far away but under slippery conditions can be dangerous. What conditions will your assistants be working in? Should you consider a reverse diagonal to provide them some relief? Understanding the field conditions before the game can provide you with critical information about the safety and well-being of the players as the game nears. (3) Weather Forecasts – Weather prediction and technology has made tremendous strides over the last 5 years. Check the weather before you leave for a match. This can be done by phone, Internet, or television. I have a pager and a cell phone that can receive weather emergency information automatically. This is important information for determining if there is any point in starting the match or how to long to wait for a small pocket of foul weather to pass. (4) Detection Devices – Many schools, parks, and tournaments are equipped with detection devices for foul weather, especially lightning. All of us have seen these things work both excellently and poorly. I can remember a detection device go off at a field that was bathed in warm summer sun and perfect playing conditions. We played the entire match without any dark clouds, rain, thunder or lightning. That night I checked the radar on the Weather Channel and nothing was detected with 200 miles of that field. Similarly, I was working a game under fair conditions when the detection device sounded and the storm moved so quickly, we barely made it to cover before multiple lightning strikes blanketed the area. These are just another tool to use to help you make a very difficult decision. (5) Age of Players – Young players need to learn to play under less than optimal conditions but they also have to learn to enjoy the game first. Albeit cute, we have all suffered through watching two teams of 10 year olds stand around a puddle of water carefully kicking at the ball stuck in the center of the puddle. With young kids, temperature is a key condition to watch. Very hot conditions or very cold conditions can be dangerous to young players. Include a couple of water breaks to assure that the kids don’t dehydrate. Encourage them to drink water when they are not on the field. Adults know the dangers of not wearing sufficient clothing on cold days and can make the choice to wear those gloves or not. Young players do not always realize the dangers and the adult supervision may be caught up in the game too much to realize what’s happening. Older players kick the ball harder and farther than younger players. In foggy conditions, will you be able to follow the flight of the ball and be able to see the landing zone to look for fouls or misconduct? This is an important consideration for fairness and safety. (6) Traveling Teams – As players get older, teams begin to travel. A college team that has traveled for 3 hours to reach a game site will be very reluctant to not play due to some inclement weather. These situations require some consideration before suspending or terminating a match for foul weather. Can this game be played safely and fairly or do you just not want to get muddy and cold? Be more lenient with traveling teams than local matches but never risk the key principles of safety and fairness. (7) The Impact – Another factor to consider is the impact of not playing this match will have on the players, teams, standings, and/or league. Many tournaments are forced to stay on schedules or play finals in poor weather and field conditions because of potential interference with league play or inconvenience to traveling teams. Some games are not as critical to standings as other games and the league will likely not replay the games. Other games are critical to standings or are big rivalries. Patience is important here. Player, fans, tournament officials, school administrators are anxious to play and are frustrated by the weather or other conditions that may result in the game being suspended or terminated. (8) The Score – If the game is a blow-out, the choice is easier than if the game is a draw or a close hard fought battle. That said, the principles are the same. Is it fair to end a match when you may not normally just because one team is losing badly. Those teams, players, schools deserve to play the game. The game score is a contributing factor but should be given less weight than many of the other factors previously discussed. (9) Back-up Plan – If you decide to play in questionable weather, always make sure that you have a solid, well thought-outback-up plan. Are the bleachers metallic? How far away are the cars? The locker rooms?
We have discussed the why, but what about the how? How do I know when to consider the conditions unplayable? Here are some ideas for making that decision. -
Heat – In general, this is not a reason for terminating a match. Youth players may need a water break mid-way through a half. Humidity and smog are greater safety concerns. High humidity and bad smog can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions. Many areas have smog alerts. Be aware of these situations and be patient with players having difficulty due to allergies, asthma or dehydration. One more point is that at higher level games the number of substitutions are limited so the players exposure to the high heat is more intense and warrants closer attention. -
Cold – Extreme cold can be very dangerous. Pay attention to the weather forecast and understand the signs of frostbite. Blue lips or extremities are signs of reduced circulation and overexposure to cold. Fingernails can be could indicators of internal body temperatures. If you are warm, it is likely that the players are doing okay as well. Typically, you should expect to chilled or cold at the very beginning of the game. You should warm up as you exert energy to stay with play. Assistant referees are particularly susceptible to these conditions as they may stand still for longer periods. -
Rain – Rain, in and of itself, is not a big deal. However, rain combined with other factors can be very dangerous. Cold and rain mixed can result in hypothermia. Rain accompanied by thunder and lightning can create vary dangerous conditions. The impact of a heavy rain is really dependent upon the pitch on which the game is being held. If it drains well, play on. If it becomes a muddy, slippery mess, use your best judgment. Personally, I like to watch how the players are doing. Are they slipping or are they upright? If they slip, do they fall awkwardly and risk serious injury or do they just get muddy. Can the keeper perform their job? Is one end of the field different than the other? -
Fog – I was involved in a game this last year where as the sunset, fog seemed to appear out of the ground. In the first half it was kind of fun. It reminded me of one of the B horror movies that play at the drive-in. At the start of the second half, however, there was a cross to the area and I could not see the goal or the keeper. At this point, I signaled the referee and terminated the match. Fairness and safety are the keys here. If you stand in the middle of field, can you see the goals? Is one end different than the other? Will your assistants be able to call off-sides? -
Snow – Snow is a real inconvenience. The touchlines and markings disappear. Players slip and fall and become wet in cold conditions. A slight dusting is harmless but if it impedes the progress of the ball or the safety of the players, terminate or suspend the match. -
Ice – Ice is perhaps the worst condition for the ground. Rather than a soft landing on grass the player now lands on frozen turf. This can result in serious injury. Damaged areas of the field are now more like a bunch of small knives ready to cut any one that may slip. If the players are older and seem to be able to control themselves and the ball, then play. But if they fall and they complain of injury due to the conditions, end the misery. -
Thunder & Lightning – Always stay on the conservative safe side of this danger. Lightning strikes are extremely dangerous and a soccer pitch is a prime area for being struck. Large complexes have vast open areas with few trees and typically the players, officials, fans, and coaches are the highest items in the opening. If lightning strikes it will be attracted by these higher items. We recently had a meteorologist at one of our association meetings. He reiterated, using a number of humorous yet frightening stories, that where there is thunder, there is likely lightning. If you hear thunder, look at the sky and see if things are moving quickly or if there are any bright flashes on the horizon. If the game is near completion, you may be able to complete the match. If you or anyone sees lightning, stop the game and get to safety immediately. As a general rule, wait at least 20 minutes after the last lightning was seen before restarting the match. -
Wind –Generally wind is not a major reason for stopping a match. However, if you are located in area where tornadoes can occur and the conditions are favorable for their formation, wind can tell you a lot about any impending trouble. If you have any reason to believe that severe weather is close by, terminate or suspend the match and get yourself and everyone else to appropriate cover. It is very difficult to know when a game should be terminated or suspended due to weather or field conditions but with some preventative measures and a watchful eye you can avoid these problems and make the right decision. Remember that safety and fairness are the paramount principles to live by. Brian Goodlander
Brian Goodlander is a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, a high school referee, and a National Referee for Soccer Association forYouth (SAY) in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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Ready for Anything? by Brian Goodlander - (published in Referee Magazine) - 12/01
How do you tell an experienced referee from a fresh recruit? Some say it’s in their confident nature or superior fitness. Maybe it’s because of the way the know everybody in the referee tent or at your association meetings? I say that one way to tell is to rummage through their referee kit. A new referee will often carry the bare minimum of items and often not what is really needed, while an experienced referee sometimes seems to need a Sherpa to carry their bag. What’s the difference between the two referee’s kits? What’s important and what’s just a personal luxury? The 10 Essentials: -
Whistles – I carry two whistles in my bag. My favorite one that I use in most situations and my spare that is in my other shorts pocket during the game in case I drop my favorite one. The spare also has a different tone in case the referee in the next pitch has the same favorite whistle. -
Watches – I also carry two watches. I wear both of them when I am the referee and only one when I am an assistant referee. One typically is set to count down and the other to count up. If I decide to stop one watch, I always let the other run. I do this since about a third of time I either forget to restart the watch or
accidentally reset it. This way I still have at least one watch with the right time. Also, I think every referee who has been working games for more than two seasons has had a watch battery die in the closing moments of a big match. -
Cards – I carry a couple of spare set of cards. Like the watch and whistle, I carry an extra set on the pitch in case I drop one. The other ones in my kit are for those rare opportunities when you find an up-and-coming referee who is using the fact that he or she doesn’t have any cards so they can’t work the middle of this game.
Another kind of card I carry is a set of 3x5 cards. I use this as game cards. Even when I am at a tournament where they supply game cards, I use my cards then transfer the information onto the official game card. This helps the tournament officials read the cards since it should be clean and clear versus my sweaty or scribbled card. -
Pen, Pencil, Marker – You guessed it. I carry two writing tools and have some spares in my bag. It is a good idea to have both a pen and a pencil since pens don’t like to work in the rain and may freeze in the late fall and early spring. For those of you that like the cards that you can write on, a spare marker is a good idea. -
Flipping coin – It is always handy to have a flipping coin in your kit since you may not have any change on you when it comes time for captains. In a pinch, I have had used the old “which hand is my whistle in” routine but it seems a little unprofessional. -
Duct Tape – As a young man, my father taught me that almost anything could be fixed with duct tape. This seems especially true as a referee. I have added numbers to jerseys, fixed poorly hung nets, kept the socks up, fixed my overstressed referee bag, and a million other things with a simple roll of duct tape. -
Alternate Jersey(s) – It is always a good practice to include at least one of the alternate jerseys in your referee kit. Invariably, one of the teams will have chosen a club color that is the same color as your jersey. If the rest of the team has an alternate but you do not, this can be embarrassing and make life difficult for all involved. If you are just starting out and don’t want to spend the money, then see if you can buy an old one of a referee with big bag or check with your association to see if they have a collection of used jerseys that you can use. Once you make some money and decide that you are going to stick with refereeing, reinvest some of it and buy some alternate colors. -
Money – You never know when you may need a few bucks. Maybe the tournament does not pay until the end of the day and you need some lunch. Maybe the coaches don’t have the correct change or you need to figure out how to split the money up with the referees when you don’t have the right combination of smaller bills. -
Eyewear & accessories – Early in my career, I was working a heated youth match when the ball and my face had an unexpected meeting. This contact broke my glasses. After a stoppage of play, I ran off the field and found my nerdy back-ups and continued the match. Now I where contacts, but during a windy tournament I was working next to a baseball diamond and got some dirt under my contact. I was forced to remove my contacts and put on my nerdy glasses again to finish the match. Contacts are great but don’t forget to bring some spares, some solution, a small mirror and never forget those nerdy back-up glasses. -
Garbage Bag – OK. Now you have all the bare essentials crammed into that tiny gym bag. You are about to run the middle of a great match confident that you have any items that you may need, when the rains come. All my goodies, getting soaked by this rain. Don’t forget to take a long a full sized garbage bag. Stick your bag, and your assistants stuff too, into the garbage bag and tie off the end. Life is good. During a recreational game some years ago, I found a very different use for my garbage bag. During warm-ups on these fields behind a local elementary school, one team of girls suddenly began squealing. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that there was a dead, half-composed animal in front of the goalmouth. I was able to remove the carcass with the help of my trusty garbage bag and the game continued without incident. The Nice to Haves: Now that you have the ten essentials items for your referee kit, lets consider some items that are nice to have but not essential. -
Bag – Like most everyone else, I started off with the classic cloth gym bag with one big zipper that opens the entire bag. Now, I have a nice, sturdy, leather-like bag with my name on it. It has multiple zippered sections. Each thing has its rightful place and when I need it, I know where it is. My buddies jokingly call it “my body bag” due to its size, but I am never at a loss for something I need. -
Medications – As you get older and your body begins to creak, some medication taken preventatively can help the day and your game go better. I carry a bottle of Aleve and some sports cream in my bag. You may need to carry an inhaler or other important medications. -
Pump with needle and pressure gauge – One of the tasks of the referee is to inspect and approve the game ball(s). About 75% of time, they need some level of adjustment. I have found it easier and simpler for me to pump the balls up rather than pass them back and forth with the coaches until the right pressure is established. A gauge is a good idea to get the pressure right. I have had players complain that the ball is too soft or too hard but they can not argue with a gauge. -
Wet wipes – I carry wet wipes for those hot days to help freshen up and wipe away the crusty sweat off my hands and face. It is not a shower, but it is amazing how refreshing it feels. -
Zip strips – Carrying a few of these handy strips are great for fixing ill-hung nets. They are quick and easy and save you from wasting large amounts of the precious duct tape. -
Alternate Jerseys in long and short sleeve versions – As you advance in the sport, you find the need for more and more options for jerseys. College has 3 jerseys, NFHS has at least two options, and the USSF has 3 options. With each of these options are long and short-sleeved jerseys. It does not take long to have a large collection of jerseys. -
Alternate shoes – Just as players often carry more than one style of shoes, referees may also find this to be helpful. Cleats are great for muddy and wet conditions to assure firm footing but they will absolute kill your poor feet on a hard sun-baked pitch. Have a spare set of turf shoes or indoor shoes can allow you to change to the right equipment for the job. -
Spare socks – Pretty early, I discovered the need for spare socks. After working a couple of games in a local tournament with some veteran referees, we ventured to the referee tent to relax until the afternoon session. My feet were cold and clammy from the early morning rain which was now gone. As I looked at my experienced teammates, they were changing into dry comfortable socks ready to take on the afternoon in comfort. -
Sandals – On the same day, I saw those same veterans reach into their large referee bags and pull out some sandals. I, on the other hand, was gingerly tiptoeing around the tent in my barefeet as my socks hung to dry. -
Foul weather clothing – Since soccer is played in all kinds of weather, being prepared for foul weather is important. A simple pair of gloves can make a tremendous difference on a cool day. A warm hat is important for half-time and post-game. I own a rain jersey. I seldom use it for rain but it works wonderfully under my regular jersey as a windbreaker. I found that I can referee very comfortably in quite cold weather with this combination. -
Candy Bar – It’s half-time and the concession stand is nowhere to be found. You are tired and need a little boost. For such situations, I keep Power-Bars in my bag. They are full of sugar and carbohydrates yet are virtually indestructible. They don’t get gooey in the heat and don’t shatter in the cold. They have even improved the flavor. Don’t like them. Try something else that meets your needs. It can be the difference between having fun and waiting for the minutes to pass. -
Warm-ups – Beyond the warmth, a nice set of warm-ups can provide an impression of professionalism. Entering a stadium dressed in your USSF or NISOA warm-up with your teammates and inspecting the field, let all those watching that you take your job seriously and professionally. The Luxuries: Finally, here are some items that are just plain luxuries. -
Shoe bag – Shoe bags are great when your shoes are wet or muddy and you don’t want to put them in your bag or even your car. A shoe bag allows you to get them home without risk of making everything else dirty or stinky. -
Cell phone – This luxury is very important if you have someone else waiting on you when you pick up the last-minute game or you go into the second overtime period. A cell phone could have been the difference between me coming home to a nice meal or to changed locks. -
Clothing organizers – I recently bought these and love them. I bought a set for short sleeve jerseys and a set for long sleeve jerseys. They allow you to fold up the jerseys and pack them neatly into your bag without them wadding up in the corner of your bag. -
Pocketknife – I carry a small Leatherman knife complete with a screwdriver and small pair of scissors. These have done everything from fix glasses to cut medical tape, to many other small jobs. -
Sewing kit – The small sewing kits that are given out on overseas airline flights or are used for camping can be helpful to repair tears in jerseys or more likely darn those darn socks. -
Shoe polish & accessories – Shoe polish is important to show a level of professionalism in your appearance. Polishing or brushing your shoes is a common task during off-games in the referee tent. Today, there are small polish saturated sponges that are great for quick simple touch-ups without the mess or inconvenience. -
Game report forms, schedules, maps, telephone numbers – I carry a small three-ring notebook with blank game reports, my game schedule, maps to fields, telephone numbers, and tournament rules. -
Rulebooks – In the folder of the notebook, I have the rulebooks for the various leagues that I referee. I try to never get them out on the pitch but I do like having them for discussions before and after the game. So the next time you see an experienced referee followed by a small mule train laden with packs, he is not headed for the Grand Canyon. He is just headed to the pitch to do his job. Who knows, he might let you ride out there on the back of his favorite mule. Brian Goodlander
Brian Goodlander is a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, a high school referee, and a National Referee for Soccer Association forYouth (SAY) in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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The Job is Not Over Until the Paperwork is Done
by Brian Goodlander - (published in Referee Magazine) - 10/00
Like many other jobs, refereeing has it’s high points and it’s low points. The high points are when you get the great assignment and perform with excellence to prove that you deserved the assignment. The low points are often the paperwork that comes after the match is over. Paperwork for referees comes in a multitude of forms. Game Reports are often required for matches. Ejection or Send-Off Reports are common in high school and collegiate matches. Incident Reports are often required for recording unusual or dangerous events.
Game Reports - Many games do not require formal reports. They may use different forms in different leagues and in different soccer organizations. Some leagues have a game card that must be filled out and signed by coaches after every match. Other leagues do not require any sort of game card or report.
A report that I perform after every match is a game log. In this game log I track what teams played, the level of the match, the date, the sex of the teams, and what referees I worked with during the match. I keep this information on a searchable spreadsheet and can tell you in moments how many U15 girls USSF matches I performed in 1998 or any other combination. It is not important to keep your log on a computer, but keeping track of the games you have worked is important when you go for an upgrade, apply for a tournament, or want to “brag” to your friends about the number and level of games you have worked.
Amateur and Professional USSF matches require a Game Report with every match. The USSF has a Game Report form that is very well written and relatively easy to use. There are a few basic pointers to filling this form out well. Be brief, clear, legible, use appropriate language, do not include opinions, and be complete. The form is a good form but a form nonetheless. Therefore it is important that you are brief and to the point. Do not use long sentences for information that can be conveyed in a few words. Clarity is a necessity to drive understanding and goes hand-in-hand with being brief. If the report is illegible when received at the main office, it will serve no good to you, the teams involved, or to the Federation. Use the proper terms when filling out this report. If you cautioned someone don’t say it was because he did something stupid. Say that it was due to unsporting behavior or reckless behavior. Your job in filling out this report is to provide information, not give your opinion on how the information should be used. Finally, fill in all the needed information completely. If you require additional room to convey additional information about a specific incident, the USSF has a supplemental report for that purpose. An assessor once told me that it may be helpful to fill out one of these Game Reports for each match I perform whether it is required or not. The associated information is available if needed and in the process I would become proficient at completing Game Reports. This is excellent advise that I regret I have not followed. Consider it.
Send-Off/Ejection Reports - The National Federation of High Schools and the NCAA both require a report to be filed with the main office in the event that a player or coach is sent-off. This allows the Federation or Association to know that a serious incident has occurred and that the referee has responded. It also provides a medium for the school to provide their perspective to the Federation or Association. The Federation or Association can now respond to the send-off fully armed with all the information they need to act fairly and justly towards the sent-off coach or player. Similar to the USSF requirements, this report should be filled out completely and in a timely fashion following the match.
Incident Report - An Incident Report is probably the most important report that a referee can fill out. Why is the Incident Report so important? Because this is often your official record of your account of the incident. The incident could have been a serious injury or a situation that may result in prosecution against you. By having the report written, dated and signed the information locks the event in time. During the 2000 National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mel Narol, Sports Attorney, provided some excellent information about the whens and whats of writing incident reports related to serious injuries. Mr. Narol stated that three things are need to be done by the referees when they are involved in a match with a serious injury. (1) Record it. Who was involved? Get names, if possible. When did it happen? The 67th minute during a corner kick, for example. What happened? Describe the event using the reporting criteria stated above. Where did it happen? What field, in what city, and where on the field did it occur? Were there any witnesses? It is best to get the names and phone numbers of both friendly and unfriendly witnesses. (2) Send it. Send a copy of your incident report to your local association, particularly if their secretary maintains such records for the association members. Send a copy to the league for their information. Send a copy to any state associations that may need the information. If it is a high school or collegiate match, send a copy to both schools. Finally, if the incident was a truly serious incident and you are a member, send a copy to NASO. (3) Save it. It is critical that you save the report for any litigation that may occur. Remember, when dealing with minors the statute of limitations is 2-3 years after the age of 18 (varies from state to state). That means if the event occurred in a U-9 match, you need to save the report until that player is 20-21 years old or 12-13 years from the incident. Mr. Narol also reminded all in attendance that it is NOT your job to deal with an injury. The only exception is if it is a life-threatening situation that you are qualified to handle.
Nobody enjoys paperwork but it is a necessary evil, and if you took a match assignment, that assignment is not over until the reports are written and sent to the proper administrators
Brian Goodlander is a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, a high school referee, and a National Referee for Soccer Association forYouth (SAY) in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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Why Officiate?
by Brian Goodlander (used with permission) I am frequently asked why I officiate. Why do I put up with inconveniences that it imposes upon my family? Why do I keep coming back when I know that there will always be an irate player, coach or fan? Why do I take that abuse? I and my fellow officials have many reasons for officiating. These reasons range from a love of the game, the needs of the players, physical fitness, personal challenge, and to even a few spending bucks. Love of the game - When confronted with the question as to why they officiate, many reply that they do it for the love of the game. They realize that the game can not be played fairly and safely without the officials on the field or court. Many will admit that they are not so very virtuous that they do it just for the game, they also officiate so that they can be near (very near) the game. Perhaps they grew up playing the game or just always wanted to be a part of the game. Officiating allows an individual to be involved in many competitive matches that they may not otherwise experience as a player or as a fan. The perspective of an official is different than anyone else in the game. They must be fair and just yet flexible and tolerant.
Physical Fitness - Many officials enjoy the physical activity that is so critical to quality officiating. Without officiating the couch calls them and the potato chips and drinks scream to be eaten. Every good official realizes that the official of a competitive match needs to be as fit as the participants. While we may not always be as skilled, as fast, or as nimble, we must be a student of the game, understand the strategies of the game, and it is of paramount importance that we are physically able to be in the right position during that critical point at the end of a game. Many officials use their early season matches to find their fitness. I believe that these officials are cheating themselves and the players. An effective, responsible official maintains his or her fitness throughout the season and works in the off-season to keep in shape.
Personal Challenge - The primary reason I enjoy officiating and continue to come back night after night is that I revel in the personal challenge of officiating. When the insanity of a highly contested match reaches a fevered pitch, can I meet the challenge of being calm and rational and not get too caught up in the emotions of the moment? I endeavor to meet the personal challenge presented by the physical but skilled player who pushes the limits of the rules of the game. When do I use my whistle? When do I let the player play? Another challenge is the clamor that surrounds even the calmest game. Can I face the unruly coach or the uneducated fan with a smile or an understanding comment? When do I stop being understanding and tolerant and respond with the necessary disciplinary action? This personal challenge to my patience, officiating skill, and refusal to fall into emotional traps are what keeps me coming back.
Money - While I enjoy the money that I make for officiating, I can not say that it is anywhere close to the reason I officiate. Quite frankly, most of us make more in our normal careers in a day than we can make in a week officiating. Many of us use this money as extra money to support our hobbies, buy some things for the family, take a special vacation, or just enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle by eating out more often or other small luxuries. I have met some officials who officiate primarily as a source of income. They tend to be the less effective officials and just seem to enjoy officiating less than those who do it for fun.
Whatever your reason for officiating, it needs to be fulfilling and rewarding. The game can not continue with officials. The players can not expect to play in a fair and safe environment without officials. You will likely never find another hobby with as many personal challenges. You can even make some money to treat yourself or your loved ones.
Brian Goodlander is a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, a high school referee, and a National Referee for Soccer Association forYouth (SAY) in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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How Does This Happen?- The Physical and Psychological Dynamics of Crowd Behavior
by Brian Goodlander -
(published in Referee Magazine) - 10/00 I am not a psychiatrist. But, I am a soccer referee, so I must be crazy. At least that is what many friends and family members tell me. Using the well-established analogy that it takes one to know one, I must be qualified to discuss unusual human behavior. With this qualification and after a long high school season, I started to discover some interesting dynamics at soccer matches that can be broken into two simple categories: (1) the physical and (2) psychological dynamics of crowd behavior The physical dynamics are associated with the human senses, primarily sight. How many times have you been working as an Assistant Referee and faced an easy, no-doubt off-side call, raised your flag and have everyone in the area react with extreme disbelief. This is usually followed by helpful instructions from well-intended, but biased observers. These instructions range from “It’s when the ball is kicked!” to “Are you watching the same game?” In utter amazement you are dumbfounded by this harassment following a simple off-side call. This outburst can not be explained only by a general lack of education in the rules of soccer and the art of refereeing but also by the physical dynamics of the crowd. Fans, bench players, and coaches watch the game of soccer by following the ball. Field players and referees watch the ball but also predict where the ball is going next before the ball is kicked or headed and their eyes are already there before the ball. In the off-side situation, the fans are following the player with the ball at his feet. The Assistant Referee is facing the field even with the second to last defender and determining if there is a likely opportunity for an offensive player to be in the off-side position. The attacker kicks the ball. The fans follow the ball through the air. The Assistant Referee hears the kick, notes that there is a player in the off-side position and when that player becomes involved in the play, the Assistant Referee raises his flag to indicate off-side. Meanwhile, the defenders rush back to protect their goal and pass the off-side attacker while the ball is in flight. The fans who were studiously following the ball watch the ball fall to the feet of the attacker who is surrounded by defenders and are amazed to see the flag raised. This is an example of the physical dynamics of crowd behavior. Another physical dynamic is positioning. The game of soccer is a free-flowing game that ebbs and flows back and forth across the green grass of the pitch. The referee team is tested physically by moving with these ebbs and flows of the game. The fans, bench players, and coaches are limited in their ability to move with the game. The reference point is basically fixed. Often, the fans are placed in tiered seating that allows for a good overall view of the game despite their restricted movement. The problem is that this raised seating removes much of the perspective from the game at field level. Balls that are kicked straight up look like they are moving to one side or another, distances seem closer, and players look smaller and less intimidating. Most importantly, the fans can not see the expressions on the faces and in the eyes of the players. The referee team has the luxury to be able to move to obtain the proper perspective to see each play but the added complication of having so much visual stimuli (action, color, players, other officials, fan movement, etc.) that it is often difficult to either be in the right position or to see the proper event when it occurs. With these limitations in mind, let’s revisit our off-side situation. The Assistant Referee must first be sure that the player is in an off-side position prior to the pass and then be sure that the player is involved in the play. The stationary observers (fans, coaches, bench players) are likely not located even with the second to last defender and will have their judgment skewed by the angle that they see the play. The few number of observers that are in the right location and not watching the ball fly through the air are more likely limited by the perspective of their set position to really judge the level of involvement of the player in the play. This is another example of the physical dynamics of a crowd. The psychological dynamics of a crowd often act as the fuel to feed the fire of their misunderstanding of the physical dynamics. One example of a psychological dynamic is the parent on the sideline watching their youngster play in a challenging match. These parents usually have radar lock on their child throughout their entire playing time. The see every push, every attempted trip, every impedance that the player may endure during this time. The intensity of these “fouls” are increased by their natural protectiveness and perceived lack of safety of their child. The referee team is chartered to watch every one of the 22 players on the field and spend the bulk of their time focused on the point of attack. This lack of attention to their “baby” and the intensification of “fouls” result in anxiety in the parent that wells up until they finally MUST express it. If the game is a critical game for the team, maybe a tournament final or a rivalry, the anxiety of all the observers is usually much higher. The fans are anxious about the play of their favorite player or their child. The coach is worried about the outcome and the effect of the win or loss on his/her position as coach. The bench players are anxious about the performance of their teammates, the success of their team, and the prospective of how they may be involved in the final decision. All this anxiety is focused on success for the team. This focus is so intense that it becomes blinding. Every play, every foul becomes paramount. Cheers are screamed when the foul is called in their team’s favor. Catcalls are screamed when they are not called in their team’s favor. The observers are pushing their will to the field of play in hopes that it will create an advantage for their team. The observers’ intense focus and desire for a positive situation for their team trick their mind into seeing the play in a manner that helps their team. They truly believe that they saw the foul properly and the Referee’s decision must be wrong. The referee team’s job is to be impartial, to see the game fairly, and to administer the rules in a fair and just manner. Fifty percent of the observers will disagree with almost every call made during an intense match. This psychological dynamic of a crowd is the spark that sets off the fury and madness that occurs during soccer matches. When the physical and psychological dynamics are combined in the frenzy of hard, physically challenging match, the anxiety and stress in the observers is great. They scream and yell with great emotion. This emotion is felt by the players on the field and they are directed by this emotion. If the screams and yells are positive words of encouragement, they play will more intensity but with control. If the screams and yells are negative and destructive towards their play, towards the coaching staff, towards the other team, or towards the referee team, the field players will play with more intensity but it could be mixed with recklessness and violence. How many times have you noted that players that have a calm coach and calm fans play in a calm, professional manner and players with an abusive and disrespectful coach and fans play with fury and abuse? It is in this explosive environment that the referee team MUST remain calm and professional. They must maintain their decorum and the respect for the game. Fouls must be called confidently and with full conviction. Conversations with players and observers must be limited and done with respect and with a calm confident voice. Serious or violent fouls must be dealt with quickly and with appropriate consequences. This is how the referee team survives and the game is allowed to progress when the physical and psychological dynamics of a crowd come to boil.
Brian Goodlander is a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, a high school referee, and a National Referee for Soccer Association forYouth (SAY) in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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Staying Constructive While on the Sidelines
by Brian Goodlander - (published in Referee Magazine)- 7/00
During my recovery from some recent arthroscopic knee surgery, I began to consider how an active official like myself can not only stay close to the game I love but also be constructively active while sitting on the sidelines. My answer was that you do not necessarily need to be on the pitch to bring something to the game. There are things that you can do that strengthen your own skills and the skills of those around you. To strengthen your own skills and knowledge of the game, become a student in your extra time that would have been spent on the field. Set some time aside to review The Laws of the Game. Don’t try to read it from cover to cover. Attack the rule book in small digestible pieces. Review Fouls and Misconduct one day and maybe switch to Offside another day. This can be done while you are either stuck in bed or the family room couch. Another constructive thing to do is to watch matches on TV or videotape. I prefer videotape since you can rewind and take multiple looks at fouls and plays to evaluate what decision you would make. When watching these matches, try watching some as a referee and follow the center and his assistants. Pay special attention to the subtle communications within the referee team. Look at the mechanics, the presentation, the delivery of the caution or send-off, the small word with the player. Next, watch some of the games as a player, especially if you have never played. What formation are they using? Is one team’s formation different than the other teams? Where are the attacks coming from? Who is the key player and what special skills does he or she bring to the game? Is there a designated enforcer on one of the teams? How do the attacks develop? Does one team slowly build an attack with solid passing, continually probing for an opening? Does the other team depend on the speed of their attackers to generate one-on-one situations in a counterattack? Finally, watch some of the games just for entertainment! As your recovery improves and you become more mobile, do yourself a favor, go outside and work those poor muscles. Visit the local fields and watch some more games. Don’t just go watch your buddies watch the games that you would have been working. I suggest that you go watch a variety of games. Watch the short-sided youth games. Things happen in those games that happen in no other games in the world! Here is where your knowledge and ability to apply some of the more obscure Rules of the Game comes into play. I like to watch them to remember why the game is played - for enjoyment! For the enjoyment of the players, the fans, and the referees. I also suggest that you watch some games that are of a level a little higher than your comfort level. Get a feel for the pace and action of the game. How is it different than what you are accustom to? What would you have to do to be able to work this level? How far away is your center in one of these games? When at these games, don’t forget to look away from the fields. Feel the excitement. Listen to the roars of the crowd. Smell the hot dogs (Don’t eat them. Remember you are less active right now.). Enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine. Now it’s time to give back to the game. Work with your local club or association. Ask if there are some tasks that you may have always taken for granted that need to be done. Maybe you can assist with the organization of an upcoming tournament. Maybe the grounds crew needs some help lining fields. Is there a young and up and coming referee that you could show the ropes and help them improve their skills? I strongly suggest that you take the opportunity to become either an assessor or an instructor. My personal preference is to first become an assessor then an instructor. I like this order since an assessor is the purest instructor. He instructs with immediate feedback at the point where the work is performed. I spent much of my recovery period working on my assessment skills by performing multiple Development and Guidance (D&G) assessments. These are intended as friendly unofficial feedback to the referee team and as an opportunity for the assessor to refine their assessment techniques. As an instructor you will need to refine your presentation skills and find effective ways to deliver the rules of the game to a large group of people in a manner that will engage them into the learning process. No easy task. Just as you spend some of your spare time reviewing the Laws of the Game for later application, the new referees are learning many of them for the first time. Be patient and use helpful examples, not just cool war stories. Just because you are restrained to the sidelines of the game, you don’t have to divorce yourself from the game. Stay involved in a constructive manner that benefits you, the others around you, and the game itself. You should be a better referee when you finally get back on the pitch with your whistle or flag in hand.
Brian Goodlander is a referee for Soccer for American Youth (SAY), a USSF Grade 7 referee and an assessor, and High School in Cincinnati. He is also a board member of the South West Ohio Soccer Officials Association (SWOSOA).
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What Flips Your Switch? by Brian Goodlander - (published in Referee Magazine) - 7/00 “Hey Ref! Call it both ways!”, “Aaa, Come on!”, “Buy some | |
