Career switch - bye coaching, hello reffing

[Anonymous]

Although it’s a nice side salary the amount of time gone between practices and weekend filled completely with traveling and coaching I’m kind of done.

I’d rather officiate close to home, be in better shape, and deal with less BS from the politics and parents.

I know, there is also BS from officiating. But I’m no teenager seeking a couple of bucks. I like giving back to the youth and the shortage is real. Maybe a nice window of opportunity to come up that ladder? I have played the sport all my life (late 30s) and have coached for close to a decade.

An unhinged multimillionaire Nova parent isn’t on my concern list.

Is this career switch worth it or should I drop all soccer related stuff for good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Although it’s a nice side salary the amount of time gone between practices and weekend filled completely with traveling and coaching I’m kind of done.

I’d rather officiate close to home, be in better shape, and deal with less BS from the politics and parents.

I know, there is also BS from officiating. But I’m no teenager seeking a couple of bucks. I like giving back to the youth and the shortage is real. Maybe a nice window of opportunity to come up that ladder? I have played the sport all my life (late 30s) and have coached for close to a decade.

An unhinged multimillionaire Nova parent isn’t on my concern list.

Is this career switch worth it or should I drop all soccer related stuff for good?

It is a solid switch. You get to pick when you work and the reality is good refs generally do get treated better. Choose older age groups and it is a much better environment than U littles.

[Anonymous]

Can't you do some reffing next summer ike for super y and see how it goes..somewhat test the water before you go in 100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you do some reffing next summer ike for super y and see how it goes..somewhat test the water before you go in 100%

I was a ref before I became a coach. Did it for the money. Now I’m rethinking ( after almost a decade coaching ) that the side salary isn’t really that awesome when you spend 3 evenings away plus the weekend…

[Anonymous]

We had a ref recently kick out two parents (one from each side) for being annoying and questioning his calls. They were nowhere near the worst I have seen, but everyone was silent for the rest of the game other than politely encouraging their kids. It was wonderful.

I feel like he did the world and all the other refs a huge service and The majority of the parents loved him. He did a great job of setting the tone very early on of what would be acceptable and what would not and then everyone left him alone to ref in peace. Just a suggestion on keeping the parents quiet…

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I have no regrets. Most of the time, I find reffing less stressful than coaching.

problem with reffing is there is the same amount of Bs politicks.

If you ain’t on the assignor or evaluators good list you can be stuck doing crappy u little games instead of being promoted to higher caliber games and $




Either way, getting to choose when and when is a decent perk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I have no regrets. Most of the time, I find reffing less stressful than coaching.

problem with reffing is there is the same amount of Bs politicks.

If you ain’t on the assignor or evaluators good list you can be stuck doing crappy u little games instead of being promoted to higher caliber games and $




Either way, getting to choose when and when is a decent perk.

I’ve done both for several decades, now I don’t really do either. The schedules for both tend to be heavy when friends and family are available and light when everyone else is busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I have no regrets. Most of the time, I find reffing less stressful than coaching.

problem with reffing is there is the same amount of Bs politicks.

If you ain’t on the assignor or evaluators good list you can be stuck doing crappy u little games instead of being promoted to higher caliber games and $




Either way, getting to choose when and when is a decent perk.

I’ve done both for several decades, now I don’t really do either. The schedules for both tend to be heavy when friends and family are available and light when everyone else is busy.

What’s the easiest way to make it as a pro ref? A55 kissing?