Referee Training Spring 2016--TWO CLINICS/ TWO CITIES 12 NEW REFEREES

TWO CLINICS``TWO CITIES``TWELVE NEW REFEREES

Athens Soccer Academy hosted two Referee training Clinics in March.  The Parkersburg, West Virginia clinic certified new USSF Grade 9 Referees, and  the Athens Clinic trained Referees for unaffiliated games.

 

Here is a recap of some material.

Laws of the Game Discussion~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 The candidates  pass a Concussion Prevention Course on-line, and learn the Laws before the clinic using US Soccer materials.

We start with Law 1 the Field of Play--drawing the field using low tech methods and engaging each participant creates a document.  Looking back you would have to had been present for this discussion for this...to mean anything.

We highlight the differences between Standard Laws and Local Rules.  Since we cover the local game, we need to be abreast of which leagues have which game requirements.

We proceed through the 17 +1 Laws.   Referees who got their training locally will know what the added "Law" refers to...

  Professionalism  Athens Referee Academy Guidelines~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are the categories we cover under this topic:

--Arrival

--Knowledge of Pertinent Rules 

--Match Protocols

--No Show Policy

--Attitude

--Quadrants

--100 % Misconduct

 --Report Writing

 

How to Referee Mini Clinics~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are a few hands-on skills Referees need, so we practice (when time allows):

--Ball Inspection Proper inflation 

--Conduct a Captains Pre-Game & Coin Toss

--Conduct a Referee Crew Pre-Game 

--Flag Mechanics Assistant Referee

--Movement Mechanics Assistant Referee 

--Game Card Information Accuracy

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Assistant Referee Skill Clinic~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Learning the role of reliable assistant prepares one for greater levels of responsibility.

Author Tad as AR1

a look at a higher level pre-game

 Test~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Steps to Getting Assignments

After the league settles on a schedule--very often the week of the games--

1--send Tad your availability

2--I send out a schedule and

3--Referees confirm your games by accepting the assignments.

4--Referees Arrive prepared at game site at least 30 minutes before scheduled kickoff, perform pre-game duties, conduct matches, and submit reports. 

How to Apply~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Athens Referee Academy--Athens Ohio 45701

Athens Referee Association

Organization for local soccer officials 

*liability insurance coverage  

*education and continuous training

*local assignments

Email tad@athenssocceracademy.com to apply

Referees Please put Tad (740)856-7300 in your phone, and friend 

Tad on FaceBook. 

https://www.facebook.com/tad.albano

 Also provide him with your contact information including cell, email, etc.

 

 US Soccer Laws of the Game Playlist--https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr2W6YLwTmKsL6YUW1mYcwbcMhs1ImOrm&hc_location=ufi

Referee Mentor Notes US Soccer

Referee,  Here are a few pointers to assist you with refining your game.
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Understand each particular game as much as possible before starting...Is this a Playoff?  Championship?  Do we need a winner?  What is the winning record?  Playing style? Teams history? Important players...etc. This will assist you in the PREGAME because this becomes an essential part of how you advise your AR's.

Whistle Blast--use shorter duration and harder force on every call.. develop a skill with this tool like a musical instrument--it should speak for you in certain situations.


Look at your AR's on every stoppage//scan the field for relevant obstructions to play.  In your PREGAME instruct your AR's to check with you at every stoppage and you do the same. Consistent eye contact throughout the game.  Remember the mom dragging the kid off the corner of the field as we threw in, to help you visualize this one.

Write order --this should be part of your PREGAME After a goal is scored who is watching the field?  You choosing to write and the AR's choosing to write at the same time leaves nobody tending the storefront...Advise your AR's to write in a particular order either before or after you and create a 1st, 2nd, 3rd type of order so you have two sets of eyes on the field...Check with your AR's visually before you kickoff. 

In US Soccer, I've been told to allow any Substitution as long as time is remaining.  You can choose to advise the coach if there is a minute left, but under no circumstances would you not allow the substitution and then add time appropriately. Again advising AR1 in the PREGAME can mediate this situation.

Point forward to signal kickoff--Pointing at the spot...aiegh...(an uncomfortable sound)

Pre Game  Using the rubric I suggested such as going through the restarts in your head...







Foul Recognition Assess safety of challenge and result after ball is gone.

PK Mechanics--Whistle blast while you point and run to spot.  Back to the AR if there is urgent information..back off goal line if players are confrontational...

Good job this weekend. Look forward to seeing you on the pitch!

Calling all Interested Soccer Officials in the Athens Ohio Area

1--Need to RSVP to Tad

Referee Training--Field Mechanics--

All Class 3 Officials need to attend 1 Mechanics Training
Saturday August 30th--10AM--12 Noon--East State Street Soccer Fields

Please RSVP to tad here or text 740-856-7300

2--Need to RSVP to Tad 

 Referee Training Friday September 5th Athens Community Center 5-9PM

http://howtosoccerblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/referee-columbus-area-fitness-test.html

Referee: Columbus Area Fitness Test

The Columbus Area Fitness test will be held this Saturday, July 12th at 9:00 am. The location is Groveport Madison High School on South Hamilton Rd. Please arrive before 8:30 to fill out the required paperwork and warm-up.
 

 

This test is required for all grade 5 & 6 referees and all grade 7 referees wanting to officiate Division 1 men's games. It is also required if you are upgrading from a grade 7 to a grade 6 referee.  (Note: Although not required for all grade 7 referees it is highly recommended for all referees working CPSL).

As you probably know, changes to USSF policy will soon require all referees working adult amateur matches to be a grade 7 and above.  Assignors will not be permitted to assign grade 8 officials to adult matches.  Additionally, in order to have the whistle on a D-1 match, a referee will have to have taken the USSF fitness test.  Although not required for D-2 matches, preference will continue to be given to officials who have taken and passed a yearly fitness test.

 

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This day starts with an audible buzz.

 



Then the Traveller in me starts the journey. 

 

There are lonely moments on the road, but travel is one of the "off the field" skills that aspiring referees need to cultivate. 

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Though this road trip is for a fitness test and not a match, it makes sense to practice the routines for Arrival that would take place for any other assignment.  The goal is to arrive on time--see http://howtosoccerblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/game-assignment-us-soccer.html

 --so you allow for travel difficulties (frequently encountered) and can perform the Pre-Game Duties in a professional manner.

As I arrive, I meet some aspiring referees in the parking lot.  The group today is made up of referees who are Grades 8 and 7.  I am the only State Referee here.  Last year I ran at the Pro Clinic--http://howtosoccerblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/referee-training-seminar-2013.html#.U8J_civD9zk--
and one of these referees asks me about why I am not there again?

There are multiple reasons, and they include both Off-the-Field and On-the-Field dimensions of Life as a Referee.  If my part as a referee is coming to a close, then life as a mentor is a role I can begin.

It begins here with some of these referees.  As the day begins it is clear, some of the talent in this pool has no sense of the protocols, and will suffer to learn through experience.  As much as I am here today to perform for my score, I am here to give back to this society of referees.

I sense my motivation comes from what I wish someone had told me.

Most of these guys are milling about while the administrators measure and lay out cones. A few Referees are warming up, and I am among them, taking time to record the events, so I can come home and share the experience, and maybe help a few more referees see what I see.

At The Track




The Timers are in their huddle now...

and the runners have moved from the corral to the track.

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The groups start out tightly knit, but as we reach the seventh lap, there is a group of leaders trailed by the rest in staggered fashion.  The leaders have among them the referees who want to upgrade, and at each gate they mostly continue what they have been doing since we arrived: talking.

They are young, and later when I ask about their experiences and what they are working on, they have some stories to tell.  One among them has had issues getting assignments matched appropriately for upgrade.

I do my best to reign in his aggression, and I advise him to a) burn no bridges; b) focus on Attaining each next assignment; c) Utilize the assessment process for growth, development, and finally, upgrade.

I want to suggest that this society is fundamentally Confucian, and that movement toward the center depends on allegiance to some "Off the Field" principals, such as respect for the family, and the systems in place, and those who have come before.

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I have changed into cool down attire, and am ready for the ride home.

Coming Home from my Fitness Test I pass a Boatsman, a Biker, and then this Cycler, and I think about... there are other ways to spend the weekend.  I could be a sportsman, more socially engaged, or have a mowed lawn, but I am not/don't have those things...From Sunday till the next Sunday and beyond,  I am a Coach and I am a Referee.

And my life happens when the ball is not in Play...