The Better Referee

In this installment of our "Laws of the Game" miniseries, we are discussing Law 5, "The Referee". We cover the powers and duties of the referee, which includes when and how to exert said authority, as well as talking about the primary goal of all referees, and how we achieve that goal.

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In this mini-series episode, we discuss Laws 1 through 4. We don't into exhaustive detail, but hit the basics that everyone should know.

Law 1 The Field of Play

Law 2 The Ball

Law 3 The Players

Law 4 The Players' Equipment

Hello!

It has been a while, but it is time to get ready for the upcoming season!

Over the next week, I will dropping multiple episodes of this podcast discussing all 17 Laws of the Game, as well as discuss what I expect for the opening weekend of games.

Thanks for being here!

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In this episode, we look at some minor events that happened in a game from the past weekend. It could almost be used as a preview to the Laws of the Game series I will be hosting between the fall and spring seasons.

The second topic discussed is that of prepping for high school soccer in the spring. I just completed a course called "Implicit Bias". I discuss my thoughts on this. WARNING: I do get a bit personal in this section...but I am honest!

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There are certain elements that have no place in youth sports, or even professional sports, for that matter. Referee abuse is near the top of that list, right alongside player abuse. As coaches, parents, players, referees, assignors, administrators, and volunteers, it is imperative that we eliminate these elements. By doing so, it is so much easier to create an environment where everyone involved can learn and play the sport they love, and have FUN doing it!

Be the change!

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I have said before, and I say it again: "Know the Laws of the Game and the local rules of competition!"

This past weekend, we had an incident occur, then a friendly debate about what should have happened if the out come were different. I am proud to say that I was right (not being vain), and I can say it because I have actually read the book!

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We have all heard the quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in the world." This applies to many aspects of life, including being an official. It is the reason I started this podcast: to help others be better referees, while holding themselves, other referees, players, coaches, and parents accountable for their behavior. Once the referee community start to do this as a whole, we will begin to see, I believe, a change in the culture that has been the direct cause of the referee shortage we are all facing.

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Referee abuse and threats, whether real or implied, MUST be met with consequences! This one of the major reasons that we have a massive referee shortage in every youth sport. My understanding is that is not just in the United States, but globally. Granted, the shortage is worse in some countries than others...but in NO WORLD is referee abuse or threats justifiable, no matter how benign the perpetrator claims such abuse or threats may be!

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If you are an assignor, please make certain of a referee's availability before assigning...especially if the referee does not generally work at your club!

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As referees, our #1 priority is player safety! We enforce the Laws of the Game and local rules to make the match as safe as possible. Sometimes, that means pulling out the cards, even when we don't want to. Failure to do so can lead to injuries, and, at the very least, a disreputable match.