Outside Look at Officiating

[alleyball]

After traveling around a bit and seeing many games in many states in the south, I want to perform my own view/ranking on soccer officiating. Of course this is a total non-scientific study, just a personal observation (and I think the quality differs with the individual, of course). For lack of a better method, we will use a grading system:

Grade: As
Would have to say was very impressed in Dallas and the Carolina's in this area. Would probably also give the Houston area a low 'A' as well.
Biggest reason, is the fact that you barely know they are on the field, but when they need to control the game they are there. It seems they don't start out trying to make it known that they are there.

Grade: Bs
I have seen some pretty good stuff in Florida and Georgia. Seem to do a good job of blending in as well, so your focus is on the play and not a "control freak" referee. Reason for the 'B' is have seen some varying inconsistency between officiating groups.

Grade: C
Due to the inconsistency in crews from Central to South, I put Mississippi at a very high C. To me still wanting to control too much of the action and once they have to grab control they continue to emphasize that they have the control, which takes away from the game.

Grade: C-
I won't go any lower than this, but I think Louisiana and Alabama fall into this category. Too many games I've seen the officiating crews start flexing their muscles to show who is in control prior to the opening whistle blowing. In some games, they become more of the focal point than the actual game, actually too often they become the focal point over the actual game. Who knows why, but as a spectator, it surely is evident that they don't try to blend in and control, but rather immediately and consistently show control - which ultimately takes away from the game.

All in all, everyone of these states have their extremely good crews and some extremely bad ones. Of course, as well, without these crews we wouldn't have the games, so regardless we owe them some gratitude.
Just a spectators view of how I see them fan out.

[futbolislife]

My own partial and biased observations, also unscientific:

The top group of La referees perform as well or better than any state in the region. Having been to many regionals, our top referees are always there in the group of top referees in the end. This past year, in the top 25 referees, 5 were from La. That is a big number when you have 20% of top referees when your state represents 8% of the total numbers at the tournament. When each state sends their top referees and we perform as well as we do, it has to say something about the overall quality f the program.

When you look at the top referees in the region, N.Tx, S Tx, Fl, N Car always do very well. Surprisingly, Ark has a program developing some fine young referees (called the "Young Guns" program). So your assessment of N Tx and S Tx is right on. I do believe your assessment by state can be flawed depending on where you make your assessment. If you are looking at tournament events, Dallas always draws top referees from around the country. The referees you saw may not have been from Tx at all. Areas like Houston have some very fine referees but the numbers game in that area dilutes the pool. IN states like Fl, the numbers of referees are so huge that you are inclined to see more upper level referees there than say La for the same size tournament. N.Tx numbers are concentrated in Dallas while S Tx is spread over many locations.

Even in La, your assessment of referees can vary widely. In each area of the state, I see referees have their own quirky things that carry through the area. But more and more, we see that dwindling. We see more referees willing to travel. So referees are working with other referees from other areas and picking up improvments in techniques and management. That can trickle down in their home areas.

In region 3, I would agree that Ntx, N Ca are "A", I think there are many others. The states that have programs like Referee Academies are doing well. But it really helps to have BIG numbers. I think you are being a bit rough on La. Maybe a C+ or B- overall. But again, I have to say, our top referees are among the best in the region. Admittedly, some areas in La may grade lower.

There is always room to improve. And we are working toward that goal. You should see the La Referee Academy roll out soon. It has been modeled after Fl, Ga and Ark who have shown some great success in their programs. We are hopeful for continued success in this area as well as development. The best referees are always capable of being better.

[alleyball]

I must say, I did hear something about the N-Tx tournament having officials from othe states as well.
All in all I do have to say that I am noticing improvements in La officiating from several years ago. Its more of a consistency case I rated the states on (from crew to crew on the field).
Its a different experience watching a soccer game where the game is the focus and the center and A/Rs are not out in front flexing their control.
futbolislife, your points are well taken.

[#28fanclub]

I have noticed that among the High School referees when they make a call, they seem to instigate arguments with the players.
Football referees will make a call and walk away no matter what is being said by the player, but soccer referees tend to argue back with a High School boy or girl. In return an argument escalates then the player gets a yellow or red card. This then brings about a trip to the principals office. Now I do not have a son or daughter in High School I just enjoy watching these games so this is not sour grapes about my child. Tell me if I am wrong or if you agree with this assesment.

[furriner]

perhaps the question to be asked is why do the football officials (assuming the above to be true) put up with this?? We then inherit the problem with football players masquerading as soccer players who not only throw their weight around, they expect to be able to abuse officials after a call is made.

[alleyball]

Nov 18, 2008 21:56:36 GMT -6 furriner said:

perhaps the question to be asked is why do the football officials (assuming the above to be true) put up with this?? We then inherit the problem with football players masquerading as soccer players who not only throw their weight around, they expect to be able to abuse officials after a call is made.

I think his point was not that the football officials were putting up with it, but rather the fact that they don't try to instigate anything by trading words with a player, where as in soccer the officials do find it necessary to trade words with players, which only escalates the situation. In football they make the call, don't trade comments with players, and if the player choices to continue a verbal attack, they apply the appropriate penalty or ejection without any words said to the player.

I do tend to agree with this observation. There are definitely a lot of soccer officials, who even prior to a call will make continous comments to players which tends to instigate more energy out of that player, and eventually ends with a call, and both player and official exchanging intense words, sometimes resulting in a card for the player.

Now to the second part of your statement, I can't say one way or the other as to weather this occurs with football players that play soccer. However, I can say that interaction between the officials and players on the girls side is the same in cases.

[Mung]

Nov 18, 2008 21:56:36 GMT -6 furriner said:

perhaps the question to be asked is why do the football officials (assuming the above to be true) put up with this?? We then inherit the problem with football players masquerading as soccer players who not only throw their weight around, they expect to be able to abuse officials after a call is made.

Hmm, a football hater. I always found it amusing when the football players report to soccer after playoffs and find their fitness isn't up to snuff. Tkae them awhile to get back.

As to the officiating, the kids need to learn to keep their mouths shut. Griping about calls only hurts your team, and I like the rugby method, where the official completely controls the game, and the players don't complain, or they get penalized.

[PutMeInCoach2]

Nov 18, 2008 14:05:21 GMT -6 #28fanclub said:

I have noticed that among the High School referees when they make a call, they seem to instigate arguments with the players.
Football referees will make a call and walk away no matter what is being said by the player, but soccer referees tend to argue back with a High School boy or girl. In return an argument escalates then the player gets a yellow or red card. This then brings about a trip to the principals office. Now I do not have a son or daughter in High School I just enjoy watching these games so this is not sour grapes about my child. Tell me if I am wrong or if you agree with this assesment.

First off, a player can be cautioned for just making a comment about a call which is dissent, therefore something that an arguement escalates into was probally desent before hand and should of been yellowed at the start.

It all depends on the referee, do I doubt that some will sit there and argue a call with some player? Not at all. However, I have also been in the situation of having to call obstruction and the girls don't know what obstruction was, so was they hott,, hell yea...

It all depends upon the attitude of the referee and how he talks back in the matter, I always give a quick response in the fashion of a yellow or No, play on, or something to this nature.

[futbolislife]

My personal opinion on some of the issues raised:

Dissent -
The effective referee does not pull yellow at the first utterance. They first should try to understand where the dissent is coming from. Very often, players (and coaches) may have some real information that can be utilized. Maybe something happened that the referee can deal with and watch later. Understand the source of the dissent - frustration? prior foul not dealt with? player not feeling protected? If the referee can understand and relate to the source, they can usually deal with it easier than pulling yellow. Just pulling yellow on dissent doesn't ease the dissent, it just buries it. It will likely emerge as something bigger later. A hard foul, an unfair challenge, etc. Referees need to DWI - Deal with it. A card does not always settle a player, just adds fuel to the fire.

And then moving into that issue of DWI
The referee should know when there are times to be a friend and times to be stern and harsh. Understanding the source of problems will provide information on when to choose which tactic. (See note at end on understanding fouls) There was some earlier comments about referees giving the attitude or arguing with players. There are times when just the "look" can say to a player "I have had enough and there will be no more". That look may be perceived as some as attitude but when done properly, conveys the proper message to that one player. No need to chew a player out then. No need to publicly humiliate or embarrass a player. Going down that road again adds fuel to a fire. Many players will take out the frustration created by the referee on another player and then that results in a situation where the referee, has no choice but to a send off. Referees need to be the calm in the eye of the storm. When there is turmoil and chaos around them, they cannot be the one overreacting, screaming, etc This does absolutely nothing at all to calm players.

But also let me add that while all of this may sound easy, it is not. This takes practice, understanding and some level of maturity. Players should not be expecting this from referees early in their development process. It is akin to asking young players to play for the national team after playing for a year or two or three.

Just my opinion.

And in reference to "uderstanding fouls" there will be aclassroom session on "Why fouls occur" later in January. Fouls have patterns. Certain positions on the field commit very predictable type fouls in very predictable circumstances. Knowing when they will occur and why they occur is such a huge step to MANAGING the game. Info to be posted later as details are finalized.