The next day was one where I was kind of nervous. We were now going to center matches and so the stakes were a little higher. As I was observing a couple of previous matches, I saw that some of the centers were letting play go on more than what I normally do. At that moment I decided that I was going to let them play when I was in the center since that was what most of these others were doing. It turned out to be a mistake. The reason it was a mistake was because I was then not able to call my game and was taking longer to determine if it was a foul that I was not going to call that I would normally call. Then they started flopping and trying to buy fouls because I must have been all over the place with fouls. Let's just say it was unfortunate. Lesson learned for sure. And it was really hard to reign them in after because they did not know what type of game I was going to officiate.
In the second match, where I was an AR, the center decided to do the opposite. Call a tight game and ease up if needed. Turned out to be a better thing to do instead of the other way around. So if nothing else, ref your match as you see fit. Then make small adjustments accordingly, but at the end of the day, at least you can live with yourself after the match it over. The feeling I had that second night was terrible. I felt like I let the kids down and it was because I had.
At the same time, some kids were really letting me have it. Saying that I was the worst referee they had ever had, that I could not recognize what a foul was and what a flop was, etc. I was so out of my element that I should have started carding for such snide remarks but I felt like I couldn't. Things got better though for the other two days, so don't feel too bad for me.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Alabama Showcase Part 1
Don't know how long this series will be, but let me go day by day, so possibly 3-4 entries. We set off as a group of 4 down to Birmingham. 725 miles is a long way to go to ref some soccer matches but it was fun. We arrived late that evening and had to work 2 games on that Thursday through Sunday.
On Thursday I had the chance to work the National League games, U16 boys. Did an AR and got to do my first 4th official. I enjoyed that one. It was cold, but under the lights, it was fun. One coach did not know the rules and tried to have a kid reenter the field of play during the same half, which was a no-no for this event. He also tested the limits of what was acceptable the whole time but was a good handful, if you will.
In the second half of that match (center was a 5, AR1 was a 6 and AR2 was an 8), AR1 is deep in his own half and a ball goes out of play close to me on the sideline. I clearly see if go off of white for a blue throw (10 minutes left in a 1-1 game) but AR1 points the other way. I silently indicate to the center that it should go the other way as a way of suggestion. He comes over and verifies (I was 5 feet away, so it made sense) and goes with my call (against the chatty coach and so he goes ballistic). 3 minutes later, similar thing happens, but I point the other way, again silently, and the center does not see me, so the coach goes crazy one more time.
Being the 4th basically was summed up as letting them vent and then putting them back in their place (not stepping onto the field and sitting down after giving instructions, etc).
So that way day 1. More to come on the other days soon.
On Thursday I had the chance to work the National League games, U16 boys. Did an AR and got to do my first 4th official. I enjoyed that one. It was cold, but under the lights, it was fun. One coach did not know the rules and tried to have a kid reenter the field of play during the same half, which was a no-no for this event. He also tested the limits of what was acceptable the whole time but was a good handful, if you will.
In the second half of that match (center was a 5, AR1 was a 6 and AR2 was an 8), AR1 is deep in his own half and a ball goes out of play close to me on the sideline. I clearly see if go off of white for a blue throw (10 minutes left in a 1-1 game) but AR1 points the other way. I silently indicate to the center that it should go the other way as a way of suggestion. He comes over and verifies (I was 5 feet away, so it made sense) and goes with my call (against the chatty coach and so he goes ballistic). 3 minutes later, similar thing happens, but I point the other way, again silently, and the center does not see me, so the coach goes crazy one more time.
Being the 4th basically was summed up as letting them vent and then putting them back in their place (not stepping onto the field and sitting down after giving instructions, etc).
So that way day 1. More to come on the other days soon.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
In Alabama
Really looking forward to this college showcase tournament we are participating in. We arrived last night and are heading to the fields shortly. I hope to have impressions of what I see while out here for these next 4 days.
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