Referees: Ask Us Anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

There have been a lot of cards handed out in that division this season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

There have been a lot of cards handed out in that division this season.

One of the nastiest, negative not stop yelling/bitching/moaning/complaining/ coaches I ever saw/heard is in this division too. I have no clue how kids made it through a season with him nor how parents let their kids be coached by him. Horrible dude. So nasty and negative with the kids. Never a compliment. Just non stop pointing out mistakes. Terrible environment. Hope we don't see him again next season.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

I regret not giving a yellow in a U-10 WAGS game. Absolutely justifiable.

My U14 kid's teammate got a yellow card the other day. After the game, I asked my kid why he got the card. He told me that he told the ref to "Shut the F--- up." after the ref told him to "take it easy" after he fouled a kid. I would have given that kid a straight red ALL DAY. I think the refs are doing a disservice to the kids and the game by not giving a card or the proper card when appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

I regret not giving a yellow in a U-10 WAGS game. Absolutely justifiable.

My U14 kid's teammate got a yellow card the other day. After the game, I asked my kid why he got the card. He told me that he told the ref to "Shut the F--- up." after the ref told him to "take it easy" after he fouled a kid. I would have given that kid a straight red ALL DAY. I think the refs are doing a disservice to the kids and the game by not giving a card or the proper card when appropriate.

If my kid had said that my kid wouldn’t be playing soccer for a month and he’d be mowing the referee’s lawn for a month too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question for you refs. Do you call the game strictly based on the rules or on what you believe is fair?

Do you have an example?

Let’s say there’s an offensive player with the ball at the far corner of the penalty box with his back to the goal who goes to make a back pass and the ball hits a defender’s arm (unintentionally) that is away from his body. It occurs in the box. Do you call a PK?

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

I regret not giving a yellow in a U-10 WAGS game. Absolutely justifiable.

I saw a kid get a card in a u9 game at Herndon All Stars! He was playing goalie and kicked a kid in the head on purpose. It was insane. He had to leave the field completely with his parents.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

Agree entirely. Coached an all star U10 boys team once. Had to carry two players off the field - both had had their legs taken out from behind multiple times. I asked the ref politely twice to protect the kids please. When the second one had to be carried off after what should have been the sixth or seventh yellow card offense is the only time I have ever spoken to a ref in anger as coach. I avoided actually yelling - but only just.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

You shouldn't let the throw-in go either. If you call it when he's 8, he probably won't do it again. If you don't call it, he will make the same mistake when he's older.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

The rule of thumb we have in the rec league is not to let it go but to give them a retake.

PP here. Fair enough. As long as you stop them and make them do it right that's OK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

I regret not giving a yellow in a U-10 WAGS game. Absolutely justifiable.

My U14 kid's teammate got a yellow card the other day. After the game, I asked my kid why he got the card. He told me that he told the ref to "Shut the F--- up." after the ref told him to "take it easy" after he fouled a kid. I would have given that kid a straight red ALL DAY. I think the refs are doing a disservice to the kids and the game by not giving a card or the proper card when appropriate.

Should be an immediate red card

[Anonymous]

Hey Futsal refs, how can you tell when the ball goes out of bounds on the other side of the court? We all know you can't see that far and the angle is impossible. Do you just guess? Follow body language?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

U14B is the worst. Rare is the U14B game that I didn't give a card.

On the throw-ins, don't let the U9 go if he lifts his foot. He gets one "do over" and then it goes the other way. From there, it is based on the skill level of the teams. If they were low skill level, I'd let the "do overs" last long. If they were higher skilled kids, I'd stop the do overs. ... Again, just common sense guides me.

Finally, I just can't imagine "egregious calls " being possible in a U11 game. That sounds like a game where I would be tossing parents to the parking lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey Futsal refs, how can you tell when the ball goes out of bounds on the other side of the court? We all know you can't see that far and the angle is impossible. Do you just guess? Follow body language?

The kids will tell you a lot. If they are good liars, though, it becomes more challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

I regret not giving a yellow in a U-10 WAGS game. Absolutely justifiable.

My U14 kid's teammate got a yellow card the other day. After the game, I asked my kid why he got the card. He told me that he told the ref to "Shut the F--- up." after the ref told him to "take it easy" after he fouled a kid. I would have given that kid a straight red ALL DAY. I think the refs are doing a disservice to the kids and the game by not giving a card or the proper card when appropriate.

Should be an immediate red card

Ive seen kids intentionally injur other kids very bad and only get a yellow. Shouting shut the F up is a verbal frustration. A good referee lets go in one ear and out the other. The alternative could be an intentional foul causing serious injury to an opponent. Before I hear some snowflake treating parent complain about the foul mouth. When your angel of child is on the field. They are athletes and the playing field is a sacred spot where they can compete and not be judged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:After reffing a couple of games at McLean on Sunday, I have this reminder for parents:

"He got the ball" does not mean "no foul was committed."

If you don't get that, please find a blackboard and write it 50 times like you're Bart Simpson.

Thank you.

Are you the ref that missed egregious calls in the mclean U11 boys games?

This past weekend? I was an AR for the McLean U11 and U12 games on Sunday. If that's what you're talking about, what calls do you think were missed? I can tell you the CVU coaches in the U-12 games were really angry that the center ref didn't give cards for some of the McLean fouls.

EDIT: The CCL games.

You commented on a center not giving cards...made me think of this. Just this weekend, I was speaking with a guy who was center referee for a very competitive, boys U13 NCSL D2 game. He told me that he gave a yellow card to someone. I didn't think anything of it and then he said...that was the first card he EVER gave to a kid U13 or younger. He's been a very active ref for 4 years. I thought this was incredible. He said that many refs don't like to or WON"T give cards to "little kids". I was amazed to hear this. An early maturing 12 year old boy can literally be twice the size of a late maturing 12 year old boy. To not give cards because of age is ridiculous. As RSD pointed out, if a foul is reckless that's a yellow card. If a foul is excessive, that's a red card. I can see letting a little foot up on a throw in for a U9 or U10 but after that...it's by the book. Not giving cards for tackles from behind, etc is going to get someone really hurt. Referees need to use cards and teach kids right from wrong starting at early ages.

I did once have a ref tell me, as I scooped up yet another injured player from the field at the Herndon All-Star tournament, that he never gave cards at U-9. I'd agree the bar should be pretty high, but never say never.

I regret not giving a yellow in a U-10 WAGS game. Absolutely justifiable.

My U14 kid's teammate got a yellow card the other day. After the game, I asked my kid why he got the card. He told me that he told the ref to "Shut the F--- up." after the ref told him to "take it easy" after he fouled a kid. I would have given that kid a straight red ALL DAY. I think the refs are doing a disservice to the kids and the game by not giving a card or the proper card when appropriate.

Should be an immediate red card

Ive seen kids intentionally injur other kids very bad and only get a yellow. Shouting shut the F up is a verbal frustration. A good referee lets go in one ear and out the other. The alternative could be an intentional foul causing serious injury to an opponent. Before I hear some snowflake treating parent complain about the foul mouth. When your angel of child is on the field. They are athletes and the playing field is a sacred spot where they can compete and not be judged.

This post is incomprehensible.