Law-Five

Has anyone looked ahead to who the winner would play if they get past the sub-state? I believe they'll have to play the loser of CAK and Knox Catholic.

It's all about the spirit of the game and the ref's judgement. Generally, anything from behind is a foul.

By the way - if you're 18 and pass the test you are authorized to ref a high school soccer match. There isn't a requirement for previous experience. Fortunately, the local association wouldn't let that happen - new refs usually get middle school games.

The key to handling is the word deliberate. It's easy for the ref if a player jumps into the air and catches the ball but what do you call when a player has his back turned and the ball is kicked into his outstretched arm? Is it incidental that his arm is in the way or is he flinging his arms out wide in an attempt to block the ball? You'll see some refs whistle a foul for any ball that hits the hand or arm - others who seldom call it unless it's so blatant that it can't be ignored. The intangible part of the equation is the referee's judgement - all the rules rely on the ref to judge whether a foul has occurred. In the case you're referring to the ref probably wouldn't disagree that the ball touched the arm/hand - he'll disagree about the intent.

The width shall not be more than 80 yards [73.15m] nor less than 65 yards [59.44m] and the length shall not be more than 120 yards [109.73m] nor less than 110 yards [100.58m]; however, fields of less than minimal dimensions may be used by prior written mutual consent of the competing institutions. The optimum size is 75 yards [68.58m] by 120 yards [109.73m]. New facilities shall be a minimum of 70 yards [64.01m] in width by 115 yards [105.15m] in length.

I've seen them both and Baylor wins for two reasons: 1. ND plays too much long ball and not enough possession 2. They're playing on Baylors field and ND spends too much time playing on a 60 by 100 pitch

USSF requirements are far more stringent than TSSAA. Until a few years ago the TSSAA test was open book - pay your $30 if you're 18, make a score of 70 and you could ref a game. USSF requires two full weekends of classroom instruction and a physical test.

By the way - TSSAA soccer refs do not add time for anything. They stop the clock when goals are scored, cautions, red cards, penalty kicks, excessive substitutions, injuries, etc. That way when the official clock alarm goes off the game is over (regardless of where the ball is). FIFA, however, allows the head official to add time (which is pretty subjective) unless they have a fourth official who keeps track of lost time and then communicates the amount of time to be added to the game to the head official.

The issue you're addressing is real enough, but it's affecting soccer at all levels all over the world. Watch any of the professional leagues play and see how many players do the "log roll" trying to get a player ejected by faking the dive/injury. FIFA is trying to address the issue, but other than using post game review and fines there isn't much they can do during the game (all calls are based on the referees judgement). As a ref you have to constantly ask yourself when there's illegal contact and the player falls - was it a foul before the player fell? A good ref knows whether contact is fair or foul, falling really has nothing to do with the call unless you're trying to allow for advantage. You really can't just blame older refs who appear complacent - this is affecting refs everywhere. FIFA has to do something about this - perhaps like they did about 10-15 years ago with fouls on an obvious goal scoring opportunity - automatic card (usually red). Maybe if a player fakes an injury or dives, and then gets up and sprints down the field, the ref issues him an automatic yellow. Of course, in high school if you stop play for an "injury" the player already has to leave the pitch. There's always integrity.

The CSAS defense sometimes becomes disorganized when too many people decide to make runs and no one covers - if Sweetwater has an experienced forward who is alert he can take advantage of this and get some chances. CSAS plays a nice possession game with excellent passing from the midfield - they get a lot of chances each game but can't seem to find the net when they should. Last year CSAS outshot Sweetwater about 15-3 and lost 2-1. This year I think CSAS wins 3-1.

what time is the game?

There's no excuse for sloppy officiating and each ref knows if he's conducting himself in a professional manner and putting in a complete effort. Referee's, players and coaches all need to be held to a higher standard. You can't expect a ref to make unpopular calls if he's going to be abused by players and parents. The referee's who stay in shape and involve themselves in the game and make the calls are not much more popular than the ones who stand along the touchline and call offsides. The two man system also provides more opportunity for calls to go unnoticed since each ref figures the other ref will make the call that's 60 yards away (teams need to request a three man crew). If all games were reffed by three officials, all new/inexperienced refs would be on the sidelines. Another fact - the better refs are going to be assigned to the prominent games (Baylor, Father Ryan, CCS, etc.), and these schools almost always request a three man crew. Tennessee has very lax requirements for certifying a new referee and it takes years to learn how to effectively control a game and provide the level of officiating that most people expect. The local associations are responsible for the development of their officials. After a well played game most people couldn't tell you who the refs were - after a badly played game everyone knows.

The midfield play of Adam Wright and Duncan Keegan kept the ball on Boyds end of the field. They each provided several well placed through balls to the forwards - if CSAS could finish their chances the score would have been 3-0 or more. Boyd had a great chance as time ran out on a well placed corner - Chris Penn made a nice point blank save to preserve the shutout.

I saw Ooltewah play Notre Dame and wasn't that impressed - but that has to be taken in the context of a game played on the sorry excuse of a field at ND. Grace lost some key players last year and the key is how they match up with bigger physical players at AAA Ooltewah. I think the edge goes to the Owls.

The score wasn't that much of a surprise after watching the game. CSAS played better as a team - creating more chances and possessing the ball more consistently. Soddy had some chances but they were more the result of an indivdual effort than a team one. I think Soddy could have scored several times due to CSAS defensive lapses but CSAS could easily have had 2 or 3 more goals as a result of good passing around and inside the 18. All around a good game - congrats to both teams for a game well played.