2 officials vs. 3 officials

[Justafan379]

When should it be required to have 3 officials at a game? When is it appropriate to have only 2?

 

I have noticed most teams will schedule 3 officials for “big” games or district games. When a team only schedules 2 officials for a big game I think it shows how little their program cares for the welfare of the players. How much are you saving by only using 2 officials when a game gets out of hand and cards start flying? Now I will preface this by admitting I am not an official of any kind but have been around soccer long enough to recognize when a game has the potential to get out of hand. During a rough district game between 2 physical teams 3 officials should be required. When a 2 official system is used and a referee doesn’t make a call because the foul “didn’t happen on my side of the field” (direct quote from a ref) something is wrong with the officiating. A foul is a foul where ever it happens on the field. I have seen many an AR raise the flag to signal a foul using the 3 official system in all levels of soccer. If the rule with 2 officials is only to make calls on your side, the rule needs to be changed. Have the guts to make the call if you’re going to be a ref, no matter what system is used.

[CoachMikeLHS]

If you have a problem with 2 officials, you better stay where you are. We have had 2 games this year with only 1 official. They cost $60 each. It is not that we don't care, or can't afford the extra one, or even both. There are not that many out there anymore. Especially when most soccer games are scheduled on Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I have no problem getting them for Monday and Wednesday games. But face the facts. Nobody wants a game on Monday. Everyone has been laying around all weekend. No focus. And Wednesdays? Better watch out!

I know that during district tournament play, they usually use a 3 man crew during the semi's and the final.

[soccerdevil]

We always try to provide 3 officials at our home games. At least in the spring every game that we had at home had three. I'm sure that cost goes into the minds of some of the coaches. I can pay $120 for a dual or $160 for three. Times 8 homes games that $320 in savings that could go toward a bus, insurance, etc.

 

My issue is that some of the referees that we have should feel guilty for taking the money. The ones that can't keep up with the last defender, yet still call offsides being out of position need to really rethink why they are doing this. It isn't fair to my program monetarily or my team in regards to flow of the game for these guys who should have retired YEARS ago to still come out.

 

I understand that my program will not get the top officials as compared to the Bearden v Farragut game, but we should have some way of rating these guys who are basically stealing money from the high school soccer teams. And before anyone asks, yes ... I would prefer to have club linesman than throwing away $50 on an AR who can't get it right. At least the club linesman isn't costing me precious soccer funds missing calls.

 

Sorry, couldn't help but to type that out, been bugging me since having two home games in a row with dinosaur AR's.

[BigG]

It usually isn't a money issue, it is a numbers issue. With high schools scheduling 90% of their games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they only have so many refs to send out.

[Drusellcrum]

What about weekend tournament play... where every team pays the same entry fee and yet some games rate 2 officials over others who get 3.

[Justafan379]

It usually isn't a money issue, it is a numbers issue. With high schools scheduling 90% of their games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they only have so many refs to send out.

 

If that is the case then TSSAA needs to recruit more referees. There are plenty of 2 official games that have no problems. The problems arise when one official sees a foul and doesn't make a call because it's not in his area of responsibility. He doesn't want to show the other ref up. A ref should not be upset just because the other official makes a call in his area. Most centers don't mind the help when their AR makes a call from the sideline.

[CoachMikeLHS]

It usually isn't a money issue, it is a numbers issue. With high schools scheduling 90% of their games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they only have so many refs to send out.

 

If that is the case then TSSAA needs to recruit more referees.quote]

 

 

I don't think the TSSAA has a choice in the matter of how many refs there are. With the way they get ragged on all the time, they are dropping off every year. I guess they will just start charging more to us, to sweeten the pot a little. I know one of the best officials in the state, and he quit doing HS because he gave a Red Card in a state match to a deserving player. He got a bad wrap in the local rag, and decided to stick with USSF matches. I don't blame him. That is why I coach HS, and ref everything but......

[MVM]

It usually isn't a money issue, it is a numbers issue. With high schools scheduling 90% of their games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they only have so many refs to send out.

I assure you that was not the case in this case.

[MVM]

It usually isn't a money issue, it is a numbers issue. With high schools scheduling 90% of their games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they only have so many refs to send out.

 

If that is the case then TSSAA needs to recruit more referees.quote]

 

 

I don't think the TSSAA has a choice in the matter of how many refs there are. With the way they get ragged on all the time, they are dropping off every year. I guess they will just start charging more to us, to sweeten the pot a little. I know one of the best officials in the state, and he quit doing HS because he gave a Red Card in a state match to a deserving player. He got a bad wrap in the local rag, and decided to stick with USSF matches. I don't blame him. That is why I coach HS, and ref everything but......

Geez Coach.. Maybe I should take your advice and quit TSSAA before I really get started. LOL ..

[CoachMikeLHS]

Geez Coach.. Maybe I should take your advice and quit TSSAA before I really get started. LOL ..

 

I am not advising you of anything. If you are about to take the officials exam, by all means, go ahead. We need all we can get. Or if you are already one, press on my friend! You are a hero in my book. We can't play without you.

 

On another note,

I called a couple D2 U17 State League matches yesterday, and there is a reason the 3 man system is used. There is no way 2 could keep up with the speed of play. The fitness level of officials is becoming more and more a factor of who gets assigned in our area. For club matches, that is.

[Bean0007]

On another note,

I called a couple D2 U17 State League matches yesterday, and there is a reason the 3 man system is used. There is no way 2 could keep up with the speed of play. The fitness level of officials is becoming more and more a factor of who gets assigned in our area. For club matches, that is.

 

Coach (ref), do you see a significant difference in the speed of the game and the quality of play in the D2 vs. HS?

[CoachMikeLHS]

The first game, was very sloppy. It reminded me a lot of a HS team that had a few club players, and a lot of rec players, and your football and basketball athletes to complete the roster. It didn't get too chippy, but there was a lot of tension on the field. From the reaction of both coaches, it must have been a down day for both teams. With all the rain over the last few weeks, both teams had not played a game in a while.

The second game was great! Both teams, even though it was a very lopsided game (5-1) were riddled with skill and discipline. They were more physical, and very vocal, but overall it was a great game to work.

I wouldn't compare the game to a HS one. It was much faster to me. As an official, there was much more going on than just soccer, if you know what I mean.