The Ref

The High Schools in Tennessee vary greatly. Teams at the top, such as the finalist this year are very advanced and mature player and understand the game very well. Many of them will play at a D1 college and maybe even professional. As for myself I sometimes forget that there are places that are still learning and advancing their game and have a different view of the game than other games. I have gotten myself in trouble many times for not adjusting my game to the level of play, but I do my best to do this On a PK, if I feel the keeper has come out to gain an advantage on the play, I will point to how far out he was and make sure that it is clear what was done, where he was and that it was not acceptable. It should be very, very clear what happened to everyone who sees. Also, If he does it 2 times in a row.... that is persistent, no question. If a player fouls the same player 2 times in a row in a matter of seconds, that is persistent (whether it is handled with a word or a card). Yelling is definitely unsporting. No question. It is an unprofessional act to gain an unfair advantage. Same concept when someone yells when someone is taking a header (look up how Alex Rodriquez took heat for the shenanigans he pulled in a baseball game). Most of the teams understand how the kicks are to proceed. I say as little as possible before hand and try to answer questions and help the players understand how things will go during the match. (They don't listen, and I don't want to back myself into a corner with what I say before a match). A PK is a very, very, very quick event. Distracting is out because that is what we are taught and what is considered fair for the game. This make sense to me, but I understand how it could be perceived that way. My understanding is that the kicker has a side picked, and the keeper has a side picked and if the keeper gets the ball, he is lucky. Distracting the kicker seems foreign to me. I understand this is a hard concept to understand, but the question it goes back to is "Does the keeper's actions affect the opponent or the game?" and that is what we try to get back to

Fair enough, I understand your plight. But in soccer, as with all sports, players and coaches will try to bend the rules and get away with as much as they can. Whitey, from you conversation, I assume that you are a parent or player who is an attacker. We would have a totally different conversation with a person who as played in goal or a defensive minded player. These players think standing at the 6 yard line would not have an affect on the kicker, and they usually try to get there. Yes we work for consistancy, but each referee is different and judges the infractions different. As long as he is consistent through the game, there is not much to be said because it was the same for both teams. We work for a straight line across all referees,but with many personalities and tendencies, things change from person to person. 3 rekicks is a lot to take. First, Distraction is out because it is just as distracting to move legally side to side as it to move out. Second, missing the goal to the side or over the top is not affected by the keeper jumping off his line and there should be no retake (trifling offense by the keeper). Third, if the keeper jumps out off his line a gross amount more than once, it should probably be handled with more than a rekick.

First, Please understand that we are not trying to impose our will or ego on the game. I do understand that there are referees who get a trip from the power that they gain from the situation of controlling the match and players, but that is not how we are supposed to conduct ourselves and how we are supposed to act. For the majority of us, especially those of us who advance and have the privledge of refereeing upper level matches, We are there because we love the game and we love being involved with a sport that we love. As a general rule, we try to do what is best for the game and ensure a fair outcome with the safety of the players taken in consideration. I understand where you are coming from "A foul is a foul is a foul", but in some cases there is gray area where the individual referee makes a decision about what needs to be called. The USSF Advice to Referees (Found on the ussoccer.com) advises us to use judgment in calling fouls that are considered trifling as they lead to a situation that is unpleasant for both the players and the fans. If we were to call every little foul, then the game would stop constantly and nothing would get done. In fact, upper level games want a more physical game with less fouls called, as long as things are perceived as being fair: the fouls that need to be punished are punished, and the fouls that are trifling or would be disadvantagous to the attack should be avoided. The question we always should ask ourselves with any foul: "Does it have an effect upon the opponent or the play?" if yes, then we restart play, if no.. then it is trifling and the game continues. Does a keeper coming off the line when the shot goes over the net affect the game? I would say certainly not. I understand Whitey's and defaultuser's complaint that he feels we impose our will on the game. We try to respond and adjust our game to how the State, how the players, and how the rules makers want the game to be run. It is a hard thing to do, but there is an amount of trust put into us to do the right thing.... and we always try to do what is right for the game. I'm sorry if you got screwed: referees make mistakes or may have a different angle or have a million different other reasons what something is called or not called. We do our best with what we have, and sometimes that is not good enough for everyone else. To MD4Sports: As for the call in the Bearden/Farragut game: My understanding was the card was for different reasons, but you would have to contact TSSAA to have it cleared up because I have not see the report or heard justification for what happened. I hope the state will have the ablility to explain how things were written up and how they were handled on the administrative end of the game. If there is a problem, the referee will answer to them (they are handled privately and without notification of anyone outside the situation). The state builds a shield between the referees and the fans/players/parents, which they should. We are responsible for what we do and what is called and we respond to the proper authorities on those situations. I am starting to understand there is much confusion over what we are taught to do by the higher ups, What is wanted by the plays, What is wanted by the coaches, and what is wanted by the Parents. Is there something I should know that would help others and myself improve?

If the keep has his hands on the ball when the ball exits the Penalty area completely, then it is handling ball. If he drops it in the penalty area and it lands outside the area, we are fair game. That is the simple answer. Referees do not like to call a handling on the keeper right outside the box for a couple of reasons. 1) the play is so fast that it doesn't really matter and you can't see 2) the Assistant referee (AR) has usually retreated upfield to line up with second to last defender. These reasons make it difficult to call. Also, the spirit of the game requires you to ask yourself "what affect does this have on the game". In reality a little bit over the penalty area line has no affect on what happens down field because most punts are 50/50. A smart referee/AR will notice that the keeper is being liberal with his/her steps and warn them to watch the line before they get in trouble. A smart keeper will respond to this and watch where he is. If you watch you will hear a Ref or AR shout "watch your line" 2 or 3 times or talk to the keeper at a stoppage or to the captain, then it makes it easy to call that infraction because everyone knows the keeper has been doing something wrong. As referees we should try to prevent that from being called, and usually (unless it is really nasty) the all the players respond well since it fits within the spirit of the game. A setpiece to the attack at 18 yards is a huge advantage for a trifling offense Any thoughts?

I know enough about the BHS/FHS game to answer questions about it, but I cannot ethically question or bash the gentlemen that refereed the game if I disagreed with anything. I would prefer to stay with questions about the rules/laws of the game

Will do. I will stick around until the boys season leaves the hearts and minds, then slide on over the Girls side and gear up for the fall season

The Goalie Kicks From the Mark: The basic rule is that the keeper may move side to side, but not off the line until the ball is kicked. We know that, We all Agree, We Don't Argue. What if the goal comes off the line 1 yard and the ball sails over the net? Should you call it back......... The general idea is that you DO NOT call it back in the situation because the infraction by the goalie is trifiling. The kicker would miss the goal anyway whether or not the keeper comes out. That is simple, but it gets trickier as you go along What if the keeper steps out a little, but then makes the save on the line or the ball is shot directly at him? Same situation, the ball would not go in anyway, therefore the kicker had his chance. the kick is not retaken. He had a bite at the apple. That is the spirit of the game and as long as referees stay consistant through the game, there is not much to argue. We try to be consistant across the board, but that is difficult with all the personalities and styles. Penalty kicks are sucessful upwards of 80% of the time. If the shot is not on goal, it doesn't matter what the keeper does. One or two steps off the line is usually not enough to make a difference. Distraction of the kicker is not a factor because the keeper is moving anyway whether or not he moves side to side or jumps out and also because the kicker should make the shot. The referee uses his judgement when calling the keeper too far out on a PK or KFTPM. Rarely there is a situation where the keeper coming off the line will adversely affect the shot, but when it happens it should be called and usually is. (This is usually if the keeper is off the line 4 or 5 yards/ 3 or 4 steps and stops the ball way before it gets to the goal line. Final ruling: Put the ball in the net, not over, not to the side, not at the keeper. Then there is little to worry about. Watch the last KFTPM. You will see how far out the pros get to go (Dudek always steps out).. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfDVH1UCcXI...ted&search=

As I was reading the boards, I realized that there are many questions asked about what happened during the game and why things are done. Not to mention questions about why things are done the way they are. I have decided to help out as much as I can. If I can I would like to remain anonymous. But I will guarantee I will give you a good answer to your question about the beautiful game as best as I can. I am an experienced referee in youth, adult, high school, college, and other levels. I have been around the state and know most of the top referees across Tennessee. We are a small fraternity and know each other well. I may have a different take than you have heard before, but bear with me, I am coming from what TSSAA, NCAA/NAIA, and USSF have taught in advanced level classes. If I don't have the answer, then I will find it from people who will know. Later I will address an issue that I saw on other posts...........Kicks from the Penalty Mark (PKs): How they are called and how they are dealt with. If that interests you let me know, if not try something else So....... Ask Away.