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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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):
&
Send him your Spring availability for the following weekends. This is a
seasonal thing all refs do when they want to get games. This tells me
when I can assign you.
March 26--Bradley Metts 3v3
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 30
May 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After these steps you are considered registered and certified to referee SOSL games.
Steps to Getting Assignments
After the league settles on a schedule--very often the week of the games--
1--I send out a schedule and
2--you confirm your games by accepting the assignments.
3--Referee
Arrives prepared at game site at least 30 minutes before scheduled
kickoff, performs pre-game duties, conducts matches, and submits
reports.
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!
Assisting the Referee correctly and lucidly is the job of the AR, and the Assistant Referee Mechanics serve as the language with which to communicate during the match. Through game experience and assessments, hopefully, the Assistant will gain a sense of when to assist, but these following basic signals must be mastered to be assigned games in the Diagonal System of Control
These videos are meant to be used as a tool for Athens Referee Academy Officials and all others looking to improve their game; other sources for this information are linked below.
Tracking Play--Goal
Tracking Play means staying level with the second to last defender or the ball whichever is closer to goal. These videos do not track play; they are static "snapshots" of the view of the Assistant.
--at 1:03 we see the Assistant Referee mechanic for a Throw-in awarded to the Attack.
Then, we see the Assistant Fall behind play as the attack shoots on goal--when the ball becomes closer to goal than the second to last defender, the Assistant should be level with the ball.
The Assistant gets to the flag after the shot, yet manages to make a call with a clear and firm signal.
--1:11 the Assistant is signaling to the Referee to "Stop Play". This mechanic is holding the flag straight up.
--then at 1:13 the Assistant who has established eye contact with Referee signals for a Corner Kick.
--at 1:20 the Assistant signals for a Substitution, as High School Rules--and College-- permit subs at this time. The Assistant drops his Flag after the Referee has acknowledged the Signal.
--at 1:29 the Assistant uses an unapproved signal, but one that is common to the High School fields in this region. The Flag held diagonally downward informs the Referee that the substitution process is complete, and the game can restart.
--at 1:37 the Assistant signals a good goal by sprinting up the line. He records the goal at an inopportune time, however, as the after-goal drama is in front of him. The far side Assistant--in this case AR2--should record the goal first, then the Referee, and finally the near Assistant. Of course, the Assistants will abide by the specific procedures set forth by the Referee in the Pre-Game Talk.
If the Assistant has questions about the Goal, if there was a foul or interference, he should remain at attention.
--at 2:00 the Assistant Returns to the positioning of "level to the second to last defender", and makes eye contact to signal to the Referee he is ready for the Kickoff.
Sidestepping & Throw In--
The Flag is raised at a 45 degree angle toward the direction of play. In this case
--at :26 the Defending team is awarded the Throw In.
--then at :32 we see a quick signal awarding the restart to the Attack.
--and again to the Attack at :45
--We don't see the signal for the Corner Kick, but by 1:11 the camera has positioned itself at the goal line behind the Assistant.
--After the ball is cleared by the defense, the Assistant maintains his positioning with the second to last defender.
Goal Kick and Substitution Mechanic--
Goal Kick--
The Flag is raised in the right hand straight out, and the position is at the goal line.
Player Substitution-- The Flag is pinned between the palms and raised directly overhead.
Assistant stands with a view down the goal line and will become goal judge if a ball rebounds into play.
Signal is Downward Diagonal Fag in the Right Hand.
Offside & Ball In & Out of Play--
After the Corner Kick, the Assistant holds the flag in the wrong hand. It should return to the hand nearest the Referee as he sidesteps.
--:12 The Assistant Referee informs the Referee that the blue player was in an Offside position at the moment the ball was played, the signal is a Flag held straight up.
-- :33 Assistant then signals that ball has left the Field of Play.
The action moves down field and is quickly back; such is the life of an Assistant Referee.
--1:34 Assistant Signals for a Goal kick.
Foul & Foul Plus Caution--
--:05
The Assistant is signaling for a foul, but ought to first have raised the flag straight up in the left hand to signal "stop the game", then waved the flag to indicate the foul. Finally, the Assistant would tilt the Flag Diagonally to the left at a 45 degree angle to indicate the direction of the Restart to the Referee.
Flag mechanics are like a language, and so the better the mechanics are understood the better the communication, and the eaiser the work becomes. Mastering the mechanics is accomplished through the system of review, called assessments and source for information is the United States Soccer Federation document--Guide to Procedures.
--:55 Assistant Referee indicates foul against the defense. The Referee signals to the clock--High School and College mechanic only-- to stop time, then the Referee and the Assistant have a discussion. It is important to keep both sets of eyes on the players, during these brief down moments in the game.
As experience grows, Officials recognize that when play stops, the level of awareness must be heightened.
The Referee beckons the player and presents the Caution. Before the Restart the Referee performs the protocol for this level and correctly informs the coach of the misconduct.
The Assistants record the information as per the Referee's instructions in the Pre-Game, then scans the field for activity.
After setting the wall, the Referee takes his position before signaling with the whistle. The restart is served in and the ball leaves the field. The Assistant signals for a Goal kick.
Assistant Referee Mechanics Test: Spot The Error
Read the Guide and watch these videos, when Athens Referee Academy meets September 5th, we will discuss these videos, and you may be asked to explain how this signal could be improved.
Learning to referee is a process, akin to training in the martial arts. We discussed some core concepts when we gathered on Saturday, August 23 for our first Field Mechanics Training for New Referees.
Since a few interested folks could not attend, there will be a makeup field mechanics session for those interested in working games in the Athens area this fall.
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3) Arrival--Referees have pre-game duties requiring them to arrive before the scheduled kickoff time. Late arrival is unacceptable for games, and this applies to meetings as well. Referees should arrive with at least 15 minutes of a window before the event. Factoring in travel and preparing your kit--dry clothes to change into, snacks, water, etc.--suggests the preparations actually begin one to two hours before the event. This skill--to time your arrival and to be prepared--will extend to all aspects of life. This is one of the skills in the professional repertoire you will begin to cultivate in the pursuit of this endeavor.
4) Reports are required if an injury or a disruption occurs in the match. The report writing suggests that referees are not finished when they lave the field. Again the Referee Academy is training future responsible leaders through the application of the full range of Officials' Mechanics.
5) Game Assignment Protocol--Responsibility is the major thing. First, the referee is responsible for submitting Availability Dates to the Assignor--in this case Tad. After the assignments have been sent out, there is a responsibility on the referee to confirm those assignments in a prompt manner. Once an assignment has been confirmed, the refree is responsible for that match and that subsequent match report. If the referee needs to make a change after confirming an assignment, they are responsible for finding a qualified replacement. Tad will assist in this process, and should be kept in the loop, but the responsabilty to cover confirmed assignments lies with the refree.
In the event the referee does not show for a confirmed assignment, that official risks losing future game assignments from the Academy.
Athens Referee Association
Organization for local soccer officials to the Athens, Ohio area
*Liability Insurance Coverage
*Education and Continuous Training Opportunies
*Game assignments
Explanation of ARA Level system:
Level 1 Officials have a certification in either USSF, OHSAA, or NISOA, and have considerable game experience. Level 1 Officials have the first option to take games, and can work any game. Level 1 Officials may pursue certification or upgrade in either USSF, OHSAA, or NISOA.
Level 2
Officials have a season of experience as a referee, but lack the game
experience and certification of level 1 Officials. Level 2 Officials
may pursue certification or upgrade in either USSF or OHSAA. Level 2
Officials can be assigned games in SOSL, GASA, and Sunday Adult League.
Level 3 Officials have no certification, but would like to attain Level 2 Official status. Level 3 Officials may pursue certification or upgrade in either USSF or OHSAA. Level 2 referees are officials in training.
Annual Registration Fee: covers your insurance and one quarterly training. Level 3 Official 2014 Registration- $30 Level 1 Official or Level 2 Official 2013 Registration- $20
Leagues Served by ARA
Saturday
SOSL--Under 8, Under 10, Under 12,
--Refs U8 - $16 (single official;) U10 - $20 (single official) U12 - $20/15/15 Diagonal/ /$20 (dual official) 9AM-5pm on Saturdays in Athens Alexander, and Logan
Monday through Thursday
Athens City Recreation League--5th/6th Grade // 3rd/4th Grade --$15 per official, per game. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Game times are 5:15pm and 6:15pm
Games are on East State Street
Sunday
Athens Soccer Academy Women's League
$15 single official
Games are after 3:00pm trending toward evening Games are on East State Street
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.
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.
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.
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...
Two weeks ago the author of this blog began preparing for the start of the Spring Soccer season for Athens Soccer Academy and the new Athens Referee Academy. The blog posts became few and brief as all minutes in the day, it seemed, were spent sweating the necessary details for the Academy's Adult & Youth Leagues.
Every detail, from creating fields to assigning referees, had to be communicated to the network of people who support soccer in this community, as I prepared to attend United States Soccer Federation's annual Referee Training Seminar at the nearest location to home.
Warm-up for my fitness test Saturday morning was scheduled for 8:25:00 AM, so midweek I booked a room for the weekend in Dayton. Friday at dusk I was still putting the finishing touches on the youth fields at Athens Soccer Park when I stopped to take in the scene of GASA volunteers and an Athens Futball Club Team Training.
Here is the record from the weekend...
Friday 9PM, Albany, Ohio
It seems everything is finally ready for a huge soccer weekend here and not without the help of local friends and the cooperation of the new SAY Soccer organization, Athens Community Soccer.
It is hard to say goodbye to my community and family, but my concentration follows the headlights as I focus on the protocols and decorum of the forum.
I get to Dayton late, find my hotel near the airport, and get to sleep.
Saturday 8AM, Dayton, Ohio
After an early start I arrive at the track and catch up with some Ohio South Referees who had an earlier start than I driving in from Columbus.
We mingle in the parking lot a short while and head to the registration table....
where we stretch and warm up. I find some favorite Referee Friends whom I haven't seen all winter.
Mags
King Mitchell
Pierre--National Referee
The Interval test is the format used by US Soccer. For the 40 M sprints we activate laser sensors.
I am running the 40 in about 5.7, but two of the top sprinters happen to be out on the track with our group, and they are in the 5.1 range. It occurs to me to study their starts, but only after I have run five of my six sprints.
I alter my start using what I learned by watching these runners and improve my best time by 3 tenths of a second. I am amazed and wish I could run five more sprints...
...not really though because the Interval Test Part 2 is to follow.
I pass these tests today but am determined to improve my performance next year. Not every Referee has passed today, so some may be traveling to Chicago in a week.
This is how much we love the game.
These runs have made Referees sweaty and hungry. Three carloads travel to a single hotel room to occupy the shower one-at-a-time before we head straight to the table.
Saturday Clinic Notes--12:00:00-18:00:00
USSF Professional
Referee
RTS Dayton,
Ohio April 2013
--Kevin Terry
--Jozsef Michna
--Steve Olsen
--PDL and DevelopmentAcademy
--Pro Arrivals and
preparation
--Region II
--PRO—Professional Referee Organization
--Changes
--10 RTS throughout country
Zone 3 PRO/Zone 2/Zone 1
Selection Criteria
E-portfolio for 4’s and 5’s
National assessor in your designated track
Identification Events
The author w/ Steve Olsen: Former FIFA Assistant Referee
--Concussion: traumatic brain injury: hallmark is confusion
May develop
later hours or days after hit
Unsteady
gate
Injury and ejection deal w player on ground first
Allowing play to continue near goal after head-to head
contact: world is gone
Dismissing player is not within the powers and duties: Law 5
Youth player can be assessed by referee and dismissed//Adult
player is a different story. Adult
players cannot be ordered off the field.
--Give the guy some space. Leave it for the professionals
Bringing trainer on transfers liability onto their
expertise.
Youth game: Coach is responsible
Suspicion EQUALS removal and then players requires clearance from a professional.
Fourth— Needs to have the courage to remove a coach/player
without drawing the referee into it.
--Make the Call—Video Clips
Netherlands/Spain cleats to chest—Howard Webb World Cup
Final
Goalkeeper Ejection for raised cleats to face
New MexicoState
#15 Fighting Hair pulling clip
Nike Friendlies—Youth Games, stepping game to the next
level.
Bad touch leads to risky play
First Division Professional game: Flying elbow: Caution
Chris Penso enters the room
Chris Penso: Current FIFA Referee (formerly of Ohio North and OCSOA)
Video Michael Kennedy—Ask Tell Dismiss (Remove)
Coaches cannot commit misconduct but they can behave w poor
conduct
Law 5 take action to team officials who fail to conduct
themselves in a professional manner.
Referees do not need to follow each step
Professional Match Evaluator
(PME)
MLS
Reports on bench decorum
Delayed Caution/Ejection
Tackling the leg not the ball
Encroachment/
Outside Referees/Inside Boundaries of penalty area
Keep it down AR when
in doubt
If you don’t know keep it down…
MLS Cup final 98 rose
bowl
Terry: Ref waves AR down on goal by Nowak--Chicago shot
ricochet
Player standing in front of the goalie: Tries to flick ball
on
AR shows composure
The clinic ends with Olsen asking the room, "which of you are USSF Instructors?", and the author's hand goes up. Official Sports International has donated Referee Gear, and Steve has identified the most appropriate use of this merchandise for this audience.
"Take this back home with you and give this to a young Referee"
He throws me an item, and I have a referee in mind who is a member of the Academy, AND has just re-certified as a Grade 8 Ohio South Referee
We thank these clinicians, and we recognize Chris' achievement as a group. Our SRA steps to the front and reminds us that Chris, who is now working at the highest level of the game, has come from clinics and groups just like these.
I take a moment to say hello and grab an autograph from a Referee buddy whose game I admire. We take a moment enjoying the old photos in the back of my copy of the Laws of the Game circa 1997.
Chris is gracious and almost humble as he signs my copy.
I leave with that drive to focus on my assessments for 2013. I will enter my availability on the professional site when I get home, and sit back and wait for an assignment.
Catching up with my responsibilities back home means I can't return to the house, the kids, the wife, and the couch...OUCH....just yet. There are a number of stops yet to make for this dad, Academy organizer, and wannabe Professional Referee.
The scene at the Athens Soccer Park warms my heart. A dedicated city recreational soccer coach (whose daughter also plays for the Under 12 Lady Tigers) is running a quality training, as in the beyond the Academy Adult Leagues and Academy Referees are locked in the eternal dance of the cosmic game.
It turns out that a referee has misread an email, and I need to referee the Women's Game #1, Motley Crew V Wrecking Crew. This game is amazing, except for an injury in the third minute. I have to run for ice, then we return to play.
Motley has come up a notch, though they are missing players. Ana is a stalwart in the back; Channa has that Brazilian change of direction, and she distributes with a keen sense. Eddith provides an exciting attack outlet. These women are amazing in their passion for this game that they just picked up in the last four years.
Wrecking Crew dominates the midfield and carries the day with two great goals. The spirit is happy, social, and game-on.
After tucking my whistle away until the ball is next in play, I scurry out to a country cabin...
