Refereeing, Coaching and Injuries in Women's Soccer

[kickgrass]

Mr. Midfield, thank you so much for your addition. Your wisdom has been very insightful to us all. Thanks again

[chindit]

Good refereeing comes from a cool head, rules knowledge and experience!

[Ilovethisgame]

Good refereeing comes from a cool head, rules knowledge and experience!

In my experience, the best refs are the younger guys (20 somethings) with recent playing experience. They are in shape enough to keep up with athletes and having played the game they understand it's flow, the players, what's a foul and what's not a foul. I've also seen these young men go right up to an out of control fan twice their age, put them in their place or have them escorted off the field.

[TennTarpon]

In my experience, the best refs are the younger guys (20 somethings) with recent playing experience. They are in shape enough to keep up with athletes and having played the game they understand it's flow, the players, what's a foul and what's not a foul. I've also seen these young men go right up to an out of control fan twice their age, put them in their place or have them escorted off the field.

 

I also think line judges need to be more involved. Many have the mentality that "I can't call fouls." I would also argue that the 2 ref system does not adequately protect players - especially where there is a disparity between what each ref believes to be a foul.

 

For example, during the Greeneville/Hendersonville match at Katy Hunter, one ref let play get rather physical while the other ref seemed to call every ticky tack thing he could. There were certainly times when both teams had a right to be upset over the fouls called (or lack of calls thereof) during the match, in my opinion.

 

To anyone with experience as a ref: do refs get together before matches and discuss how physical play should be before a foul is called?

[NeWbLuE]

To anyone with experience as a ref: do refs get together before matches and discuss how physical play should be before a foul is called?

 

 

I am not sure about the answer to your question, but I think it would be great if the referees would discuss with the coaches and captains during pre-game coin flip just how the game will be called. Most players know the rules and know they shouldn't slide tackle from behind or challenge angrily and retalliate from a prior play, but sometime in the heat of the battle even the best coached players fall victim. That is when the referee has to step up and make that yellow card call, (and maybe straight red). I do not like to see ticky tacky calls every few moments, that is not needed and it ruins the flow of the game. There must be 3 referees in each game. I have noticed that some of the better... faster teams will use the inability of the ref to see the offsides and beat the back line for easy scores. They use the 2 man system to their advantage. When the average law abiding team will not. =)) I think the teams that play with 2 man crews are not as likely to play the offside trap because they KNOW that the ref will not... can not make the right call. So they just sag and play the best d fence that they can. Ok rant over.

[Love The Game]

On the issue of officiating a soccer match, I feel that many of the high school matches end up with 2 officials and should have 3 instead. I don't like the 2 man crew for any matches in the high school age, boys or girls.

 

I agree 100% with what "cakes" said about the 2 officials. Even worse, sometimes there is just one. If you just have 2 officials then it is much more difficult to see the fouls and intentional hits. I think that we should make it to where there MUST be three refs at every game. It's too risky and unfair if there are just two or one.

[BigG]

I agree 100% with what "cakes" said about the 2 officials. Even worse, sometimes there is just one. If you just have 2 officials then it is much more difficult to see the fouls and intentional hits. I think that we should make it to where there MUST be three refs at every game. It's too risky and unfair if there are just two or one.

That is a great idea, with one problem... there are not enough refs to do this. What we might want to look at, is how to make it more "attractive" for people to become certified refs for highschool.

[DonCChatt]

What are the requirements to REF high school soccer in Tennessee? What License? Minimum Age? Who would somebody need to contact if they were interested?

[Laydown]

I think when the refs call for captains at the begining of the game, they need to lay down the law then, instead of on the pitch after someone is already hurt.

[chindit]

Becoming a referee is easy, Being a referee is hard. I refer to my earlier post, a cool head and experience makes a good referee. I miss fouls. I let a few minor ones go, my sense of what is "intentional" (hand ball for instance) is my own judgement in the split second. We hardly ever discuss what level of fouling is going to be allowed. There is no fine shading; all games are called according to the referee's experience and understanding of the rules. I don't call Tellico Plains v Greenback any different than Grace v McMinn Co; but if I called every foul in the Tellico example, the match would never end.

 

Pay your $$, take the test and get your patch.

[stevescarb]

Refs are our weak link. I would bet that more cards are issued for dissent than serious foul play and that is exactly backwards. It is not just a high school problem but it does seem to be more prevalent there from what I observe.

 

The two ref system should be outlawed. USSF doesn't allow it. FIFA doesn't allow it. When they can't provide three ref's, They use a club or local substitute for an assistant. TSSAA rules allow this, BTW, but nobody does it.

 

The burden of playing in a safe manner is on the players. "They didn't mean to," is in no way an excuse. Get those yellow cards out of your pockets, refs!

 

But first of all, how about spending a little time watching big time matches and learn what a foul looks like. That would be a big help.

Edited September 27, 2006 by stevescarb

[TigerEagle]

[quote name= But first of all, how about spending a little time watching big time matches and learn what a foul looks like. That would be a big help.

 

I think even watching NAIA and Div. III NCAA matches would help. As it is now, I see fouls called when any kind of contact is made.