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[RefKid]

The entry level for center refereeing, level 8, does not have to pass a physical. After that, the level 7 and above all require a certain physical level of fitness.

I personally believe that video replay would be a great thing, especially for the higher-level matches. Am I the only one who gets tired of the flopping at the professional level and think that video review would be a great thing?

[EWSoccer64]

We had issues with this a few weeks ago as posted on the girls HS soccer thread regarding a parent of a kid on our HS team who was our AR 3 out of 4 games.  His behavior was not okay as he was criticizing one of our players to another of our players and telling them what he thought she should do on the field.  We got a hold of our AR and the referee assignor for our conference who assured us that it would be taken care of....he never directed us to an evaluation form, and the parent AR showed up at the very next game.  Don't really trust the system anymore.

This person was an AR for a game where he had a child on the team? That is a clear conflict of interest and would not be allowed in any association that I have been exposed to.
All the referee associations use the same software and they all have an evaluation form. However, in this case (because it is HS) you actually have another option. You could report the unresolved conflict of interest to the WOA (Washington Officials Association). There should be contact information on the WIAA website (www.wiaa.com).

The obvious answer is a shortage of officials.

[Redkard]

Go to the Video,

I've either had a fellow referee shoot video of a match or purchased video of matches over the past four to five years.  Yes the knowledge has helped me along the way.

The video works if it is done properly, especially by someone who know how to shoot a game does help.  At the larger events: showcases and higher level tournaments there are recruiting companies there making videos of game for the player/families to buy.  We referees can often get a copy of the videos at a discounted price. 

You are correct, seeing oneself is an eye opening experience.

These videos are shot from a high angle that sees the entire field, when we can get both a perspective view of the plays in question and the positioning (the most important aspect of refereeing) of the referee during the course of the game.  The tight shot with two players battling for the ball does nothing but give a jaded view of what's going on.  People from the touch line shoot video with their team in mind, thus it's video shot from a biased perspective.

Video is welcomed if it is neutral shot video. 

[EWSoccer64]

Make sure you are talking about Spokane or the Spokane valley.   Not just different websites and SRA's but the valley is not part of any SRA!!!!!

[SoccerFlicks]

Photos PHOTOS not video!!  Now that would be the business for me!

 

Thanks for the insite of this string and beyond.

Say, Redcard, it'd be great if you could ref one of my boys games someday - I'd get those pics online and maybe ask if, only for fun, if this reffin' fella needs new glasses!!   

[Left Foot]

Not really applicable to the youth soccer context, but what the SEC has done where the officiating doesn't measure up is somewhat of a breath of fresh air. It does raise the point, especially given the info in this thread on the fact that there is feedback and learning going on all the time in the ref ranks, that folks can perhaps calm down in the face of less than stellar officiating when they can rest assured that the system works to improve over time.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/10/21/sec-officials.ap/index.html

[Bad Boy's Girlfriend]

Referees are probably the most accountable people on the field. All the referee asscociations have an evaluation form that you can submit on their web site. The evaluations are reviewed by the assignor(s) and the referee is given an opportunity to respond. If it is determined that a complaint is valid, an assessor is usually sent out to evaluate the referee on a subsequent match or matches. If a deficency is determined, the referee can be downgraded or prevented from signing up for games until corrective action is taken.  If the complaint also results in a protest then the state determines whether the match must be replayed or not, and the association take the appropriate action regarding the referee.

Okay, so this means it's the ref's word against the coaches or CP's, and who do you think the assignor will believe? Pointless process, because we all know they will always side with the ref and expect everyone else to bow down and wash their feet because they have such a tough job that nobody wants to do.  Notice how all the "ref posters" came running to post on this thread?  They watch out for each other, even the bad ones.  I know of situations where refs have flat out lied to save their arse, and those in power simply chopped it up to insane coach who filed complaint.  Some refs are down right arrogant because of this brotherhood knowing they'll never get into trouble, and if any person were to speak to them like some of these refs speak to the kids, coaches, and sidelines, they would be handing out cards like you wouldn't believe.  With that said, I do think 95% of the refs out there are good people trying their best to call a fair game and I've told way more refs "nice job today sir" than I have "#$&#$^ #**&# *#Y$#* *#Y*# ", but there's too much protection over the 5% that are bad apples.     

[soccer45girls]

We had some good officiating this weekend. A couple of key mistakes, but very well done overall. One call in Sunday's game where a defender handed the ball in the goalie's 6 yard box. The ball dropped right down to her feet and she kicked it out. The ref called it unintentional, but this was in the box, and it dropped right down to her feet!
There was an 'unintentional' hit on the ball by one of our players in midfield later in the game, so he left it alone. This one was a wild bounce off of her foot and against her hand.
The previous day's game (Saturday) the ref did pretty well. The game was allowed to be played, but yet controlled so no real injuries were inflicted. One kick and a step on the arm of the goalie after she had possession. The ref warned her to back off when goalie has possession, but no cards were given. Again, good clean officiating and playing. More enjoyable that way. 

[Left Foot]

We had some good officiating this weekend. A couple of key mistakes, but very well done overall. One call in Sunday's game where a defender handed the ball in the goalie's 6 yard box. The ball dropped right down to her feet and she kicked it out. The ref called it unintentional, but this was in the box, and it dropped right down to her feet!
There was an 'unintentional' hit on the ball by one of our players in midfield later in the game, so he left it alone. This one was a wild bounce off of her foot and against her hand.
The previous day's game (Saturday) the ref did pretty well. The game was allowed to be played, but yet controlled so no real injuries were inflicted. One kick and a step on the arm of the goalie after she had possession. The ref warned her to back off when goalie has possession, but no cards were given. Again, good clean officiating and playing. More enjoyable that way. 

Ok, you refs out there. See the highlighted section above. Does where an "unintentional" handball occurs or where the ball lands subsequent to such a touch matter?

[Otter]

We had some good officiating this weekend. A couple of key mistakes, but very well done overall. One call in Sunday's game where a defender handed the ball in the goalie's 6 yard box. The ball dropped right down to her feet and she kicked it out. The ref called it unintentional, but this was in the box, and it dropped right down to her feet!
There was an 'unintentional' hit on the ball by one of our players in midfield later in the game, so he left it alone. This one was a wild bounce off of her foot and against her hand.
The previous day's game (Saturday) the ref did pretty well. The game was allowed to be played, but yet controlled so no real injuries were inflicted. One kick and a step on the arm of the goalie after she had possession. The ref warned her to back off when goalie has possession, but no cards were given. Again, good clean officiating and playing. More enjoyable that way. 

Ok, you refs out there. See the highlighted section above. Does where an "unintentional" handball occurs or where the ball lands subsequent to such a touch matter?

Handling is an offense that is commonly misunderstood.

Where the ball lands after hitting an arm or hand is not taken into consideration on whether you call “unintentional” handling (i.e., no foul).  Where it occurs on the field does not matter. 

If the player moved their arm or hand to play the ball then it is handling.  If the ball simple hit their hand or arm, it is not handling (well, provided they didn’t fan their arms out and make themselves bigger so the ball "accidently" hit their arms…). 

Some referees (and a lot of players, coaches and parents) mistakenly believe that if you “gain an advantage” because of where the ball fell, then it is handling.  Handling is deliberately moving your hand or arm to touch the ball.  An easy way to think of it is hand to ball (foul) or ball to hand (no foul).     

The following guidance is from FIFA’s Interpretation of the laws of the game and guidelines for referees:

Handling the ball
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement

[Left Foot]

We had some good officiating this weekend. A couple of key mistakes, but very well done overall. One call in Sunday's game where a defender handed the ball in the goalie's 6 yard box. The ball dropped right down to her feet and she kicked it out. The ref called it unintentional, but this was in the box, and it dropped right down to her feet!
There was an 'unintentional' hit on the ball by one of our players in midfield later in the game, so he left it alone. This one was a wild bounce off of her foot and against her hand.
The previous day's game (Saturday) the ref did pretty well. The game was allowed to be played, but yet controlled so no real injuries were inflicted. One kick and a step on the arm of the goalie after she had possession. The ref warned her to back off when goalie has possession, but no cards were given. Again, good clean officiating and playing. More enjoyable that way. 

Ok, you refs out there. See the highlighted section above. Does where an "unintentional" handball occurs or where the ball lands subsequent to such a touch matter?

Handling is an offense that is commonly misunderstood.

Where the ball lands after hitting an arm or hand is not taken into consideration on whether you call “unintentional” handling (i.e., no foul).  Where it occurs on the field does not matter. 

If the player moved their arm or hand to play the ball then it is handling.  If the ball simple hit their hand or arm, it is not handling (well, provided they didn’t fan their arms out and make themselves bigger so the ball "accidently" hit their arms…). 

Some referees (and a lot of players, coaches and parents) mistakenly believe that if you “gain an advantage” because of where the ball fell, then it is handling.  Handling is deliberately moving your hand or arm to touch the ball.  An easy way to think of it is hand to ball (foul) or ball to hand (no foul).     

The following guidance is from FIFA’s Interpretation of the laws of the game and guidelines for referees:

Handling the ball
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement

Thank you. I suspected as much. 

[Refdad]

Okay, so this means it's the ref's word against the coaches or CP's, and who do you think the assignor will believe? Pointless process, because we all know they will always side with the ref and expect everyone else to bow down and wash their feet because they have such a tough job that nobody wants to do. 

Yup. Just like when you complain about the lousy job the cop is doing directing traffic, or you go to court to challenge that bogus speeding ticket.  It's your word against the cop's.  Now, if that officer starts getting lots of complaints – we can only hope it will be noticed and some action will be taken.

Notice how all the "ref posters" came running to post on this thread?  They watch out for each other, even the bad ones. 

Yup. I think mostly because they've been there, done that, got the t-shirt and understand the view from behind the whistle.

I know of situations where refs have flat out lied to save their arse, and those in power simply chopped it up to insane coach who filed complaint. 

Unfortunate and I don't doubt your statement to be true.  Referees come from the same ranks as parents, coaches and others in your local community.  What's the level of integrity in your community?  Overall, I find integrity among soccer referees to be high.  We may be fat, blind, lazy and incompetent –- but overall, integrity is high.

Some refs are down right arrogant because of this brotherhood knowing they'll never get into trouble, and if any person were to speak to them like some of these refs speak to the kids, coaches, and sidelines, they would be handing out cards like you wouldn't believe. 

Yup.  That's the job.  I often explain that the referee does not lead a democracy on the pitch, but rather a benevolent dictatorship.  You know what happens when you argue with a dictator?  They make you disappear. 

With that said, I do think 95% of the refs out there are good people trying their best to call a fair game and I've told way more refs "nice job today sir" than I have "#$&#$^ #**&# *#Y$#* *#Y*# ", but there's too much protection over the 5% that are bad apples.     

I sure hope it's not that they're being protected but rather that the resources to mentor, assess and supervise just haven't caught up with specific miscreants posing as referees!

[soccer45girls]

We had some good officiating this weekend. A couple of key mistakes, but very well done overall. One call in Sunday's game where a defender handed the ball in the goalie's 6 yard box. The ball dropped right down to her feet and she kicked it out. The ref called it unintentional, but this was in the box, and it dropped right down to her feet!
There was an 'unintentional' hit on the ball by one of our players in midfield later in the game, so he left it alone. This one was a wild bounce off of her foot and against her hand.
The previous day's game (Saturday) the ref did pretty well. The game was allowed to be played, but yet controlled so no real injuries were inflicted. One kick and a step on the arm of the goalie after she had possession. The ref warned her to back off when goalie has possession, but no cards were given. Again, good clean officiating and playing. More enjoyable that way. 

Ok, you refs out there. See the highlighted section above. Does where an "unintentional" handball occurs or where the ball lands subsequent to such a touch matter?

Handling is an offense that is commonly misunderstood.

Where the ball lands after hitting an arm or hand is not taken into consideration on whether you call “unintentional” handling (i.e., no foul).  Where it occurs on the field does not matter. 

If the player moved their arm or hand to play the ball then it is handling.  If the ball simple hit their hand or arm, it is not handling (well, provided they didn’t fan their arms out and make themselves bigger so the ball "accidently" hit their arms…). 

Some referees (and a lot of players, coaches and parents) mistakenly believe that if you “gain an advantage” because of where the ball fell, then it is handling.  Handling is deliberately moving your hand or arm to touch the ball.  An easy way to think of it is hand to ball (foul) or ball to hand (no foul).     

The following guidance is from FIFA’s Interpretation of the laws of the game and guidelines for referees:

Handling the ball
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement

Okay, thanks Otter. So I will watch and learn again. Makes sense, but it's so hard to know when it is considered a foul. It seems like it's handled differently from game to game. This one just looked intentional. But then again, it goes back to interpretation. Again, this ref did a good job and was consistent in his calls, just a wierd call, that's all. 

[EWSoccer64]

Well done, Otter.

And for those coaches who feel an enormous need to complain about the coaches, a quiet word to a senior referee or to the head of the SRA makes a much bigger difference than screaming on the sidelines.

There was a game up in Bellingham that I coached (the boys were U-13? and the center was a bright young up and coming referee) more than 15 years ago.   The referee seemed a bit intimidated about refereeing at that level and it was above his capabilities.   Afterwards, I approached the ref tent to talk to the most senior ref that I could find.   The group of OLD FART REFs that were sitting around at first started to blow me off in no uncertain terms.   After they learned that:
1) I was not protesting the game.
2)  That I was a referee myself.
and
 3) Among other things, the kid Center had called an Indirect Free Kick in the penalty area for a handball (against my team).   
     The Old Fart Referee Coverup Committee shut their yaps, and the Ref Assignor and I had a nice little chat about the young Center.   The Assignor promised to help him, which was the point of the whole thing.  Young refs need assistance and guidance, not tar and feathers.

[Soccer Wonk]

And if I might also weigh in here, on the subject of the foul popularly called a "handball", more properly termed deliberate handling of the ball ....

If you have a kid referee (or a new adult referee, for that matter) who's trying to apply the law correctly, it doesn't help a bit if a ball bounces up off the ground, hits a player in the arm when said arm is in a perfectly normal and natural playing position, and have a bunch of folks on the sidelines start calling "handball". (Plus, I think the threshold is different in professional games, where the players have faster reflexes, and the ball is less prone to take crazy and unavoidable bounces from a mishit or a poor playing surface.)

I think it DOES influence some referees to start off their reffing experience applying a different interpretation of the law than the law intends.
 
And I know of at least one instance where a bunch of parents called "handball", the defenders on their team stopped, the keeper came off his line, the referee never blew the whistle, and the opponent in possession put a thirty-five yarder into the back of the net. Final score was 1-0.

[Trixie]

Guess who showed up at our MS soccer game to ref?  Yep, same guy that kept showing up to ref our HS games with a kid on the team.  And yes, he has a kid on our MS soccer team also!  The referee assignor doesn't give a D!