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Dallas Pro Clinic
Recently, the
USSF conducted a Regional "Pro" Clinic in Dallas, Texas.
The clinic is part of the U. S. Soccer Federation's National Program for
Referee Development. It is open to National Referees, National
Candidates, Grade 5 referees who may be future National Candidates, and
State Assessors. The purpose of this clinic is to ensure that all of our
professional referees have a consistent approach to their calls in
matches at the professional level.
Arkansas was well
represented thanks to the work of Bill Nelson, the State Director of
Assessment. Bill organized the trip to Dallas for a group of State Assessors
and two of our young referees who have been identified as potential
National Referee candidates.
Director of
Advanced and International Referee Development Esse
Baharmast, and Director of National
Assessments, David McKee were the instructors for the clinic. They, along
with Manager of Referee Development & Education, Alfred Kleinaitis
conducted a fitness test Saturday morning for the National Referees, and
National Referee Candidates who attended the clinic. The remainder
of the day was spent in the clinic reviewing video and discussing
situations from games that addressed the primary points of emphasis that
will be made to the FIFA Referees who will be working the World Cup this
year.
This quickly begs
the question: Why is this important to us in Arkansas? Are we expected to referee
exactly the same? Obviously the level of
games we do are different than those of the World Cup or the Professional
level. However, we must make sure that as much as possible our
decisions are consistent. What we learned as assessors and referees
will be put into information which will be used in assessments, for
in-service clinics, and at the Intermediate and State Camp
Here are a few of
the high points from the clinic that apply to every game we officiate
here in Arkansas!
ESSE'S RULES TO
LIVE BY!
Referee every
game as if it were a professional match
· Judge the skill
level of the players and make appropriate calls
· Protect all the
players
· Especially
protect the impact players
· Know the differences
between careless, reckless, or excessive force.
· Control dissent
· Completely
eliminate violence from the game
Be forever
professional
· In your dealings
with players
· In your dealings
with coaches
· In your dealings
with other referees
Monitor your attitude
at all times
· Be proud to
accept any type of assignment
· Give your best
effort no matter the caliber or level of the game
Make sure your
fitness is at the highest level
· Ask yourself, can
you really keep up with the players on the field?
· If you cannot,
then do something about it!
Always remember
good referees prepare themselves very well to do the job; they accept the
opportunities provided, and then they ultimately have the good luck to
have the best game of their lives! In addition, every game should
be the best game that has ever been done!
(to the top)
YOUR ASSIGNOR AND YOU - Pathways to the Pitch
By
George Anderson IV - State Assignor Coordinator
Too often we do not take the road less traveled. OK, now
what is he talking about?
As referees
we get into a habit of picking up the phone and calling our regular
assignor to cover a few games Saturday morning, make a little spending
money and still have time to catch a game on the tube or more likely a
nap. Or maybe we’ve waited for that call from the
assignor to cover a game. We’ve helped, right?
As assignors we
know what games we have to cover for the week. We make a few phone calls,
get a few e-mails or even send a few e-mails and get about 75% of the games
covered. We’ve
helped right?
There is no
doubt that everyone in these scenarios is trying to help to cover games.
But, are these pathways to the pitch the best for all concerned? A
suggestion might be to take a path less traveled. Referees and assignors develop habits
and routines that develop a well-beaten path to often inadequately
covered games. No one is really at
fault, they are all working, but the job isn’t really complete.
Referees:
no one knows what times you are available or for how much time you are
available unless you let someone know. It is
incumbent upon you to communicate with assignors. Not just
your regular assignor, but take a path less traveled and contact a different assignor. There is a
list of assignors here on the SRC website under the Referee tab. Get out
of your comfort zone and go help a different assignor from time to time. You get
tired of seeing the same teams and quite frankly they get tired of seeing
you! Let the assignor know the block of time you are
available. From XX:00 am to XX:00 pm. Pick up the
phone and call, send an e-mail or sign up on line. Do your
part and communicate with the assignor. Do NOT sit
back and wait for a call. Be proactive and help your assignor. At some
point your assignor will be there to help you. If you want
games go out and get them. You would be amazed how your game count can pick
up. You might even be inspired to upgrade!
Assignors, you too can take a path less
traveled. Often you know the games
you need to cover for the season.
Get your info out there for the whole season. It is difficult to do in a phone call
but a mass e-mail lets referees know very easily. Send it to all referees statewide. You are
helping yourself in the long run.
A referee might not be able to work
this week or the next but will commit 3-4 weeks out. Referee commitment, referee retention,
and games covered. Everyone wins!
Assignors, be sure to follow up those long-term commitments with a
confirming e-mail or phone call.
Use
your referee data- base. Contact those referees in your area that you do not
usually use. Do not give up on them. If they won’t commit this week get them
for next week or the week after.
Be sure to follow up as well. Lastly, see
and be seen. Get out to the fields. Let the
referees know who you are and get to know them. Everyone
then has a face to put with the phone call or e-mail. You will be
amazed at how far that can go to getting return referees.
None of these ideas are particularly innovative or
earth shattering. Communication is a two way street that each must
travel to success. However, should you choose to take a path less
traveled, you might just find some new friends and faces along the way in
helping to achieve 100% coverage of games, the ultimate goal of assignors
and referees. With apologies to
Robert Frost, while taking the path less traveled and you come to a fork
in the road, PICK IT UP, you are on a soccer field after all!
(to the top)
COURAGE - CHARACTER - CONSISTENCY
By
Jim Green, State Referee
Courage
I think any
referee would agree that anytime we step on the field to referee a game
it takes courage. In any given game, we are at risk to incur the ire of players,
coaches, and even parents. So how do you develop courage? First, know the
laws of the game. Don’t just study the laws once a year when you are
getting ready to recertify. Review the laws on a periodic basis so that
you are always fresh on their content. Pay special attention to the laws
related to situations that rarely occur in a game, so that when you do
encounter those situations, you are certain of the right call. Second,
take to heart the feedback you receive from assessors and other referees.
Remember, assessors are trying to help you improve as a referee, so if
you ignore their feedback, then you are missing an opportunity to become
a better referee. If you are a new referee and haven’t yet received an
assessment, don’t worry, your time for an assessment will come. When you
do get that first assessment, see it as an opportunity for you to get
better, not as something you need to dread. Third, be fit before you step
on the field to referee a game. There is a saying in referee circles: “be
fit to referee, don’t referee to be fit”. On days that you do not have a
game, hit the road, track, or treadmill. You will find that you gain a
lot more respect from the players and coaches when you are in good
position to make those critical calls. If you are not fit, you cannot be
where you need to be. So what do these three points have to do with
courage? If you know the laws of the game, you implement feedback from
other referees and assessors, and you are fit, then when you step on the
field, you can have the courage to know that you are prepared and ready
to do a good job.
Character
What does it mean
to have character as a referee? First, I think it is a mindset that you
take with you to every game. It’s an attitude that you are going to give
your best no matter the age group or level of competition. Second, it’s
having a focus to never let your performance be influenced by who you
know among the players, coaches, and even the spectators. Of course, the
best rule is to never referee a game where there are friends or family
involved, or for some other reason you have an interest in the outcome of
the game. However, as much as we try to avoid these situations, chances
are that you will at some point be called on to referee a game where on
some level you have a connection to a player, coach, or you have some
other affiliation with one or both of the teams. The challenge here is to
call the game as you would any other game. Never give in to the urge to
make a call that would help the team you have an affiliation with. At the
same time, don’t go overboard in an effort to show you are not favoring
that team by being too harsh on the team where you have a connection. I
have often said of myself: “if I get to a point where I would let an
affiliation with a team affect how I call a game, then it’s time to turn
in my badge”. Finally, character
to me means always maintaining your professionalism. Never give in to the
temptation to retaliate to a coach or player verbally when you are being
attacked. This doesn’t mean to never raise your voice or issue cards at
the appropriate times. Certainly, these are necessary elements that you
need in your referee toolkit in order to be effective. Be as firm as you need to be to
effectively manage the game, just never lose your professionalism. . The
best way I can say it is to remember a phrase from an old anti-perspirant commercial: “never let them see you
sweat”.
Consistency
Ask a player or
coach how they judge the performance of a referee and I would bet more
times than not you would hear the word consistency. So what do we need to
do to be consistent? First, work hard to call fouls consistently for both
teams. In other words, if a certain action is a foul for one team, make
sure it’s also a foul for the other team. You don’t have to referee many
games before you hear the phrase: “call it both ways”. We joke about this phrase among
ourselves; however, in reality, a coach or player is usually trying to
communicate the fact that they believe a foul called on them was not
called on the other team, or, a foul not called for them was called for
the other team. Secondly, be consistent in issuing cards. If we allow a
hard tackle with cleats up and only call a foul, with no card, and then
later issue a card for a play that is virtually identical to the prior
play, then we have a problem with consistency. If a player tackles an
opposing player from behind, with no intent to play the ball and we issue
a yellow card, then we must ask ourselves, “if that’s a yellow card, then
what would it take to get a red card”? You can bet the players are asking
themselves the same thing. If players believe you are not consistent in
how you manage a game, then they will often take matters into their own
hands and certainly that can spell disaster for us and the players.
Finally, be consistent in your appearance. Arrive at the field early,
with your socks pulled up, shirt tail in, and shoes clean and/or
polished. These may seem like small things; however, your appearance lets
the players and coaches know that you take your job as a referee
seriously, and that you are there to do a good job for them.
In summary, I
take a lot of pride in being a soccer official and I am
sure you do too. We communicate that pride to players, coaches, and other
officials by our courage, character, and consistently.
(to the top)
RAISON
D'ETRE
By Mike Bossler,
State Referee/Assignor/Instructor/Assessor
Literally
translated from French, this means “reason to be.” In the last
few months I have given some serious thought to why I am a referee. These thoughts have revolved not only
around my own career, but also around my life in general and casual
observations of other referees.
I
have noticed that some of us are working very hard to become “super-refs”
and are on a quest to become perfect. Some of us even believe that we
have already reached this goal. We
memorize every law and every piece of advice that is officially released
to us. We expect the players to
behave perfectly and punish them vigorously when they step out of
line. We feel that displaying a
sense of humor on the field is unprofessional and unnecessary. Basically we are hard at work when we
referee, and have no patience for fun.
The players and coaches cringe when they see us coming.
Some
of us do this purely for the money.
We travel as little as possible.
We avoid assistant referee assignments because they don’t pay very
well. We do not do youth games
because they also do not meet our financial criteria. The players and coaches recognize our
greed.
Others
treat it as a big joke. We show up
late. We don’t keep up with
changes in the laws and tactics.
We are sadly out of shape and do not give the participants of the
beautiful game any credit for their knowledge or skill and even ridicule
our fellow officials. The players
and coaches are well aware of our lack of professionalism and commitment.
The
common thread here is how we are perceived by players and coaches. Isn’t this important? I do not mean that we should strive to
be liked by every coach and player.
This is improbable if not impossible. They are, however, our customers, so
let’s treat them as such by trying our best to earn their respect.
More
often than not, players and coaches have legitimate gripes. I am not talking about the habitual
complainers. I am talking about
individuals that approach us in a serious and respectful manner with real
concerns and/or suggestions.
Sometimes they are very frustrated, and their concerns are blurted
out a little less respectfully.
Either way, we do not have the right to be disrespectful in
return. We are, after all,
professionals.
I
am not suggesting that we have drawn out discussions with players in the
middle of the game. A quick, genuine
and disarming smile along with the promise to give their concern(s)
serious consideration is often enough.
Players are human, and sometimes it is enough for them to know
that we care and took a moment in time to acknowledge them. Don’t make the mistake of agreeing
verbally and not following up with action when it becomes necessary
though. (e.g. A player tells you
“Ref, they are hacking the heck out of me, so I would rather take a foul
than the advantage” and you agree and then yell “play on” after the next
assassination attempt that he or she miraculously plays through.)
I
guess my raison d'être is to listen.
Listen to my fellow referees.
Listen to the coaches and players.
And most importantly listen to my girlfriend. And of course I
cannot forget to act on what I heard.
See you out on
the pitch.
(to the top)
ADVICE TO NEW REFEREES
By Brian W. Caldwell
Becoming an
effective referee is more than knowing the laws of the game. It is more than knowing where to stand. It is more than foul recognition. It is more than mechanics. It is more than fitness. All these things are important….very
important……verrry veeeerrrry
important. But they are not
enough. There is an extra
dimension to becoming an effective referee. What follows are 15 things to think
about. Most of these things are
done unconsciously by experienced referees. However, these things are what new
referees struggle with MOST. Read
them, think about them, and use them if they are helpful.
1.
Blow your whistle loud
The purpose of a whistle is to get attention. Sometimes you want to blow it louder
than other times, but you always want to blow it loud enough to be heard
by people within a ten to twenty yard radius (at a minimum).
2.
Sell your calls
Always act with certainty.
Even if you realize you are wrong, act with purpose and authority
in reversing your position. The
surest way to lose respect is to be uncertain.
3.
Be on time
If you are late, the game is late because of you. If you are early and the game starts
late, it starts late in spite of you.
Do your part to make the game start on time.
4.
Have a sense of humor
Don’t laugh at anyone or make jokes where it is
inappropriate to do so and don’t be silly. But wearing a yellow shirt and carrying
a whistle doesn’t mean you aren’t a human being. Humor is a way of humbly accepting our
imperfections. Send a positive
message about yourself and your attitude about life.
5.
Have a presence
Every player on the field needs to know that you are on the
field and that you are dealing with things that need to be dealt
with. The most effective
enforcement tool you have as a referee is your presence on the
field. Be where you need to be
when you need to be there and do what must be done.
6.
Politeness matters
Nice guys may finish last?
Who knows? Regardless,
rudeness is a sign of weakness. It
takes a strong person to stand your ground and respect even those who are
rude to your face. That person may
not ever respect you, but all those around you will. Those people will see that you have a
strong backbone and great dignity because you are polite.
7.
Professionalism is important
You are being paid.
Earn your pay. At the vast
majority of the games you do, you will be the only person at the game who
is paid to be there. You must set
the standard of professionalism.
If you don’t do it, then who will?
8.
Be who you are
Don’t fake it.
Nobody likes or trusts a phony.
Every kid on earth can smell one.
An artificial person lacks the ability to honestly present themselves
to the players. If you fake it,
the players will not trust you because they will believe you are
insincere.
9.
Hustle is more important than talent
A talented person who doesn’t hustle diminishes the
advantage of the talent they have.
A person with lesser talent who is willing to hustle magnifies
their talent beyond the level of the talented person. A person who hustles is remembered in a
good way. A person who doesn’t hustle
seems lazy.
10.
Open your mind to alternatives
Listen more than you talk is another way to say this. Realize that you may know more than any
other person at the game but you will not know more than all the people
at the game and you always have something to learn. Sometimes from people who know less
than you. Being the expert does
not mean you are perfect.
11.
Be prepared to back up what you say
If you say to a player, “take it easy”, be prepared to
give a card next time. Tough words
are easy. Tough action is
hard. If you aren’t willing to
back up what you say, you will lose respect from the players, the
coaches, the fans, and other referees.
If you back up what you say, you will build a good
reputation. If people know you
mean business, next time a card may not be needed.
12.
Open your eyes
Expand your field of view.
Don’t just look at the ball, look around
at what else is happening on the field.
Don’t just look at the feet, look at the waist and use your
peripheral vision to see the whole player. Change your focus, look at the
eyes. A player’s eyes will tell
you what is important to the player.
Don’t always immediately look downfield, check back to where the
ball just left and make sure there isn’t more to do.
13.
A good personality really does cover up a lot of
ugly
Just because you aren’t on the field to make friends
doesn’t mean you are on the field to make enemies. It is easier for players to accept
negative comments from someone who is likable than it is to accept them
from someone who is a jerk or a robot.
Barney Fife is funny on television and not funny on a Soccer
field.
14.
Don’t stop play without a good reason
Nothing destroys the rhythm of the game more than constant
whistling for trifling fouls. Yes,
someti | 
