The last of the checks rolled in today, the tournament I had 8 mini matches on Saturday and then was hurt on Sunday. The total was $140 for that one, and compared to the $125 from the other tournament where I was just backup, it does not measure up in terms of compensation. Still, in the end, my season's haul was just north of $1,000 in 39 matches with comes out to about $26 per match but that average is skewed due to the fact that $125 were for being a backup ref. Still you take what you can get, right?
I centered 21 matches and was an AR in 18 of them. I only worked as a center in 2 matches where I had a full crew at my disposal. That is something I will need to improve on next season. It was interesting to do the U-13 match with a full crew, that was probably the best game I worked, because it was a challenge. I certainly want to work more of those matches for this season, but I do enjoy the U9 U10 crowd as well, as they are not yet jaded and not trying to play you as much.
As far as I can recall, I pulled 4 yellow cards, none during the regular season, but rather at tournaments. No reds this season, but I am sure that time will come. I will post more tidbits here and there during the off season and get to some of your comments, questions as they roll in.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Pleasant surprise
Sometimes, not reffing is just as lucrative as actually reffing. I was a backup referee this past weekend and did not get a chance to actually manage any of the matches, but I was basically on call for 5 hours or so each day. I did not expect much in terms of payment because it was not much in terms of work but yesterday I received a check for $125 for such services. Not bad given the fact that I think the check I will get soon, for the 8 mini matches I had the week before, will probably be that much as well, though given this payoff, it should be more. I will give an update when that check arrives.
And I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
And I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
First Season in the books
It is done, my first season was completed this last weekend with no matches to referee. All referees that were scheduled for the two fields I was the backup for, showed up. Interestingly enough, I did have to lend out my flags to one of the referees and then lend him some money since he forgot his wallet and did not know that matches had built in breakes in between then (to the tune of an hour and a half between match #2 and match #3 on each field).
I still expect to make around $80 for the efforts and I got to watch some good refereeing by some of those involved. Over the course of the winter, I plan to write up more of my experiences with the equipment itself as well as posting some pictures of the things I use to referee. I would love to hear some of your comments or suggestions on how to make it better.
Also, being the statistical enthusiast that I am, I will post some more details as to how much I made and all the matches I did, once the final numbers are counted.
I still expect to make around $80 for the efforts and I got to watch some good refereeing by some of those involved. Over the course of the winter, I plan to write up more of my experiences with the equipment itself as well as posting some pictures of the things I use to referee. I would love to hear some of your comments or suggestions on how to make it better.
Also, being the statistical enthusiast that I am, I will post some more details as to how much I made and all the matches I did, once the final numbers are counted.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Stand-by in the cold
Oh boy was it freezing this morning. I arrived at 8am at the fields where I was a stand-by referee. I originally was not too happy that I was only selected to be a stand-in instead of a referee with assigned matches, but after feeling the blistering cold, the wind that cut right through you, I was more than happy to be able to sit in the car and wait to see if any of refs outside suffered from hypothermia.
The matches I did observe were well played for the most part. My son's team did very well with a 7-0 win and then an 8-0 win. But the really funny parts were the following:
- The first one was a jolly old referee. He did my son's first match and was a great example of how to work games without taking it too seriously but at the same time resepecting the kids and the parents. He had some dialogue with the crowd as well as explaining all the rules/decisions concisely when needed. And at the end of the game, he was leaving the field with us, so he turns to my daughter and asked her if would like a pencil. She said yes and he pulled out a soccer themed pencil. He gave a couple more out to the kids that were still around. That is why I called him a jolly old referee. Just a fun guy to be around. I am not sure if he ever works U19 matches or if it is mostly younger kids, but those tactics will not fly after a certain age group.
- The other interesting thing was that during the break between the first round of matches and the second, I was able to drive up to Walmart to buy some gloves and a knit hat as I did not have any and it was desperately needed. As I was walking up to pay I overheard a woman talking on the cell and her conversation went very much like this..."the girls played well but they were beaten, I do not remember the final score but it was not close. And the worst part was the referee, he called everything in favor of the other girls..." and then she was gone. I wanted to stop the woman and ask her if she really thought that the referee had that much ill will against a group of girls he does not even know. I think not!
I will have some more tomorrow, but the bad part is that my knee is acting up so I may just have to bite the bullet and go to get it looked at.
The matches I did observe were well played for the most part. My son's team did very well with a 7-0 win and then an 8-0 win. But the really funny parts were the following:
- The first one was a jolly old referee. He did my son's first match and was a great example of how to work games without taking it too seriously but at the same time resepecting the kids and the parents. He had some dialogue with the crowd as well as explaining all the rules/decisions concisely when needed. And at the end of the game, he was leaving the field with us, so he turns to my daughter and asked her if would like a pencil. She said yes and he pulled out a soccer themed pencil. He gave a couple more out to the kids that were still around. That is why I called him a jolly old referee. Just a fun guy to be around. I am not sure if he ever works U19 matches or if it is mostly younger kids, but those tactics will not fly after a certain age group.
- The other interesting thing was that during the break between the first round of matches and the second, I was able to drive up to Walmart to buy some gloves and a knit hat as I did not have any and it was desperately needed. As I was walking up to pay I overheard a woman talking on the cell and her conversation went very much like this..."the girls played well but they were beaten, I do not remember the final score but it was not close. And the worst part was the referee, he called everything in favor of the other girls..." and then she was gone. I wanted to stop the woman and ask her if she really thought that the referee had that much ill will against a group of girls he does not even know. I think not!
I will have some more tomorrow, but the bad part is that my knee is acting up so I may just have to bite the bullet and go to get it looked at.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Limping out the season
Nowhere close to what I was expecting for the rec tournament I did this weekend. The day started off ok, the rain was held in check for Saturday morning and only scattered sprinkles could be felt. Traffic was not bad heading to the matches, but then I did not expect much at 7:15am on a Saturday morning.
Upon arrival, I see that the teams are arriving and I make my way to the field, but I must go on a tangent/rant. Matches were 25 minutes each with 5 minutes in between matches, so each match was expected to be played in 30 minute intervals. It was certainly impossible to keep that going. After the first match ended at 8:37 (already 7 minutes behind schedule), I knew there was no hope in keeping up with the alloted times. In the end, I was 35 minutes behind schedule when I ended my 8th match, and I have to say that I thought I did a good job.
Anyway, upon arriving, the field coordinator states that there is a big interest in getting the matches played but that I was the final say on if the matches would be played. I looked at the fields and saw that there were some minor puddles, but nothing that looked deep and/or problematic, so I said that we would be able to play.
The field was not in the best of shapes to start, and by the end it was a steaming pot of mud. I pity the referee who came after me. As the matches wore on, I could see that footing might be troublesome to maintain.
In the end, the level was not very good, the girls were all U12 and from rec leagues, so the level of play was not fantastic. The field did not allow for much fluid play and in 8 matches, I had a 2-0, 3 1-0 matches and 4 0-0 matches, not exactly brilliant but given the circumstances, understandable.
On a side note, I am now limping thanks to some misstep I took at some moment between the 5th or 6th match that caused me to run around in pain for the last of match 7 and all of match 8. The field probably contributed to the injury. At this point, it does not seem like a torn MCL or anything close, more like sprained. So not having actual reffing responsabilities next weekend is not a bad thing. At this point, I am happy the season is almost over and ready for the holidays to begin in earnest.
Upon arrival, I see that the teams are arriving and I make my way to the field, but I must go on a tangent/rant. Matches were 25 minutes each with 5 minutes in between matches, so each match was expected to be played in 30 minute intervals. It was certainly impossible to keep that going. After the first match ended at 8:37 (already 7 minutes behind schedule), I knew there was no hope in keeping up with the alloted times. In the end, I was 35 minutes behind schedule when I ended my 8th match, and I have to say that I thought I did a good job.
Anyway, upon arriving, the field coordinator states that there is a big interest in getting the matches played but that I was the final say on if the matches would be played. I looked at the fields and saw that there were some minor puddles, but nothing that looked deep and/or problematic, so I said that we would be able to play.
The field was not in the best of shapes to start, and by the end it was a steaming pot of mud. I pity the referee who came after me. As the matches wore on, I could see that footing might be troublesome to maintain.
In the end, the level was not very good, the girls were all U12 and from rec leagues, so the level of play was not fantastic. The field did not allow for much fluid play and in 8 matches, I had a 2-0, 3 1-0 matches and 4 0-0 matches, not exactly brilliant but given the circumstances, understandable.
On a side note, I am now limping thanks to some misstep I took at some moment between the 5th or 6th match that caused me to run around in pain for the last of match 7 and all of match 8. The field probably contributed to the injury. At this point, it does not seem like a torn MCL or anything close, more like sprained. So not having actual reffing responsabilities next weekend is not a bad thing. At this point, I am happy the season is almost over and ready for the holidays to begin in earnest.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Housekeeping
I realized that the links on the left were not working, so I fixed those and added one link to a blog of another ref who has been at it for a long time now and writes quite a bit as well too. His style is one that I can only hope to emulate and there are hundereds if not thousands of entries. I started reading it a couple of weeks ago and still have not caught up (I am on November of 2006). Refblog.com is the site, just in case.
No silver lining
I spoke too soon regarding these last two tournaments. The first one, starting tomorrow, looks to be a doozy with all the rain we may be getting. It is wet now and cold, so I imagine it will stay that way. I am not really looking forward to it, but I am in too deep at this point. At least I have 8 mini games on Saturday (the equivalent to 4 regular matches) and then Sunday I have 4 more (regular matches). I will tally these up as 8 matches total, though 12 results will be had.
As for the following weekend's tournament, I think I am paying the price of being a relative newbie. I was put in as a Stand-by for the fields where my son is to play. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but beggars can't be choosers, so I will take it and run with it. If I get a match or two, I will be happy but at least I will be able to watch my son's matches without any issues that weekend. More to come as it happens but let's say I do not expect much of anything to come from this tournament. So much for going out with a bang.
As for the following weekend's tournament, I think I am paying the price of being a relative newbie. I was put in as a Stand-by for the fields where my son is to play. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but beggars can't be choosers, so I will take it and run with it. If I get a match or two, I will be happy but at least I will be able to watch my son's matches without any issues that weekend. More to come as it happens but let's say I do not expect much of anything to come from this tournament. So much for going out with a bang.
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