Interesting letter from SoCal League, re referee issues

[sigmabody]

Related: We had one of "those refs" today. He gave out around 7 yellows to players, most for questioning calls (and none particularly vocally, as far as I could tell; just the standard "common..." type of comment). He double yellow ejected a coach also; the first for coming onto the field to check on a head injury before he was signaled on, and the second for pointing out that they are supposed to check on head injuries, and it was absurd to not allow him to do so. He warned both coaches early for allowing subs to step onto the field before the other players were fully off the field (and he had signaled for players to come on), moved players back less than 5 yards on throw-ins, stopped the game for every free kick, made some pretty obviously bad calls, etc.

I didn't get the sense he was corrupt or anything, to be clear, but he was the type of official that was much more interested in being the most important person on the pitch, than he was allowing the kids to just have a safe and fair game. Based on what I saw of the game before, though (where both coaches were carded for arguing calls and told to not say anything else), this is just how the season is going to go now.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

Almost everybody in our household holds a current ref cert, and continues to use it from time to time when needed when they're not busy doing a million other things. I certainly hope that experience described above is an anomaly rather than the norm. I was just noticing that for the past few weekends as a spectator, we've seen mainly decent referee crews (across both ECNL and lower leagues), and it's been refreshing to watch the games (win or lose), as well as a generally good experience for the players. It's never fun getting beat - but if it feels like you're playing 11v14, it makes for a long afternoon. That said, there was one crew a few weekends ago that was comically incompetent - having a very significant effect on the game. I don't think it was corruption, bias, related to these new rules, or anything other than the fact that they were unquestionably/verifiably terrible.

 

[sigmabody]

I would say from previous years, and tournaments to present, the number of "bad" referees we've had is under 5%, so certainly an anomaly in the past. However, of the games I've observed so far in the fall, it feels more like around 50%.

I'd speculate that in at least some cases, there were bad refs who would make bad calls, get yelled at, and pay more attention (ie: move to get into position better). Now I see more refs walking far away from the play, "flexing their power" on stoppages of play, and just carding anyone who says anything about their incompetence. It's probably the same people; it's just that the new one-sided policies have given them license to ignore complains about their poor performance on the field.

The alternative perspective, though, is that I just notice more of the incompetence which was always there, now that the bad refs are carding people for calling out their bad officiating, whereas before it didn't escalate as much. Parents certainly yelled about calls from the sidelines before, but after the game they usually shrugged it off (as "part of the game"). Now it's more "that terrible power-tripping ref ruined the game".

It's the new policy, though; it's just something people are going to need to get used to, while their kids are playing in SoCal League.

 

[TopesWin]

I would say from previous years, and tournaments to present, the number of "bad" referees we've had is under 5%, so certainly an anomaly in the past. However, of the games I've observed so far in the fall, it feels more like around 50%.

I'd speculate that in at least some cases, there were bad refs who would make bad calls, get yelled at, and pay more attention (ie: move to get into position better). Now I see more refs walking far away from the play, "flexing their power" on stoppages of play, and just carding anyone who says anything about their incompetence. It's probably the same people; it's just that the new one-sided policies have given them license to ignore complains about their poor performance on the field.

The alternative perspective, though, is that I just notice more of the incompetence which was always there, now that the bad refs are carding people for calling out their bad officiating, whereas before it didn't escalate as much. Parents certainly yelled about calls from the sidelines before, but after the game they usually shrugged it off (as "part of the game"). Now it's more "that terrible power-tripping ref ruined the game".

It's the new policy, though; it's just something people are going to need to get used to, while their kids are playing in SoCal League.

another dismal start to a season and you need a scapegoat

 

[SoccerSanDiego]

just an anecdote but I just went on the website to check out ref assignment for ayso opening weekend. Lots of slots open and my kid who is doing his community service hours as a ref got promoted to center (they are desperate for crs that know what they are doing). It will at least for the first games take me off the board too since I have to mentor then. This in a region that is still pretty robust participation wise and has an ayso united club they can force volunteer hours out of. Apparently the big hold up is a lot of background checks and mandatory trainings have yet to be completed. Also lost quite a bit of olders parents who moved onto club so they have to rinse repeat with the inexperienced.

Where are they desperate for refs? We can never get enough games. Dont know if AYSO is a different assignor vs the club leagues.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

They are frantic for refs here in the bay area. There are dozens and dozens of matches for each weekend that still aren't fully populated by every Friday night, and assignors are scrambling each weekend to make sure all the matches that need them have 3 refs, while those with less need (younger/lower) can get away with just 2, or worst case - 1. If my kids had the time and/or inclination, they could pick up 6-8 games a weekend every weekend without fail.

 

[Grace T.]

Where are they desperate for refs? We can never get enough games. Dont know if AYSO is a different assignor vs the club leagues.

Well certain leagues, like MLSN or UPSL, are less in short supply because some refs are trying to get points to move up the ranks. BUT it's very interesting to have you say that. If, for example, SoCal League were not having a supply problem that would be a very big deal. One of the reasons parents are told they have to deal with incompetent refs, or even refs who are just not physically fit enough to handle the game, or even a lack of ARs in youngers games, is because there aren't enough refs. IF THAT'S ALL BS, and everything they've said (and third parties like refsneedlove who recently complained about a brand new youth ref getting assigned to a U14 academy game, no doubt because of the physical fitness aspect) is contra, well then that would be a very big deal and the all stick no carrot approach would not be justified.