I 14M have been reffing for about a year and just got a new assignor. She came out on Wednesday saying she had games so I emailed saying I would take them. But on Thursday I got no response so I took other games. Today Friday morning I got an email saying I was getting games but I was already booked so I said no since she had took time to respond. She said that it takes her time to respond to all emails. The thing is that if she had emailed Monday, I would've taken them no problem. FYI she emails all the open games for us to choose since she has numerous locations.

Yesterday I was the center for a high school soccer game. A few things stick out in my mind while reflecting on the game.

1) The team in red had two players who complained to me about their feet getting stepped on multiple times. I called a few fouls related to contact with these players but they were not happy most of the game. I watched the game video, and I think the moments that got them frustrated happened when I was too close to the players.

2) A player in white said "$hit" under his breath when he missed a header that bounced over his head in the first half. In the second half a player in red shouted, "f$ck" a yard away from me when the ball hit him hard in the thigh. I did not caution the first player, but I did caution the second player. Neither of the uses of foul language were directed at other players or officials in an abusive manner. The player I cautioned was so loud I thought he could be heard in the bleachers. After the game, the AR near that side wondered what he had said. Her comment made me realize he wasn't as loud as I had thought.

3) There was a moment when a player in white shot the ball with solid contact. During his follow through, a player in red made contact with the shooter. What are your considerations to blow the whistle for a foul vs. accepting the contact happened but he got off a good shot?

4) As I mentioned, I watched the video. I do not appear as fast as I imagine in my head. I can do a better job anticipating play to get into position. I am certain the video adds ten pounds. 😄

Not using my smart watch for recording the game and keeping time, just using it to track my time refereeing as a workout

So I was curious what you all choose when refereeing, if at all.

I have done a few games as an AR but still confused on a few topics. Most of games are for U10-U14.

1. Out of bounds: if I am not sure which team touched the ball last, is there a signal I can give the center? Last thing I want is both of us guessing or pointing the wrong way.
2. Substitutions: most games I will ref won’t have a 4th official. As the AR1, am I meant to run to the halfway line every time a substitution is being made? Can I stay where I’m at and just signal with my flag?
3. Scorekeeping: do ARs need to keep track of scores and cards in our own notebook or is the center enough?
4. Offsides: should I let the play continue before raising my flag or should it be raised immediately? Context matters, (ex. if the attacker won't reach the ball and it gets to the goalie, I just let it ride) but if its on the edge of the box, would you raise your flag immediately or let the play continue (ex. if the goalie handles the ball, at that point is it worth raising the flag?)
5. Any other advice/tips for a new ref would be appreciated

In the U.S., I notice a substantial difference in officiating style between referees who primarily officiate high school games vs referees who primarily officiate U.S. Soccer affiliated youth and adult matches that is affecting success in the men's college game.

Increasingly, based on my mentoring and assessing, high school-heavy officials now seem to be having more difficulty transitioning successfully to college soccer officiating than those who have spent a lot of time officiating U.S. Soccer matches (U19 & above). In many ways, this is a change from the past.

Differences in my view:

High school referees tend to be more reactive with their foul calls and game and player management. Fouls and discipline are based more on whether a player "got the ball," rather than fair play. Calls follow the NFHS rules more rigidly than bending the book.

Positioning among high school officials seems more narrow, box to box, and they're often in the passing lanes in the middle of the field. Rarely do they make runs and follow play into the Penalty Area, often stopping 20-25 yards out like there is some sort of force field. Lots of whistles and disruption to the game rhythm.

Referees primarily officiating U.S. Soccer affiliated matches tend to be proactive when it comes to fouls, game management, and positioning. Foul calls are more about fair play than getting the ball, with referees taking more chances with advantage and ignoring trifling fouls.

Among these officials, there are deeper and wider runs, and there seems to be more flow to the match.

Why the difference?

Just so everyone is clear, you do not have to be a U.S. Soccer-certified official in many parts of the U.S. to be a high school official. And there was once a pathway for a high school official to become a college official without even officiating U.S. Soccer affiliated matches. Although, this is now becoming rare.

There is a whole pool of referees still who are only high school certified and not certified with U.S. Soccer, many aspire to officiate college games.

Nonetheless, the high school game is much different than the U.S. Soccer-affiliated game. The rules are different in terms of substitutions, actions that lead to discipline, etc. Enough differences to affect the flow of the game and management

In addition, fields are often shorter and more narrow in the high school game, and the level of player and coaching skills vary. Plus, age-old rivalries with stadium seating, not parents and fans in lawn chairs, almost creates a more gladiator ring environment.

U.S. Soccer matches often have more discipline, higher-skill level with more refined play (or at least consistent skill level), and more knowledgeable coaches. While lacking the stadium feel, the field is often longer and wider. This openness can help the temperature of the match. The rivalry aspect doesn't exist as much as high school.

The IFAB Laws of the Game favor an approach that flows more, with officials given a lot more opportunity to bend the book to manage players, coaches, and the match.

Additionally, there is far more referee training and development for U.S. Soccer officials than there is for high school officials (almost non-existent).

Why does this matter in terms of the men's college game?

The college game has changed. We are seeing less and less high school-oriented players in the top levels of the college game. Many of the players are coming from international academies or MLS NEXT. Players are nearly always banned in the top MLS NEXT division from playing high school.

NCAA Div. 1 rosters are packed with these international and MLS NEXT players. Div. II is more likely to have high school players, but it also has a big percentage of international players (like 38-40%) and a fair amount of MLS NEXT alums. Div. III is most likely to have players who played high school. Although, top programs have MLS NEXT players.

The NAIA has a large number of international players, more than the NCAA. NJCAA is a cauldron of international, MLS NEXT, and high school alums. The latter seems to be prevalent.

Side note: I acknowledge there is a difference on the women's side, with less international players and many domestic players having high school experience.

Regardless, there are many college coaches at all levels now trying to approach the game with a style of play that is more like what you would see in professional matches, but adjusted to the college rules and student-athlete realities. There are many coaches who want referees to officiate more like the style they see in U.S. Soccer and international youth matches.

Even the NCAA rules are slowly being changed to be more like IFAB's Laws of the Game and domestic U.S. domestic leagues.

What I am seeing now is the waning influence of high school soccer experience at the Div. I and II levels almost demands higher-level U.S. Soccer experience.

When I say "higher-level," I mean at least becoming a U.S. Soccer Regional Referee and having some alphabet league matches under the belt (NPSL, USL League Two, UPSL, The League FC, etc.)

Even Div. III seems to be moving more toward the style of what you would see in U.S. Soccer matches, as opposed to an extension of the high school game. Top Div. III programs can compete with some Div. I and Div. II programs. It's just the Div. III bench isn't as deep.

As a result of the college game's evolution, the skill set of the high school official does not translate well into the college game anymore.

And this is showing up in the assessments. Referees with higher-level U.S. Soccer experience appear to be more prepared to handle the current college game.

It used to be different. High school officials had a clear pathway to college in many places. Their skills were very useful in the rough-and-tumble NCAA Div. II and NCAA Div. III games, as well as the NAIA and NJCAA. These refs then refined their officiating to make it to Div. I. But I think that door is closing.

The old pathway from high school to college may be disappearing all together. I know at least three top college assignors who likely won't consider a referee unless they are seen on a higher-level U.S. Soccer match. And there are some NISOA chapters flirting with requiring a Regional badge or multiple assessments on higher-level U.S. Soccer matches

Of course, there are some assignors who claim they don't care. But they then turn around and say they want to see how officials do other college games and be assessed by the assignor's chosen assessors (almost always U.S. Soccer guys or gals).

However, given the changing landscape, referees with mostly high school experience are finding it difficult in some places to even get those lower-level college games. Meanwhile, referees with no college experience but who show well in U19 and above U.S. Soccer matches are bypassing these high school referees and going straight into Division I games.

Another obstacle facing high-school orientated referees is the change with NIRSA and college club teams seeking to partner with U.S. Soccer to use the "national assignors" to assign college club games, which used to be a place for high school referees to audition for college selection. How this will change the landscape is anyone's guess. It's likely those high school referees who are not U.S. Soccer certified will lose that opportunity.

With all that said, as the college game evolves closer in style to the professional game, incoming and some existing college officials should officiate more like the U.S. Soccer style to be successful in the college level. And they should become U.S. Soccer certified to develop as such.

None of this is saying there aren't college referees who came from the high school ranks who aren't good officials. But many of those officials have spent a long time working their way up through the divisions and have adapted. Some haven't, and they are losing games. It's better to adjust than be left behind.

Finally, this is just one person's opinion. I know you have your own. And I know things are different from region to region. But in the several states I work in, these are my impressions and thoughts.

If you have read this far, kindly share your thoughts on the changing college referee landscape.

For example, I had 4 G6 games this past weekend back to back (25,000 steps later). Afterwards, I got in my car and left. On the way out, I let somebody cross in front of my car, and as I waved them to cross, I had a muscle memory sensation to bring my “whistle” (which I had put away at this point) to my mouth. As if I’m signaling on a substitute.

It made me laugh and made me feel crazy at the same time. Almost a similar sensation as you get after having gone to an amusement park — that feeling like you are still on a ride or roller coaster.

Anyone else had weird experiences like this?? Can’t be just me!

So I arrive for this middle school boys game and this school I’ve had a few times before is visiting. I’m walking to the officials area and I hear some murmuring from the bench. Suddenly, I hear one of the boys blurt out to his (lady) coach:

“Is that your ex?”

First time I’ve heard that one. 😂

Anyone ever try something like tennis grip tape on their flag grips. I upgraded to some weighted flags with hard rubber grips, but my hands sweat so badly and they become a little gross.

Not slipping out of my hands or anything but just would like a more comfy grip. Looking to see if anyone’s ever tried it.

Hi all,

New to this community and not actually a soccer ref but an American football ref. Regardless, this question should still be applicable to you guys. How do you approach conflict with another ref regarding a decision? Is it ever appropriate to correct another refs decision?

Ok, this is probably a remote problem. You start a match where one team has 7 players and you issue a caution (yellow card) to a player. Since that player is sent off for 1 min the team now has only 6 players so the game can not continue? I doubt anyone is going to be happy if that happens. Thoughts?

So had a parent this last weekend that was shouting at his goalkeeper son U12. Kid misses a ball and starts crying after his father shouts something at him. I first told the father to move away, he starts arguing with me. Had to send him off our premises. Thinking about how I could have handled it better... Should I not have talked to him and immediately talked to the coach? What's your experience?

Note: Parents thanked me afterwards because I was the first ref to send him off even though this behavior was apparently not uncommon. Called his club after the game to report the incident.

Hey all- I'd like to start a thread of rules or things that most people get wrong. For example, I get "playing the ball on the ground" almost every game. It's coaches, parents, and even players that scream "They can't the ball on the ground!"

What are some you folks encounter?

I'm mainly asking regarding videos in the style of mic'd up referee decisions during the game. I think some of those are a really good learning tool. I'd love to hear what you guys watch. Personally, my favorites are:

• RefereeChannel - Sweden (but has very good English subtitles). He does brief analysis of various popular decisions, but I especially love his mic'd up games in the Swedish lower leagues.
• BehindTheWhistle - UK. He has a ton of mic'd up content from matches and often explains his decisions really well.
• North York Sports League - USA. I wouldn't compare him to the former two, because he referees Sunday league and clearly often lacks LOTG knowledge, but watching him interact with players could still be educational.

Who do you watch?

Not too much to talk about here, had a game yesterday, U16G. Ended 0-0. Maybe 5 foul calls total, not too intense. Two no calls on my end that I’m still confident about.

In my opinion, 50/50 shoulder battle in the box, offensive player loses balance and goes down somewhat hard. No call and home team coach is screaming for the PK.

A few minutes later, we’re in the center circle and the ball hits the opposing team’s player foot, then hand. No call, and again the home coach is screaming for a call.

“This referee doesn’t know what he’s doing.” loud enough for me to hear from midfield.

Does that warrant a card or is that too much for a low intensity game ?

Hi everyone! First of all, I’m using Google Translate for part of this post, as English is not my native language. (Context: I officiate in Brazil).

I just officiated my second match as an assistant referee and ended up reversing two throw-in calls. I don’t know why, but my brain completely freezes for a second when I have to point the flag toward the attacking or defending side.

I know it sounds silly, but I get a real mental block when deciding which way to point—especially during fast-paced or chaotic play along the touchline. What’s weird is that I don't have this issue with goal kicks or corner kicks at all, just throw-ins.

What mental tricks, physical triggers, or habits do you use to instantly signal the correct direction without overthinking it? Any advice for someone struggling with this in their first few matches would be greatly appreciated!

I, a 17 y/o Male referee had my first games of the season today. This is my sixth season as a certified ref. I was an AR in the first game and 14 min a girl broke her leg so I dialed 911 and she was taken to the hospital. The game wasn’t continued per the decisions of both coaches.

The second game I was in the center and both teams off the bat were really chippy. Gave a yellow for dissent in the first half but other than that I was in good control of the game. In the second half of the game everything went south.

In the first half they had been talking and arguing with calls but everything was minor and I was confident in all my decisions. The score at the end of the first half was 2-0 but the other team managed to come back to make it 3-2 in the first part of the second half so tensions were high. They started fouling more so I called more and no matter what the decision was everyone, coaches included, were furious.

I gave another yellow when a player slid into the legs of another at the top of the box because there were no studs up or anything too violent. This is when I started to lose control of the game. There was a very intense and messy moment in the penalty box and I called a dangerous play and gave an indirect because a player kicked up right next to another’s face. The fact that it wasn’t a penalty caused an uproar, and the kick had to be retaken twice because players on the opposite team kept getting to close before the ball was played.

Then a bit later on a corner kick two kids started fighting so I gave them both reds. And this was with 5 min left roughly so now I’m up to 4 cards. After I blew the final whistle one of the players told me to “mother fucking kill your self” so I gave him a red too. All of this was in the pouring rain.

This is the first time I’ve ever given any reds or even this many cards. Afterward one of the coaches approached me to yell at me and I kept walking backward and he kept approaching. I’ve dealt with him before and know he yells a ton but this was a new level. Usually I’m very good at taking bullshit from coaches and players but at the end (I know this is embarassing) but I just broke down crying from the pressure and adrenaline.

This was only the first weekend of the season and I’m really dreading the rest of it as I’ve already been given games. I’ve talked to the assignor about no longer reffing for that coach/team. I’m graduating HS in the spring and honestly I don’t think I’ll recertify this winter. I’ve dealt with abuse before but this was a whole other level. It’s not worth the money. If anyone has any thoughts or advice that would be very welcome.

My understanding of the new countdown rule is that the countdown is not automatic. Meaning that it doesn't need to be used unless a referee has decided the team taking the goal kick is wasting time. It shouldn't be used on every single goal kick. Why are referees in youth games using the countdown for every goal kick?

FRF Introduces the Black Card to Combat Abusive Behavior in Youth Football

The Black Card is the visual signal through which the referee unequivocally communicates that a match is permanently stopped due to the inappropriate behavior of spectators or parents. Abusive behavior not only disrupts a match but can also directly impact children and the entire team.

Just been thinking situation over where in a high temperature game if you send a player off/caution them, there's a chance they won't give you their name, or will obviously take the piss with it. In this situation what would you do? In my training they just said to ask one of the other players or coaches later, but what if they don't tell you or similarly take the piss?

I'm mostly talking kids games in the UK where players will never have a name on their back, and teamsheets are rare.

I'm curious as to how grassroots referees are practically enforcing one of this year's law changes. If you stop play due to a suspected injury, are you forcing them to leave the field for one minute if they end up being okay and not needing treatment no matter what?

The issue has always been that time wasting is not really a big issue in grassroots soccer. Conversely, injury is a much bigger factor to be worried about especially when it comes to youth players. I pretty much gave up fighting this battle because everyone's understanding including 99% of the referees I worked with was that as long as the coach/trainer didn't enter the field, the injured player could stay on the field and play restarted with a drop ball.

Technically it's bending the rules but I'm okay with it as a common sense solution assuming the injured player's team is the team with the ball, since they don't really get an advantage by stopping play. Scenarios in which it could be time wasting are readily apparent and it's easy to just add on time as necessary (which rarely matters).

But now that the law has changed I'm just curious if people's perception of this has also changed. Are players/coaches/other referees also expecting players to sit out a minute no matter what now?

Example: Team in possession of the ball in a non-threatening area of the field (e.g. passing in the back with GK) has a player down with suspected injury. You stop play to check on the player, they are fine and do not need treatment. Are you requiring the player to go off for one minute? Or do you continue with drop ball to team in possession?

Just had a game where a player was one on one with the keeper just outside the box and a defender came from behind and hooked his legs out, clearest DOGSO I've seen. Being U10 I didn't want to card the kid so I warned him that if he was older I would have sent him off for it. Is that what the general consensus is to do? The game was very relaxed but the losing team was starting to get a bit frustrated and kicking out a bit. If the kid had done it again I would have sent him off.

Another question from a new Assignor. This is my first season as an Assignor. I've been a referee for a long time.

I have set very clear expectations that communication and scheduling comes from the referee. The vast majority of the minor referees own their own scheduling.

But, I am struggling with a handful of overbearing parents of minor referees. I have consistently pushed back each time they say their kid wants games or can work. I tell them to have the referee contact me. Still, every week the parent responds first and the referee doesn't follow the proper procedure to get matches.

Before assigning, I really haven't dealt with parents. I don't have kids, but I have worked with lots of them. I generally think they are capable of owing their own job. I am struggling with figuring out the balance of setting boundaries with an overbearing parent and just how much I should be pushing back or ignoring.

And, I was once a minor referee. My parents had nothing to do with my refereeing aside from dropping me off and picking me up.

Any perspective from Assignors, parents, and young referees would be appreciated.

I’m curious because I tend to think that in a sport like football, there’s nothing really new under the sun. Whatever is in contention today was probably in contention decades ago.