National Cup

Thanks for providing, I was familiar with those. Besides IFAB Circular 11, I didn't see any updates to interpretations other than what is already included in the LOTG "Details of all Law Changes". Are these LOTG changes what is being considered as the big revision? Coachrefparent mentioned a big revision recently, maybe he is referring to the 2018-2019 changes? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGddOBkMp5Dd4_dNtfPdtiyvft6B1rsB/view. Obviously these aren't applicable for a couple months.

As with coaching (where the drills are not the most important thing, their understanding and application is, along with connecting/inspiring players), for referees the LOTG might seem the most important thing but they are not really (of course they are important but for me not top of the list).

Referee understanding and how to interpret/apply the laws is the most important thing, along with how to communicate and relate to players/coaches/parents (see the parallels with coaching?)

As a referee, if you get the communication and game management part right, the laws is the easy bit and your life will be an easier one as a match official.
 
Thanks for providing, I was familiar with those. Besides IFAB Circular 11, I didn't see any updates to interpretations other than what is already included in the LOTG "Details of all Law Changes". Are these LOTG changes what is being considered as the big revision? Coachrefparent mentioned a big revision recently, maybe he is referring to the 2018-2019 changes? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGddOBkMp5Dd4_dNtfPdtiyvft6B1rsB/view. Obviously these aren't applicable for a couple months.
17/18 was the year of the major revisions, with substantial language changes, etc. DOGSO and Offside were revised some of the biggies.
 
IMHO, there if parents/spectators understood a few basics, they would enjoy and understand the game much more:

1) The Laws of the Game require the referee to actually "see" the foul to call the foul. If the referee's vision is blocked or their attention drawn to another area of play, that elbow 20 yards away from the ball and behind the referee will go completely unnoticed by all except the victims parents who's focus is always on their kid. The referee is only permitted to rely on the ARs. Parents and Coaches and Players are excluded from the "review committee."

2) A foul is "careless," "reckless," or "excessive force" play. The corollary is that every player owes a duty of "care" to their opponents. This means that a player can actually get to the ball first, but if that player did so in a careless manner, its a foul. Shouting "she got to the ball first!!!" is evidence of a parent that is uneducated.

3) The Laws of the Game encourage a referee to not call fouls if "trifling" in order to not disrupt the flow of the game. In other words, yes it was careless, but had no impact on the game/play, therefore, we don't call them. What is a trifling foul really depends on a number of factors, but the temperature of the game and skill level of the athletes all play into that consideration. Most of the excitement I hear from the peanut gallery is parents losing their minds at a Referee who isn't calling trifling fouls.

4) The Laws of the Game allow a referee to not call a foul if the fouled team retains possession ... this is called "advantage." A similar concept exists in football, in that a referee throws a flag and allows play to continue, after play is stopped a team can "decline" the penalty. With reckless or excessive force plays, the referee is also empowered to "caution" or "send off" the player minutes after the foul once play stops.

5) "Handling" aka "handball" requires the referee to determine the player "deliberately" acted in a manner to handle the ball. Just because a ball kicked from 10 yards away hits the opponent in the hand does not mean its handling. We look at time to react, skill level, whether the hand was in a natural position, was the player deliberately making themselves bigger, etc.

6) Referees are human and make mistakes. The Laws state "Decisions will be made to the best of the referee`s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’ and will be based on the opinion of the referee who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The decisions of the referee, and all other match officials, must always be respected." The Laws of the Game recognize that the referee is operating with imperfect factual data which forms the Referees opinion. Whatever that decision is/was, is final once play restarts. Soccer is designed to be an imperfect game, its part of the Laws.​
VERY well said!!
 
Thanks for providing, I was familiar with those. Besides IFAB Circular 11, I didn't see any updates to interpretations other than what is already included in the LOTG "Details of all Law Changes". Are these LOTG changes what is being considered as the big revision? Coachrefparent mentioned a big revision recently, maybe he is referring to the 2018-2019 changes? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGddOBkMp5Dd4_dNtfPdtiyvft6B1rsB/view. Obviously these aren't applicable for a couple months.
"The 2016-17 revision of the Laws of the Game was probably the most far-reaching and comprehensive in The IFAB's history. The aim was to make the Laws clearer, more accessible and to ensure they reflect the needs of the modern game.

As with any large-scale revision, there is always a second 'follow up' stage and many of the changes for 2017-18 are clarifications which make the text clearer and/or easier to translate – most are the result of requests from individuals, groups and national FAs from around the world."
Here's the best link I've found for the 2016 changes:
https://intheopinionofthereferee.com/downloads/
 
There seems to be a lot of lip service about safety in club soccer but often very little action. One example from a few weeks ago, the boys were playing futsal at a venue that was like a skating rink. All the kids were slip sliding away, they could run in a straight line but couldn't cut or stop without going down. The guy running the league refused to clean the court (even at half or between games) because he said he did his job by cleaning in the morning and that it was the kids' shoes fault. Ironically, the boys had played earlier in the day at a different venue and their shoes worked great. Sometimes ego gets in the way of common sense decisions about safety.

Ultimately it’s the parents responsibility to look after their kids. If it's not safe for your kid why would you allow them to play?
 
As a bigger guy, (6' 200) I hated the "call every little foul" refs. Was the game safer? Sure but was it funner? Not for me. i was not the fastest on the team, nor did I have the best skills, but when there was a 50/50 ball you or I were going to come off of our feet. I didn't believe in cheap shots but I never backed away from contact and I hate watching a soccer game where refs call every little thing. I firmly believe it is a contact sport. I got my share of yellows over time and a couple reds, but figured that was just a part of the game. I know that goes against the pure "beautiful" game concept, but I think it is one of the reasons it never really catches on here in USA. We are a little more barbaric than European and Latin brethren and want to see some action. If a ref grew up playing that more "blue collar" type game i would imagine it would be difficult for them to understand why all the hubbub from parents and coaches that don't want their little Johnny or Sally hurt. Also just a short look at the league standing seems to show that the teams at the top of their brackets generally have more cards than the teams at the bottom. Aggressiveness, confidence, and risky play sometimes trumps skill.
 
the players dictate what "has to be called" and what can be allowed. it varies of course with age and skill level, but if both teams are good with bumping and banging, than i'm sure not going to take their fun away. lower skill level games you need to keep an eye on more because sometimes when johnny/susie gets muscled off the ball a couple times, he/she wants to box. but higher skilled teams and players know a good strong shoulder charge is part of soccer.
 
Even better if coaches did. Referees receive constant updates as to interpretation, and had a big revision recently. I still run into coaches all the time that simply don't know the rules any better than many parents. But they sure think they do.
(Yes I called the laws rules...)

I had a coach lose his mind yesterday because he thought my referee crew was screwing up the offside calls. The AR's waited until there was active involvement or interference with play by the offside player before raising the flag. The restart was were the infraction occurred and not at the point of the last defender. The coach evidently had not read the LOTG in the past 10 years. His face turned so red from yelling at me that I thought his head was going to explode. I just ignored him and got the game going.
 
Thanks for providing, I was familiar with those. Besides IFAB Circular 11, I didn't see any updates to interpretations other than what is already included in the LOTG "Details of all Law Changes". Are these LOTG changes what is being considered as the big revision? Coachrefparent mentioned a big revision recently, maybe he is referring to the 2018-2019 changes? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGddOBkMp5Dd4_dNtfPdtiyvft6B1rsB/view. Obviously these aren't applicable for a couple months.

We also get US Soccer approved and sanctioned training which includes interpretation during our monthly association meeting and RPD (Referee Professional Development) training. I am not sure if those Power Point presentations are available to the public.
 
I just wanted to give kudos to one of the ref teams we had this weekend. It was a gentleman and two young ladies, the center ref called a very tight game, he didn't let anything go especially the hits after the plays. It was one of the cleanest games I have seen in a long time. The center ref mentioned after the game, that he cares about the safety of the players, which we, as parents, appreciate.....

Hopefully you thanked the referee crew for a job well done. Parents can be quick to tell referees that they suck, ruined the game, were horrible, etc., but rarely tell refs that they did a good job. Some of the newer refs need that confidence boost.

The good refs didn't happen to be a crew on Saturday 21 April at Oceanside for National Cup games? I was working a set of three games with my daughter and another young female referee. All three games went fairly close to flawless with no injuries, only a couple needed yellow cards, and happy coaches, players and spectators. It was one of those days where "The Force was with us." My daughter commented to me on the way home that she had never heard so many positive comments toward the referees even from the losing team coaches and spectators. I could tell the positive comments really boosted her confidence as a center referee. It really was a lot of fun to referee games where 99 percent of the yelling was positive comments and cheering toward the players.
 
Hopefully you thanked the referee crew for a job well done. Parents can be quick to tell referees that they suck, ruined the game, were horrible, etc., but rarely tell refs that they did a good job. Some of the newer refs need that confidence boost.

Yes, I did!! Even joked with him about bringing the beer since one of the other refs at the booth joked if we were family since our parents were giving him much deserved praise after our game. Maybe it was you?!

I always appreciate and thank a good ref team especially if all the players come off the pitch relatively unscathed, it also makes the game more enjoyable to watch.
 
I just wanted to give kudos to one of the ref teams we had this weekend. It was a gentleman and two young ladies, the center ref called a very tight game, he didn't let anything go especially the hits after the plays. It was one of the cleanest games I have seen in a long time. The center ref mentioned after the game, that he cares about the safety of the players, which we, as parents, appreciate.
But then we had a ref team of a gentleman and two young men that let everything fly and lost control of the game. Girls were elbowing and literally pushing with both arms fully extended from behind. One even clocked a girl in the face with her elbow and no call. The AR ref mentioned to us, it doesn't matter how you win, just as long as you win, which tells me they didn't care about safety. Yes, I know soccer is a contact sport and players will get hurt. I understand the tripping and the legit body contact. But hits after the play, elbows in faces (no reason for an elbow to come that high especially if you are going after the ball with your feet) and full arm extensions are not soccer plays.
It is very sad that some take reffing seriously while others take it as "it's just a job" and who could give a crap about what happens on the pitch.

A little political talk to keep in mind is that the referees usually turning up to these games are not often the best ones as Calsouth desires.

Reasons being: travel, time to be there early, and the amount of games are capped.

Referees have lately veen complaining about calsouths lack of respect towards them especially with the coordinators at the tournaments. The constant nit-picking of little details. A black cap is not sufficient anymore because of commercial rights bla bla bla.

Also if a referee shows up 30 mins early instead of 45 they get sent home...like what on earth is wrong with calsouth!!!

The 3 games is not worth it in a financial view especially with game fees we have to pay and the hours we're devoting on that day. Its just gross. Silverlakes is an hr away from me and having to do games there makes me have to get out of the house 2 hrs before kickoff!! And another hr on way back. No thanks.

All this is just a bit of why there has been a higher need for referees during the tournaments.
 
A little political talk to keep in mind is that the referees usually turning up to these games are not often the best ones as Calsouth desires.

Reasons being: travel, time to be there early, and the amount of games are capped.

Referees have lately veen complaining about calsouths lack of respect towards them especially with the coordinators at the tournaments. The constant nit-picking of little details. A black cap is not sufficient anymore because of commercial rights bla bla bla.

Also if a referee shows up 30 mins early instead of 45 they get sent home...like what on earth is wrong with calsouth!!!

The 3 games is not worth it in a financial view especially with game fees we have to pay and the hours we're devoting on that day. Its just gross. Silverlakes is an hr away from me and having to do games there makes me have to get out of the house 2 hrs before kickoff!! And another hr on way back. No thanks.

All this is just a bit of why there has been a higher need for referees during the tournaments.

Unfortunately I have to agree with some of your comments especially the lack of respect because I saw similar things at Oceanside, Ryan, and Galloway. Some, but definitely not all, of these older male referee coordinators need to use some common sense when talking to the referees especially the younger ones. Just about everything that comes out of their mouth is negative. 98-99 percent of the referees are on time, properly complete the paperwork and do a good job on the field, so there is no reason to talk down to them because of the actions of a very few referees.

You can throw in some sexism also. This past State-National Cup season (youngers and olders) I saw the Cal South referee coordinators treat the younger female referees differently than the males of the same age. I overhead (yes I did talk to the male referee) this comment to an 18-22 year old female referee from a 50-60 year old male referee, "Honey, if any of the coaches yell at you just let me know and I will talk to them for you." The female referee was the Center and the older male the AR. Calling her "Honey" is sexist and inappropriate and assuming that she cannot deal with the coaches on her own is just disrespectful. I heard another older referee refer to a young female referee as "sweetie" and yes I did talk to him and reminded him that his use of "sweetie" is unprofessional. I also got to witness my daughter and other female referees get told during check-in that they needed to take their earrings out before they stepped on the field. The reminder is okay if you also tell the male referees that have earrings in, but the males were not told. The second time the same coordinator told my daughter I had to guide her away before she told the grumpy old guy in the beret to F' off. The next weekend it happened again at another field and she asked me to talk with the coordinator. The coordinator did apologize to my daughter and the other female referee.

I also have an hour drive to the fields, but really do not think the money ($200 for three 80-90 minute games) is that bad, especially when I am doing something I enjoy. I just wish the ref coordinators at the sites would pull the sticks out of their butts and be a little more respectful and professional to the referees. If a referee is really screwing up then notify their assigner that the referee is not welcome back.
 
The second time the same coordinator told my daughter I had to guide her away before she told the grumpy old guy in the beret to F' off.

On the other hand, it would have definitely made a lasting impression with him if she had spoken her mind.
 
The Coordinators are always a bit grumpy as they are dealing with a lot of BS, however I really appreciate that they step in and help with the paperwork as the crews are running to try and get the next game going. I had a great coordinator this past weekend that helped with handling a team that was trying to use illegal players. Always had good experiences with the RC's. I am a bit tired of the pre-day speech after now hearing 16 times so far this Spring, however that is part of the gig and I am there for it.
 
Unfortunately I have to agree with some of your comments especially the lack of respect because I saw similar things at Oceanside, Ryan, and Galloway. Some, but definitely not all, of these older male referee coordinators need to use some common sense when talking to the referees especially the younger ones. Just about everything that comes out of their mouth is negative. 98-99 percent of the referees are on time, properly complete the paperwork and do a good job on the field, so there is no reason to talk down to them because of the actions of a very few referees.

You can throw in some sexism also. This past State-National Cup season (youngers and olders) I saw the Cal South referee coordinators treat the younger female referees differently than the males of the same age. I overhead (yes I did talk to the male referee) this comment to an 18-22 year old female referee from a 50-60 year old male referee, "Honey, if any of the coaches yell at you just let me know and I will talk to them for you." The female referee was the Center and the older male the AR. Calling her "Honey" is sexist and inappropriate and assuming that she cannot deal with the coaches on her own is just disrespectful. I heard another older referee refer to a young female referee as "sweetie" and yes I did talk to him and reminded him that his use of "sweetie" is unprofessional. I also got to witness my daughter and other female referees get told during check-in that they needed to take their earrings out before they stepped on the field. The reminder is okay if you also tell the male referees that have earrings in, but the males were not told. The second time the same coordinator told my daughter I had to guide her away before she told the grumpy old guy in the beret to F' off. The next weekend it happened again at another field and she asked me to talk with the coordinator. The coordinator did apologize to my daughter and the other female referee.

I also have an hour drive to the fields, but really do not think the money ($200 for three 80-90 minute games) is that bad, especially when I am doing something I enjoy. I just wish the ref coordinators at the sites would pull the sticks out of their butts and be a little more respectful and professional to the referees. If a referee is really screwing up then notify their assigner that the referee is not welcome back.
In my experience, with only a trifling (see how I used that?) few exceptions, all things being equal, female soccer referees at all ages are overall better referees than their male counterparts. Most are current or ex-competitive players, are confident, and care about their craft.

Oh, and the refs and coordinators that do this are not stuck up, but just a bunch of old impotent geezers that can now only get off by "showing" how much better and experienced they are, bullying the "less experienced". You see it in every field, but they sure seem concentrated in the soccer referee community. They must wake up and instantly start thinking about how they can correct other referees, catch someone in a little known nuance of interpretation, tell them that it's not a penalty box nor a sideline nor hand ball (terms that were universally used when they were in their 20's and 30's) while gently sipping their light brown Folgers.

People that treat women (or any one else) this way are losers that have nothing else going on in their lives, have a low social standing in general society (ie. no real friends or romantic relationships), and thrive on their specialized position to be on a power trip. A bit like a mall cop (or exactly like one). [My apologies to mall cops.]

Too bad you guided her away, he deserved a kick in his shriveled up nuts. Any guy in a beret in a referee uniform in SoCal is a complete douche bag.
 
I had a coach lose his mind yesterday because he thought my referee crew was screwing up the offside calls. The AR's waited until there was active involvement or interference with play by the offside player before raising the flag. The restart was were the infraction occurred and not at the point of the last defender. The coach evidently had not read the LOTG in the past 10 years. His face turned so red from yelling at me that I thought his head was going to explode. I just ignored him and got the game going.

No doubt this is one of the biggest sources of contention. There seem to be so many (not most but a significant minority) ARs who throw the flag up the moment the ball goes forward and anyone is in an offside position it is just maddening. On the other hand you have the constant screaming for offside when the AR is waiting for the involvement or interference. Right up there with playing advantage and "handball" for coach/parent yelling compounded by a bit of inconsistency by different refs. So much fun!
 
No doubt this is one of the biggest sources of contention. There seem to be so many (not most but a significant minority) ARs who throw the flag up the moment the ball goes forward and anyone is in an offside position it is just maddening. On the other hand you have the constant screaming for offside when the AR is waiting for the involvement or interference. Right up there with playing advantage and "handball" for coach/parent yelling compounded by a bit of inconsistency by different refs. So much fun!
My only issue with the new implementation of the offside rule is that it seems to result in a greater possibility of collisions between the goalkeeper and the offside player since the whistle is delayed.
 
My only issue with the new implementation of the offside rule is that it seems to result in a greater possibility of collisions between the goalkeeper and the offside player since the whistle is delayed.

At all of the trainings I have had on offside in the past two years, we were told to blow the whistle early if we thought there was going to be a “hospital ball”. It is tricky because the players are starting to understand the change to the offside call and stop on their own when teammates, spectators, coach or opponents yell for offside. IMHO it is better to blow the whistle and stop play instead of taking a chance of a collision, but I definitely wait longer than I used too. The other thing that players doing is if they know they are offside waiting until the ball is near the goal line before getting close enough to draw the call. This put the other team with an indirect free kick from deep in their own defensive half.
 
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