The topic of this thread is how to improve the skill set of the current crop of Classic level referee’s so that they can keep the game flowing, handle upset players, coaches and or parents so that the game is enjoyable to play and watch.
The common refrain in the soccer world is that “bad calls happen and you have to play on”. Yes we can disagree on "judgment" calls but blown/missed calls are not something we should have to “accept” as part of the game. Yes they are going to happen and like missed golf shots you have to play on but the point here is that we need to help the officials improve their skills so that the missed/blown calls are fewer and father between.
Yes all sports officiated by humans will have "bad calls". However "some" soccer officials seem to make more mistakes than others and given the nature of scoring in soccer those mistakes change the outcome all too often. A single foul call in a basketball or football game rarely results in the ONLY score or changes the outcome. So in reality a soccer official needs to be better at officiating than his stick and ball counter parts. Sadly for too many people pulling on the soccer stripes all over the country that is simply not the case.
However, whose fault is it that they do not get adequate training and whose fault is it that the better ones leave the craft for greener pastures? It’s our fault because we do not demand better training and offer better pay. So ultimately as consumers of the “soccer experience” it’s our own fault.
Yes not ALL soccer officials are bad and there are some very good ones but too many lack the proper mechanics/fitness to properly call a game. Namely Center’s are constantly found to be out of position to make calls and while others lack the judgment not to call a foul when the offended team retains possession and often the courage to make a call in the box knowing that a goal is likely to follow.
Additionally, a significant number of AR's are unable to properly make off sides calls and rarely assert their authority to make foul calls which is critical when the center is out of position.
The first step to improving the professionalism of the Classic referee pool is for the Leagues to REQUIRE additional training before being assigned a classic game BUT in exchange for that additional training the refs are going to get more money.
Why should we expect professionalism when we pay near minimum wage. Factoring in the cost of gas, drive time + pre-game time + game time + post game time and you get minimum wages. If we want to build a bigger pool of dedicated officials then we are going to have to pay more.
The good news is that for as little as $40 more for a 24 game season we can pay $60 more each game which would go a looooong way to retaining the best referee's and enticing the new referee’s to stick with the program and work on their craft. In 6 years on the sidelines of classic soccer I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.
In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs.
Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be multiple locations in each metro area each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned to classic games.
Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the cost of implementing the improvement program is $40 per player per year but only $32 makes the pitch.
In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the $8 for administration should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.
So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch, a simple program that will make the matches more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line, a simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials, a simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.
The common refrain in the soccer world is that “bad calls happen and you have to play on”. Yes we can disagree on "judgment" calls but blown/missed calls are not something we should have to “accept” as part of the game. Yes they are going to happen and like missed golf shots you have to play on but the point here is that we need to help the officials improve their skills so that the missed/blown calls are fewer and father between.
Yes all sports officiated by humans will have "bad calls". However "some" soccer officials seem to make more mistakes than others and given the nature of scoring in soccer those mistakes change the outcome all too often. A single foul call in a basketball or football game rarely results in the ONLY score or changes the outcome. So in reality a soccer official needs to be better at officiating than his stick and ball counter parts. Sadly for too many people pulling on the soccer stripes all over the country that is simply not the case.
However, whose fault is it that they do not get adequate training and whose fault is it that the better ones leave the craft for greener pastures? It’s our fault because we do not demand better training and offer better pay. So ultimately as consumers of the “soccer experience” it’s our own fault.
Yes not ALL soccer officials are bad and there are some very good ones but too many lack the proper mechanics/fitness to properly call a game. Namely Center’s are constantly found to be out of position to make calls and while others lack the judgment not to call a foul when the offended team retains possession and often the courage to make a call in the box knowing that a goal is likely to follow.
Additionally, a significant number of AR's are unable to properly make off sides calls and rarely assert their authority to make foul calls which is critical when the center is out of position.
The first step to improving the professionalism of the Classic referee pool is for the Leagues to REQUIRE additional training before being assigned a classic game BUT in exchange for that additional training the refs are going to get more money.
Why should we expect professionalism when we pay near minimum wage. Factoring in the cost of gas, drive time + pre-game time + game time + post game time and you get minimum wages. If we want to build a bigger pool of dedicated officials then we are going to have to pay more.
The good news is that for as little as $40 more for a 24 game season we can pay $60 more each game which would go a looooong way to retaining the best referee's and enticing the new referee’s to stick with the program and work on their craft. In 6 years on the sidelines of classic soccer I have yet to hear a parent say that they wouldn't be willing to pay an additional forty bucks for better officiating.
In season the additional training should consist of a monthly meeting where the applications of rules are reviewed and mentors are available to answer "game situation" applications of rules and developing a refined judgment of when to applying rules.
All this step would require is a meeting room once a week manned by two or three of the "gray hairs" to share their wisdom and experience. I have seen this process work in action and can attest that it makes the youngins better officials in short order in addition to building a comrade that helps RETAIN refs.
Due to the sheer number of potential attendees there would have to be multiple locations in each metro area each week so that every official would have an opportunity to attend and stay current and eligible to be assigned to classic games.
Cost what about the cost you say? Well these meetings could be held at schools where meeting rooms are free and large enough to handle the expected attendance. The experienced refs should be compensated for their time say 1/2 of game pay. This additional cost is why the cost of implementing the improvement program is $40 per player per year but only $32 makes the pitch.
In addition to the class room work each first and second year official needs to have a game evaluation once a month until they have been deemed by an experienced official to be proficient at game administration. Yes these evaluators need to be paid too but the $8 for administration should provide enough money to pay for this aspect of the improvement program.
So there you have it, a simple cost effective way to improve the quality of the officials prowling the pitch, a simple program that will make the matches more enjoyable soccer with fewer shouts from the side line, a simple solution that should go a looooooong way to retaining the best officials, a simple solution that can begin TOMORROW.