Silver End Youth FC

Referee Talk

Give our ref's a break!

 

The most irritating factor when Refereeing a game of football is at the start of the game when you are searching for an Assistant Referee, time and again you see the Manager making a plea to a handful of spectators for someone to take on the flag . The impression this gives the Referee is not a favourable one as he knows that the guy who comes forward is doing it reluctantly. To all parents please make the Manager's job easier by offering your services well before the start of the game so when the Referee blows his whistle to bring the two captains together you are already making your way to the centre circle to offer your service. Why not work out a rota between a handful of parents that way you only need to do it one in every four or so weeks. If you agree to take the flag then you will be expected to do it for the entire game, changing the Assistant at any point during the game leads to problems, different interpretations and lack of consistency.

 

Managers should never run the line. Their job is hard enough, the laws of the game preclude the Assistant Referee from coaching. In any case your natural instinct is to watch the game rather than concentrate on what you are instructed to do i.e. watch for ball in and out of play and more importantly making a decision as to whether the player is offside or not. One crucial lapse of concentration could lead to that all important goal being scored against your team which could cost you the game.

 

The most common excuse as to why people are unwilling to run the line is “ I don't know the laws ” As a Referee my instructions to my Assistants are quite simple:-

 

1.      Give me ball out of play giving a clear direction as to in whose ball it is. Remember the whole ball must cross the line. To be honest 90% of the time the Referee makes the decision for you.

 

2.      You are never asked to make a judgement on fouls 

3.      For a throw in just check that the player has part of his foot touching the line and both feet are on the ground

 

4.      Finally that leads us to the biggest debating point of all the offside law.

 

Law 11 states a player is in an offside position if:

 

· he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent

 

A player is not in an offside position if:

 

· he is in his own half of the field of play or 

· he is level with the second last opponent or 

· he is level with the last two opponents

 

However a player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

 

· interfering with play or 

· interfering with an opponent or 

· gaining an advantage by being in that position

 

It is your judgement but the Referee can overrule you if in his opinion he believes the player is non active. The law however is and will continue to be a long drawn out debating point , you only have to watch the Premiership week in week out because Premiership Manager's have openly admitted that they do not understand the interpretation of the law so what chance have we got .

 

Remember a player cannot be offside if a player receives the ball directly from:

 

· a goal kick or 

· a throw-in or 

· a corner kick

 

It is extremely helpful to a Referee if at all times you remain level with the last defender. Understand it now

 

 

F.A - Zero tolerance against bad language at matches

 

The Essex County Football Association have sent out a circular to all Clubs and Referee's on the subject of complaints being received in relation to "bad language" at matches. The latest situation resulted in complaints by a local parish council that has threatened to close their facility due to the misconduct of players and spectators.

 

Whilst it is appreciated that some bad language is the result of frustration and there is today a culture where more tolerance is shown to abusive language, the "Laws of Association Football" do prohibit such language therefore players, together with club officials and spectators are liable to be dismissed/reported for such incidents going forward.

 

The Referee fraternity have been asked to adopt a policy of no tolerance to "bad language" since we are custodians of the Laws of the game and have a responsibility to ensure the game is enjoyed by all who take part or watch our national game.

 

The problem of course is that professional players are clearly seen on television using such language and simply get away with it so where is the consistency going to come from.

 

However would all players, managers and spectators please note that with immediate effect anyone using "bad language" WILL be dismissed from the field of play or reported as necessary. Managers I would ask that you ensure this email is brought to the attention of your players and spectators with immediate effect.

 

Is our beautiful game in decline?

 

I was reading an article on the decline of our beautiful game that I want to share with you all. All coaches and parents should take note, because if we do not change our attitudes I fear for the future 

 

“Football for children is now very different from earlier generations when the only adult involvement was a call from your mum that your tea was ready. Football is no longer beautiful for our kids anymore: it’s ugly 

 

In a world where children can no longer play outside without supervision, parents and coaches have taken over. And the competitive drive adults bring to the games means youngsters no longer have time to fall in love with football, to play for fun and thus truly develop their skills 

 

Today’s children learn from the grown-ups. Without freedom of the streets, their early experiences of football are organised, supervised and coached. They have no real say in what happens, and they don’t have time to develop and learn. 

 

The problems areas are:- 

 

· No longer the children’s game – it is controlled by adults 

· The same children on the bench or omitted every game 

· Coaches and parents screaming from the touchlines 

· Winning before fun and development 

· Not enough free play where children can solve their own problems 

· Children are not encouraged to express themselves 

· Children no longer learn about the spirit of the game themselves 

 

Some food for thought for us all. Let’s bring the fun element back into the game. It is not “win at all costs” 

 

Andy Chaplin.