Question Number: 23324

Law 1- The Field 5/17/2010

RE: Rec High School

Jay Ramey of El Dorado Hills, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23272

I commend all the Refs and their ideas on the securing of the goals. As I am sure many on this site have done many jobs to promote youth soccer in one form or another, I would say the number one priority is to make sure the field is safe, and that includes the goals.

There are too many coaches (even at the higher levels) that do not understand the dangers until it is too late. And I would suggest with all the new turf fields popping up, it is becoming even harder to secure the goals - one can not just push rebar in the ground. With the lighter materials being used now, it is important to understand how quickly goals can become top heave and tip.

I agree it is not the refs job to secure the goals, but it is their responsibility to make sure they are.

Thanks refs for making this clear. I wish more coaches understood this requirements. Ours in our club do.

Ref Contarino, thanks for the great advice...tire irons would make for a great substitute.

But unless one is reffing at the higher levels (above highschool for example), I think it is important for the ref to carry some tape, a few pieces of velcro, an extra penny for a goal keeper, etc.

As usually the only 'paid' professional there (recreational and many higher levels), it is important that we remember why we are there...while we are there ref the game, we are there more importantly for the kids. Many of the coaches and even high school coaches do not have an extensive amount of training in the great game. I believe that if I am a little prepared, it can make a great difference. Many times kids travel a distance to play and kids being kids (or parents being parents) forget something - usually it is one of the goalies. Or, the volunteers at the club have forgotten to do something...I have to remember they are volunteers after all.

So a little can of paint, an extra flag, a penny, a pump to make sure the balls are o.k. if it is in the interest of the kids, then well done ref...well done.

At the higher levels, the expectations of coaches and staffs are different.

Keep up the good work on this site.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Jay and thanks for the kind words. At Select play above U13, I do little extra. For Rec games I bring tape, scissors, eye wash, an inhaler, instant heat, pump, gauge, insect repellent, etc. When it's hot, I bring a cooler filled with ice, Powerade, towels, sunscreen and anything else I can think of.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While I don't go as far as Ref Contarino, I do bring extra stuff to games. Our league secures nets to the goals using oversize zip-ties; when I can get some from the league I bring them along to replace broken ones. I have a pump and several needles to inflate squishy balls. I've given players medical tape for various uses.