Question Number: 22402

Law 5 - The Referee 10/31/2009

RE: Rec and Competitive

Victor of Lodi, Ca USA asks...

As a new referee Im struggling with how tight to call a game.

My two sons both play competitive soccer and Im accustom to seeing some tough play let go. As a ref I have been following the same template, but with mixed results.

For the most part, the feedback I have been getting from coaches, players and other refs is that I let a little too much go and should tighten it up. But hate referees who are constantly on their whistle and ruin the flow of the game.

I doubt you have an easy answer for me, but I would love your feedback.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Generally, the less skilled the teams, the more you need to call. They are not accustomed to playing through hard challenges, like the competitive level you know. Remember always it is the players' game, and what we do as referees needs to meet the requirements for those players, that game, that day to have a good, safe and competitive (fun) game.

Judging whether something is an offense is one step. The next step is deciding whether the offense need be called. Pay attention to the players' reactions when you do or don't call something. Their feedback will go a long way in telling you whether your call level needs adjusting up or down. By feedback I mean watch the body language, the looks from player to player, the behavior - with a little practice you'll know if the level is too loose or too tight, and you can adjust.

As a new referee, it is hard enough to see the offenses. Once you are sure of what you are seeing, it gets easier to decide if it needs calling.

Calling youth games is hard work, because there are so many levels of skill and size. It is difficult to go wrong starting the game out tight and letting out the reins as they show you what they can and cannot handle.

Good luck!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Pay close attention to what the players will accept and play through and generally ignore what the parents say.

Coaches are harder. Some say whatever is in their tactical advantage at the moment, and some provide valuable feedback. If you find coaches making the same comments over several games, ask for a referee mentor or assessor to watch your game and provide feedback.

It's fabulous if you can get any video from your games. Even if the quality is poor, you can get some valuable insights from watching where you are positioned, what you missed, and alternative positions that might have given you a better angle.

The key to improving is deciding what you can let go. You are asking exactly the right questions. Keep at it.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you are a new ref, you're probably being assigned to younger ages and lower levels of play. There are certain expectations in these games, and only some of them are valid. Unfortunately far too many refs seem to fall into the pattern of reinforcing rather than correcting the erroneous opinions.

As my colleagues have said, the threshold for a foul should be less in a less-skilled game. They are not used to the idea of playing through challenges. And they do many creative things with their arms, most of which could lead to fouls.

Having said that, be sure you are reading the correct people's reactions to play. It doesn't matter a bit what the parents think. Every time little Ryan hits the turf, it is not necessarily because of a foul. And sometimes the players will appreciate that you call the game at a slightly higher level. When I do U12 boys rec, I don't know before the game what I will be calling as a foul, because I will try to read what the players will accept. Some of them appreciate a little more physical game, even if the sidelines think that means WW3 has broken out.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Viktor
My advice is to forget the flow of the game for the moment. Certainly at underage level I would tend to clamp down and then players learn very quickly that this is a referee that will not allow any nonsense so we better play by the rules. I don't allow tough play to go unchecked. It needs to be dealt with as players can then take the law into their own hands which can give the referee a lot more problems. After a period of strict reffing the players actually stop fouling and the game should flow better. Remember as well its not you or any other ref that is ruining the flow of the game but the players by their behaviour.
As regards trifling infractions such as throw ins, ball position etc by all means go light on those as they will be rarely noticed anyway.