OCTOBER 19, 2008
McLEAN, VA -- Few games, maybe none, left me feeling about soccer and refereeing as did this one. It was cold, high 40s at game time, but was a beautiful sunny day. Just opened this fall was an artificial turf field at Springhill Recreation Park #2.
It was about a 150-200 meter walk down to the field which was nestled in the woods. It was beautiful at the field.
The teams were in the WDC -- WAGS Division Champion. These were the best of the best regardless of age. And really, standings don't matter, it really is about the competition.
The teams were the McLean Freedom which I later figured out was the old Gunston Team America/Washington Freedom team. In fact, they wore the Washington Freedom kit. The visitors were the Bethesda Dragons, who were winless (0-5-1) in the division but had just won their group in the WAGS Tournament Showcase.
The skill of these players was unbelievable. Both teams played touchline to touchline which meant this ref did a lot of running in the middle. The teams challenged each other but nothing reckless and nothing came close to being cardable. The players accepted every call I made and never squawked about the ones I didn't. No one tried to "work" this ref.
The score didn't matter. It was 0-0 at halftime but the play was perhaps 60-40 in favor of Freedom. Before the game began I asked a player what age group they were in and she told me U18. And then I recognized #19, Erica Hollenberg. I had reffed this team at Tyrrell three years ago against Dave Cresswell's U16 team. They were U15s playing up in age and destroyed the Courage 6-0. Erica had four goals that day and some were from very far out. She could hit them on a rope from 35 yards and hit the goal. I knew this was a good team.
I wouldn't say that I was nervous but it took me at least 20 minutes to figure out the game. And I was uncharacteristically quiet. I usually talk with the players when appropriate and I was really trying to find where I belonged in this match and never wanting to be caught behind play.
The first foul was easy. It was about 10 minutes in and a blue player (BETH) tugged the jersey of a white (MCLN) player near midfield. It was enough to slow her down and disrupt the play. A quick whistle and everyone accepted the call. I didn't have much throughout the game, maybe 10-12 fouls total.
There was scoring in the second half. The Freedom's #10 Caroline Miller scored in the 52' and 70 and Molly Menchel closed out the scoring in the 88'. In the second half I asked the BETH team how old they were and learned they were U16s. Wow. They weren't outplayed by a lot but the two year age difference was still noticeable.
But throughout the game I never heard one word of dissent from either bench or the players. And not a word from the parents either. Every call was accepted by the teams. No whining, no complaining.
Too many times referees believe the teams should be honored that they were there. I was honored to be part of this game. Right after the match I sent a note to WAGS and told them what a credit to WAGS and to the game these players and teams were.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Senior Referee Physical Test
SPRINGFIELD, VA
At referee levels in USSF higher than the entry grades of 8 or 9 one must pass a physical test each year. My first one was in 2001 and I repeated in 2002 and 2003. My last attempt at the physical test was August 16, 2003.
There was a reason. My foot was getting progressively worse. The Achilles was constantly swollen. Ice therapy felt good but didn't help. I would have surgery in December and when that
didn't work, again in October, 2004.
I am in favor of a physical for every referee. One simply must be fit to be a soccer referee. But we don't test referees at Grade 8 and I was unable to continue with Grade 7 or higher after the surgeries.
In August, 2003, I was required to run 1800 meters in 12 minutes. One is required to run for 12 minutes -- how far depends on the referee Grade and age. I agree with a higher level for higher grades but not a lower level for advanced age. You're either fit for that level or you're not. But still, over 45, and one gets a special age dispensation. I disagree with it but will take it.
I went out and ran 2200 meters. That would have qualified me to be a State referee under 45. But looking back, I seemingly was always injured. In December, 2002, I limped through on a very bad hamstring. In August, 2003, it was the Achilles as it always was for about 10 years. Geez!
For five years I gave up the Sr. Ref grade and limped through as a Grade 8. But I was assessed in May, at the same stadium at West Springfield H.S. where the physical was today.
There were three of us on the track. The other two refs were both State referees, Grade 6. One was 35 and the other was 45. I was the old guy at 53. They had to run 2200 meters and I had to run 1800. But I wasn't going to do the bare minimum.
The temperature was in the mid 80s which wasn't bad for a mid-August day. We started the run. The "youngster" led out the pace and for half a lap we were in age order, 1-2-3. I thought we would stay together but I found the two younger guys were a bit stronger. I decided to let them go.
Plus I hadn't warmed up but none of us had. I was starting to suffer greatly. And my thoughts went to my lunchtime ride with the boys from DC Velo. We were flying when the leaders took off. At first I thought I would match them but one guy got spit out the back. I stayed with the group but then remembered "hey, I run tonight." I sat up and decided to ride my own pace.
But it wasn't long before I hooked up with another rider. He was shot off the back too. The leaders took the word "group" out of group ride. Oh well, I got in a nice ride, 19+ mph average and thought I saved something for the test. Maybe not.
On the track, our two leaders stayed together and I watched their butts leaving me in the distance. But after a lap and a half I saw I was gaining on runner #2 and runner #1 was off by himself. Strange how this came back together. By the end of lap two I was back up with #2 and thought I would pace off him. Instead, I passed him. And never looked back.
He made his time -- barely. He just got his 2200 meters he needed to pass. I never caught up to #1 but almost did. My distance was an honest 2500 meters -- almost a full lap better than when I last did this event five years ago.
We also had to run the 200 meter and 50 meter runs. Qualifying time was 40 seconds in the 200 and nine seconds in the 50. No start blocks, just a standing start. Not looking to pull any muscles, the three of us basically did a hard jog to easily make the times.
It felt good doing another physical test. Especially so because I do not run. I don't remember the last time I went for a run. A ride, yes. Play Ultimate, yes. But not for a run. I just don't do it so it was satisfying knowing that my fitness is up but about 15% better than five years ago.
At referee levels in USSF higher than the entry grades of 8 or 9 one must pass a physical test each year. My first one was in 2001 and I repeated in 2002 and 2003. My last attempt at the physical test was August 16, 2003.
There was a reason. My foot was getting progressively worse. The Achilles was constantly swollen. Ice therapy felt good but didn't help. I would have surgery in December and when that
didn't work, again in October, 2004.
I am in favor of a physical for every referee. One simply must be fit to be a soccer referee. But we don't test referees at Grade 8 and I was unable to continue with Grade 7 or higher after the surgeries.
In August, 2003, I was required to run 1800 meters in 12 minutes. One is required to run for 12 minutes -- how far depends on the referee Grade and age. I agree with a higher level for higher grades but not a lower level for advanced age. You're either fit for that level or you're not. But still, over 45, and one gets a special age dispensation. I disagree with it but will take it.
I went out and ran 2200 meters. That would have qualified me to be a State referee under 45. But looking back, I seemingly was always injured. In December, 2002, I limped through on a very bad hamstring. In August, 2003, it was the Achilles as it always was for about 10 years. Geez!
For five years I gave up the Sr. Ref grade and limped through as a Grade 8. But I was assessed in May, at the same stadium at West Springfield H.S. where the physical was today.
There were three of us on the track. The other two refs were both State referees, Grade 6. One was 35 and the other was 45. I was the old guy at 53. They had to run 2200 meters and I had to run 1800. But I wasn't going to do the bare minimum.
The temperature was in the mid 80s which wasn't bad for a mid-August day. We started the run. The "youngster" led out the pace and for half a lap we were in age order, 1-2-3. I thought we would stay together but I found the two younger guys were a bit stronger. I decided to let them go.
Plus I hadn't warmed up but none of us had. I was starting to suffer greatly. And my thoughts went to my lunchtime ride with the boys from DC Velo. We were flying when the leaders took off. At first I thought I would match them but one guy got spit out the back. I stayed with the group but then remembered "hey, I run tonight." I sat up and decided to ride my own pace.
But it wasn't long before I hooked up with another rider. He was shot off the back too. The leaders took the word "group" out of group ride. Oh well, I got in a nice ride, 19+ mph average and thought I saved something for the test. Maybe not.
On the track, our two leaders stayed together and I watched their butts leaving me in the distance. But after a lap and a half I saw I was gaining on runner #2 and runner #1 was off by himself. Strange how this came back together. By the end of lap two I was back up with #2 and thought I would pace off him. Instead, I passed him. And never looked back.
He made his time -- barely. He just got his 2200 meters he needed to pass. I never caught up to #1 but almost did. My distance was an honest 2500 meters -- almost a full lap better than when I last did this event five years ago.
We also had to run the 200 meter and 50 meter runs. Qualifying time was 40 seconds in the 200 and nine seconds in the 50. No start blocks, just a standing start. Not looking to pull any muscles, the three of us basically did a hard jog to easily make the times.
It felt good doing another physical test. Especially so because I do not run. I don't remember the last time I went for a run. A ride, yes. Play Ultimate, yes. But not for a run. I just don't do it so it was satisfying knowing that my fitness is up but about 15% better than five years ago.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
A Good Season
Well, the season has come and gone. It was my first season refereeing high school and I went from someone relatively well-known, and hopefully respected, to the new-kid-on-the-block. I think I did fairly well.
Like most newcomers, I was told that my first season I wouldn't get any middles which was OK by me. Having observed high school ball over the years I noticed that the refs do a pretty good job in the middle and a below average job on the lines. If I can be a great AR than that would be OK by me.
But just a few weeks into the season I got a middle assigned. It was a boys game between two teams not in the same district.
The game started innocently enough. There were a few fouls and I was on top of them. But then the better team scored. Three times in all right before the end of the half.
What happened next wasn't so pretty. The team kept scoring but not so graciously. As Klaus Staefe told me afterwards, even when this team wins big they make it hard for the other team. Everything was borderline. Taunting? Not so but almost. And taunting in high school is a red card offense. Simulation? Not so but almost. Everytime this team was fouled, and they were winning 5-0, they yelled, rolled, and stayed down.
After the game I asked Klaus if I kept a lid on the game or failed to keep it from boiling over. He told me it was a little of both.
I wish I had a couple of days to digest that. But I had an assessment game the next day. It would not leave me confident.
But the assessment game went well. Very well, in fact.
Refereeing is not much different than being a player. If you have a bad game you must learn from it then forget about it and move on. That is what I did.
I finished out the season with some great assignments including a District final and Regional final as well. I'm actually looking forward to our next high school season.
Like most newcomers, I was told that my first season I wouldn't get any middles which was OK by me. Having observed high school ball over the years I noticed that the refs do a pretty good job in the middle and a below average job on the lines. If I can be a great AR than that would be OK by me.
But just a few weeks into the season I got a middle assigned. It was a boys game between two teams not in the same district.
The game started innocently enough. There were a few fouls and I was on top of them. But then the better team scored. Three times in all right before the end of the half.
What happened next wasn't so pretty. The team kept scoring but not so graciously. As Klaus Staefe told me afterwards, even when this team wins big they make it hard for the other team. Everything was borderline. Taunting? Not so but almost. And taunting in high school is a red card offense. Simulation? Not so but almost. Everytime this team was fouled, and they were winning 5-0, they yelled, rolled, and stayed down.
After the game I asked Klaus if I kept a lid on the game or failed to keep it from boiling over. He told me it was a little of both.
I wish I had a couple of days to digest that. But I had an assessment game the next day. It would not leave me confident.
But the assessment game went well. Very well, in fact.
Refereeing is not much different than being a player. If you have a bad game you must learn from it then forget about it and move on. That is what I did.
I finished out the season with some great assignments including a District final and Regional final as well. I'm actually looking forward to our next high school season.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Rain, Mud, and Thunderstorms
SATURDAY MAY 10, 2008, SIDNEY, OHIO
Ryan White and I headed out to Sidney, Ohio for the 12th Annual Mayfest Tournament. We drove to west of Columbus through some heavy rains, finally arriving Marysville at 2:00 a.m. Morning came quick, and we were on the road shortly after 6:00 a.m. As we drove through the country roads, many of the corn fields looked like rice paddies. There was standing water everywhere.
Not sure what we wanted more. To have driven that far to learn the tournament was canceled or to actually ref in those conditions. We refereed.
The complex where we were assigned, Sidney High School, had acres of flat open fields that had been lined for soccer. Although not premier fields, the grass was good on all fields. Where you could see the grass that is. There was standing water on all the fields and areas of mud more than 6" deep on many fields.
But the day was beautiful. The temperature only climbed to 65 but it was sunny, albeit a bit breezy. It was cool in the shade.
It was a beautiful day but it wasn't a day of beautiful soccer. The best passes seemed to find their way to a puddle and die. Many times the kids looked like a bad golfer in a sand trap trying two and three times to knock the ball out of the puddle. Sometimes only a large splash would result.
At the end of the day, I was covered in mud. From the top of my socks to the bottom of my shorts I was caked in dry mud. It was all over the back of my shorts and up my back as well.
It rained Saturday night. A lot. I was sure with the forecast for more rain in Sunday that the tournament would be canceled. It wasn't. At 8:00 a.m. it wasn't raining and the organizers were huddled around their laptops watching radar images. The fields were worse than the day before.
But we played. It rained lightly a little then before the 9:15 a.m. game, the sun came out. For three minutes. Then it disappeared, quickly, and was replaced by heavy rain. We played although I thought about suspending play due to visibility. But that too only lasted about three minutes. Then it was just rain. And lightning.
When I saw the lightning strike, I blew my whistle and suspended my game. The players actually ran to safety. No arguing about lightning here. Within two minutes the horn blew across the complex and everyone went for cover.
We first got word that the Cincinnati team that had been playing decided to go home instead. And after waiting out some of the severe weather, it was still storming after all, we informed the referee director that we would be leaving. We did have an 8 hour drive (turned into 11) ahead of us and he thanked us for coming. While we were eating at the Spot in Sidney, we learned from some other players that the tournament had just been canceled.
The Mayfest Classic is truly an event the community rallies behind. The high school complex consist of many acres of flat land which seems to be used only for the tournament. The fields will recover.
Ryan White and I headed out to Sidney, Ohio for the 12th Annual Mayfest Tournament. We drove to west of Columbus through some heavy rains, finally arriving Marysville at 2:00 a.m. Morning came quick, and we were on the road shortly after 6:00 a.m. As we drove through the country roads, many of the corn fields looked like rice paddies. There was standing water everywhere.
Not sure what we wanted more. To have driven that far to learn the tournament was canceled or to actually ref in those conditions. We refereed.
The complex where we were assigned, Sidney High School, had acres of flat open fields that had been lined for soccer. Although not premier fields, the grass was good on all fields. Where you could see the grass that is. There was standing water on all the fields and areas of mud more than 6" deep on many fields.
But the day was beautiful. The temperature only climbed to 65 but it was sunny, albeit a bit breezy. It was cool in the shade.
It was a beautiful day but it wasn't a day of beautiful soccer. The best passes seemed to find their way to a puddle and die. Many times the kids looked like a bad golfer in a sand trap trying two and three times to knock the ball out of the puddle. Sometimes only a large splash would result.
At the end of the day, I was covered in mud. From the top of my socks to the bottom of my shorts I was caked in dry mud. It was all over the back of my shorts and up my back as well.
It rained Saturday night. A lot. I was sure with the forecast for more rain in Sunday that the tournament would be canceled. It wasn't. At 8:00 a.m. it wasn't raining and the organizers were huddled around their laptops watching radar images. The fields were worse than the day before.
But we played. It rained lightly a little then before the 9:15 a.m. game, the sun came out. For three minutes. Then it disappeared, quickly, and was replaced by heavy rain. We played although I thought about suspending play due to visibility. But that too only lasted about three minutes. Then it was just rain. And lightning.
When I saw the lightning strike, I blew my whistle and suspended my game. The players actually ran to safety. No arguing about lightning here. Within two minutes the horn blew across the complex and everyone went for cover.
We first got word that the Cincinnati team that had been playing decided to go home instead. And after waiting out some of the severe weather, it was still storming after all, we informed the referee director that we would be leaving. We did have an 8 hour drive (turned into 11) ahead of us and he thanked us for coming. While we were eating at the Spot in Sidney, we learned from some other players that the tournament had just been canceled.
The Mayfest Classic is truly an event the community rallies behind. The high school complex consist of many acres of flat land which seems to be used only for the tournament. The fields will recover.
This was my second game on Saturday (9:15 a.m.). The ball by the chair is not the game ball -- just an extra. The ball is still at the player's feet -- although she gave it her best whack and succeeded only in soaking her opponent. Notice the opponent's foot covered in mud. Then notice the player on the right and ask yourself just how far down is her foot sunk?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Finally - High School
Let's be real. I am on the downward slope of athletic ability, having lost more than a step the past few years. Just about the time I thought about doing high school games in addition to USSF games, I started having severe foot problems which resulted in three surgeries in four years. I decided there were only so many games in these legs and not to pursue the high school route too.
With some gentle nudging over the winter, that changed. I attended our rules clinic and last night took on my first assignment as a referee. It was Potomac vs. Osbourn Park (OP). OP is the defending Va. AAA boys champion. What a game to start.
It's still winter although late in the day the temperature climbed to near 60. The 5:30 match was the JVs. We used a two-man system on that game with both of us referees. I soaked through one Under-Armour shirt and then changed between games. For the second I was an AR. After sunset temperatures dipped back into the 40s.
I knew kids on both teams. That's one of the drawbacks (?) of being Head Referee for PWSRA. But it was fun. And to them I will say do not be offended if I do not acknowledge you. I do know you but it does give the appearance of bias if I am chatting it up with you. So during games, you will be number 23 and I will be ref.
This was my first assignment and I had an assessor at the match. Although it wasn't for me, it was for the assigned referee who had worked high school games but for another group, but I was still under the watchful eye of the association's assessor.
The games were mostly uneventful. OP won 4-1 in the JV game and 5-0 in the varsity. Most importantly, I survived and look forward to my next assignment tomorrow at Forest Park.
With some gentle nudging over the winter, that changed. I attended our rules clinic and last night took on my first assignment as a referee. It was Potomac vs. Osbourn Park (OP). OP is the defending Va. AAA boys champion. What a game to start.
It's still winter although late in the day the temperature climbed to near 60. The 5:30 match was the JVs. We used a two-man system on that game with both of us referees. I soaked through one Under-Armour shirt and then changed between games. For the second I was an AR. After sunset temperatures dipped back into the 40s.
I knew kids on both teams. That's one of the drawbacks (?) of being Head Referee for PWSRA. But it was fun. And to them I will say do not be offended if I do not acknowledge you. I do know you but it does give the appearance of bias if I am chatting it up with you. So during games, you will be number 23 and I will be ref.
This was my first assignment and I had an assessor at the match. Although it wasn't for me, it was for the assigned referee who had worked high school games but for another group, but I was still under the watchful eye of the association's assessor.
The games were mostly uneventful. OP won 4-1 in the JV game and 5-0 in the varsity. Most importantly, I survived and look forward to my next assignment tomorrow at Forest Park.
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