So I did my first CR alone. It was just a scrimmage. Before I've either been AR or had ARs with usually a more senior guy or gal to mentor. Or it was AYSO or Extras with a parent linesman (which always posed other issues such linesman making incorrect offside calls say for example on a throw in and having to bring them along). Or it was myself as a parent doing just a half for my son's team. Or it was with the little ones that I can still outrun and their built out line and the offside line isn't a big deal. But this was my first time solo for the entire game without the build out line.
Wow it's hard. Getting that positioning right is very difficult....if you aren't near the sideline it's tough to see whether the ball completely exits the field of play particularly in early morning light and then you are going to be out of position to see the offside line or any fouls committed in the center. Particularly tough is when the shot is taken because you are watching to see: a) if it goes in, b) if it doesn't if anyone touches it to make a goalkick v. corner, c) if the keeper has it under control, and d) if there's anyone offside for the rebound (that last one was very hard to remember to watch). I think I did o.k. for my first time. My proudest moment was when a loose ball went ahead of a striker chasing it down, keeper held his line, but the parents were yelling "offside"...I held my whistle until the striker made an attempt to play the ball despite the parents yelling for an "offside ref", and as it was just a friendly explained that I had it but needed to wait for an attempt to play by the striker. My biggest question mark was two players running side by side with the ball....I'm behind them trying to keep up (12 year olds are fast man) and can't tell who kicks it loose to the goalkeeper....one side line says illegal backpass and the other says they didn't touch it. ^\_?)_/^.
In any case new found respect for my seniors who are required to ref these guys without linesmen. Power to you....it's hard and almost impossible to correctly call the offside line. For that reason, I think even the AYSO games are easier since you at least don't have to worry about the sideline with a parent AR, even if the rec parents tend to be crazier than the club parents. In any case....respect.
Wow it's hard. Getting that positioning right is very difficult....if you aren't near the sideline it's tough to see whether the ball completely exits the field of play particularly in early morning light and then you are going to be out of position to see the offside line or any fouls committed in the center. Particularly tough is when the shot is taken because you are watching to see: a) if it goes in, b) if it doesn't if anyone touches it to make a goalkick v. corner, c) if the keeper has it under control, and d) if there's anyone offside for the rebound (that last one was very hard to remember to watch). I think I did o.k. for my first time. My proudest moment was when a loose ball went ahead of a striker chasing it down, keeper held his line, but the parents were yelling "offside"...I held my whistle until the striker made an attempt to play the ball despite the parents yelling for an "offside ref", and as it was just a friendly explained that I had it but needed to wait for an attempt to play by the striker. My biggest question mark was two players running side by side with the ball....I'm behind them trying to keep up (12 year olds are fast man) and can't tell who kicks it loose to the goalkeeper....one side line says illegal backpass and the other says they didn't touch it. ^\_?)_/^.
In any case new found respect for my seniors who are required to ref these guys without linesmen. Power to you....it's hard and almost impossible to correctly call the offside line. For that reason, I think even the AYSO games are easier since you at least don't have to worry about the sideline with a parent AR, even if the rec parents tend to be crazier than the club parents. In any case....respect.