Is the MN High School system for assigning referees adequate? Does a 2-hour class preapre a novice to ref?
11 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I'd separate the issues:
- Assigning. Inconsistent at best, incompetent at worst.
- Training. Two hours may or may not be adequate. IF the referee is experienced (and is an experienced/certified USSF referee), it is not a big deal. If the referee is NOT USSF certified, then it IS a major issue.
Last years class A state final was determined by a referee mistake. Same contact in the box all game was never called a foul...until the PK in overtime. I believe this ref is one of MNSRAs top guys...hard to believe.
I have also watch Apple Valley play about 10 times over the past 4 years. They almost always (9 out of the 10 games) get a homer call for a PK...sometimes 2 in 1 game.
Interesting how the Strib mentioned "Refing" as something to watch. Although I have to agree...to many soccer refs think their stuff doesn't stink. They are arrogant, rude and more concerned with keeping their ego in tact than making sure the players are protected and the rules of the game are enforced.
1) Late afternoon matches are tough if you work a day job. They only want you if you can do the doubleheader. A 6 pm/8 pm schedule would be better (assuming the school has lights on their field).
2) A previous poster is correct: the refs with the inflated egos want the primo matches. The assignors scramble to find refs for the not-so-primo matches.
3) Some (not all, however) HS coaches believe they are on a par with Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho and act accordingly.
4) Fitness for some of these HS refs is an issue. In my own case, I have developed arthritis and can't run at full tilt with a varsity team. That's why I hung it up. The kids deserve a fit referee crew. OK...the coaches too. :-)
It's very difficult to find qualified refs for the varsity games not to mention JV, 10th and 9th grade games. The time of day the games are played poses a big problem as most adults are at work and youth refs/lines are most likely playing in the games!
Happened to catch two MIAC mens matches over the weekend and the reffing on both days was awful. The Saturday match - had only 2 officials and a parent who wore a shirt, carried a flag and sauntered up and down the touchline. Offsides were missed as well as other calls, and it impacted the match.
Sunday's match, although with three officials, prompted a 6 year old sitting near me to tell us it seemed the people in the yellow shirts wanted the players in white shirts to win. Both team's coaches were unhappy with the officials.
Saw Eagan beat Lakeville South and center ref let game get way out of hand as a cheap South player cleated Eagan's sweeper in the face... (the sweeper was standing, yes the South player got his foot that high). Anyways blood was everywhere as the sweeper SCREAMED in pain and the ref only gave the South player a yellow card? I heard his reasoning was "the sweeper ran into his foot" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? on a side note 7 yellow cards were given out during the game 2 to Eagan players and 5 to South players
Dangerous play (high kick) is rarely, if ever, a straight red card. I feel bad for the injured player, but blood and screaming don't themselves require any card.
11 comments:
I'd separate the issues:
- Assigning. Inconsistent at best, incompetent at worst.
- Training. Two hours may or may not be adequate. IF the referee is experienced (and is an experienced/certified USSF referee), it is not a big deal. If the referee is NOT USSF certified, then it IS a major issue.
I think the previous Anon made the point...how do you know what you are getting. Who does assigning for HS refs? ADs?
Last years class A state final was determined by a referee mistake. Same contact in the box all game was never called a foul...until the PK in overtime. I believe this ref is one of MNSRAs top guys...hard to believe.
I have also watch Apple Valley play about 10 times over the past 4 years. They almost always (9 out of the 10 games) get a homer call for a PK...sometimes 2 in 1 game.
Interesting how the Strib mentioned "Refing" as something to watch. Although I have to agree...to many soccer refs think their stuff doesn't stink. They are arrogant, rude and more concerned with keeping their ego in tact than making sure the players are protected and the rules of the game are enforced.
most hs refs are sub-par. it is a sad thing. im thankful for the ones who work hard and know what they are doing but they seem outnumbered by a bunch
Some observations from a former HS ref:
1) Late afternoon matches are tough if you work a day job. They only want you if you can do the doubleheader. A 6 pm/8 pm schedule would be better (assuming the school has lights on their field).
2) A previous poster is correct: the refs with the inflated egos want the primo matches. The assignors scramble to find refs for the not-so-primo matches.
3) Some (not all, however) HS coaches believe they are on a par with Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho and act accordingly.
4) Fitness for some of these HS refs is an issue. In my own case, I have developed arthritis and can't run at full tilt with a varsity team. That's why I hung it up. The kids deserve a fit referee crew. OK...the coaches too. :-)
The 9th 10th and JV players develop a ton of bad habits without 3 refs on their field.
They deserve 3 refs!
It's very difficult to find qualified refs for the varsity games not to mention JV, 10th and 9th grade games.
The time of day the games are played poses a big problem as most adults are at work and youth refs/lines are most likely playing in the games!
Happened to catch two MIAC mens matches over the weekend and the reffing on both days was awful. The Saturday match - had only 2 officials and a parent who wore a shirt, carried a flag and sauntered up and down the touchline. Offsides were missed as well as other calls, and it impacted the match.
Sunday's match, although with three officials, prompted a 6 year old sitting near me to tell us it seemed the people in the yellow shirts wanted the players in white shirts to win. Both team's coaches were unhappy with the officials.
Saw Eagan beat Lakeville South and center ref let game get way out of hand as a cheap South player cleated Eagan's sweeper in the face... (the sweeper was standing, yes the South player got his foot that high). Anyways blood was everywhere as the sweeper SCREAMED in pain and the ref only gave the South player a yellow card? I heard his reasoning was "the sweeper ran into his foot" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? on a side note 7 yellow cards were given out during the game 2 to Eagan players and 5 to South players
Dangerous play (high kick) is rarely, if ever, a straight red card. I feel bad for the injured player, but blood and screaming don't themselves require any card.
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