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Mr. Official wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:16 am I know Armstrong pushes out to high school coaches to try and get at least their seniors to get a license. I'm not sure how many he had in class this year... only 3-4 maybe. Learn the other side of the ball, Help control a team, gain a tactical advantage, make some extra cash on a plethora of Junior high contests, finally have some authority over know-it-all adults... you know, the list goes on and on.

Tammy Gillogly usually holds a class in Athens but I don't think that happened this year and I don't think there was one offered around Chillicothe either. Not sure if John Dick still does those or not, I know he's on his way out of the soccer world (1-2) season left anyway.

Add to that mix an increase in middle school contests that assignors need to assign for their cut and it's a headache to say the least.

I've worked with several officials and a few are past their time to go. It hurts physically to watch them "run" and the reaction just isn't there through no fault of their own. Most don't want the game taken away from them. Some feel obligated to stick around because not enough new officials are coming up and some literally would rather die on the field and be carried off than walk away.

I'd love to relay ideas and as an association we've bounced around how to target people but I know at least for me an most class 1 guys a full season is around 40 games. I'd gladly take a couple nights off a week if it meant better soccer for the area and fresher legs for all involved. The burnout starts to hit before the excitement of the tournament can take hold.

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:46 pm SE District needs a concerted effort for new refs. It’s going to become a money thing. I’d say that keep current pay rate and if they receive good ratings by the coach they get a bonus. If they officiate certain number matches they get bonuses.

Mr. Official wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 1:17 pm

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:46 pm SE District needs a concerted effort for new refs. It’s going to become a money thing. I’d say that keep current pay rate and if they receive good ratings by the coach they get a bonus. If they officiate certain number matches they get bonuses.

I think it's a money thing for any official and the discrepancies between leagues. Speaking only for high school, I've done regular season games in the center for $90. I've also done them for $55. There ought to be a standard for the match being played.

I've also done Junior high games for anywhere between $45-60. In some cases double because I was the only official.

Then take into account JV games... I think the SOC rate differs and was at $45 or something. If I can take a middle school game and make more why not?

SO while the current system does need addressed for clarity between leagues... who would enforce your added bonus? You already have to get 10 games to be eligible for tournaments. You're supposed to be a Class 1 but that doesn't always happen because the numbers are what they are.

I don't know that there is a simple answer but I'd be open to any suggestions.

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:38 pm
Accountability is also become an issue. Referees are accountable to no one. They can make any calls they want without recourse.

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:38 pm I was thinking after so many matches there would be a bonus paid. Encourage refs to keep a full schedule.

Accountability is also become an issue. Referees are accountable to no one. They can make any calls they want without recourse. Collectively it takes some leadership at the district level. As much video that is being shot today I believe random games should be graded by fellow refs. Physicians sit through M and M conferences so refs should sit through similar process among peers.

alabama mike wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:48 am Mr. Official, he had 3 to take the class. It was advertised on FB as well as contacting areas coaches. It really is not a bad gig for a young person in college or just out who would like a little extra money. Seniors in high school can do junior high and pee wee games by taking the class. Not sure what, if any thing is paid for pee wee but they would be paid for junior high games.

Mr. Official wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:06 amAnd another rant... can we stop playing the girls first every time and give them their shot under the lights?

Frank Reagan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:04 am

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:38 pm
Accountability is also become an issue. Referees are accountable to no one. They can make any calls they want without recourse.

Not necessarily true. They are accountable to the ones that hire them and the ones that grade/rate them. If someone does a poor job, they won't get hired back or assigned, or if there is a lack of officials, they won't get good, quality games. And then as for the ones that rate them, they cannot get tournament games if their ratings are poor. Those two make the referees be accountable to someone.

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:15 pm The beauty of the game today is video evidence. You watch call after call and the disparity. In the end video shows the truth.

Mr. Official wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:39 am

rxburgfan wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:15 pm The beauty of the game today is video evidence. You watch call after call and the disparity. In the end video shows the truth.

I'm going to argue against this and not because I want any of my calls being overturned... The beauty of the game is in the spirit of the game. Not video evidence. Angles are everything in soccer. Advantage is everything in soccer. I've had games where players couldn't handle any contact within the rules of the game and wanted every touch foul called. I've also had teams that played within the rules and have been very vocal about letting the touch stuff go. Skill of the players is also a top consideration. In our area, as referenced by the scores of recent games, is very diverse. We have great teams and we have terrible teams. We have teams that can compete with small colleges and those that would be beat by 8-10 from 11 random fans in the stands. Late clips, flailing arms, UGLY SOCCER. Which is the worst to officiate.

Even at the professional levels there have been several instances where the VAR has been wrong. I'm not saying I don't agree with replays, but until you can get a system in place like football has, multiple angles, multiple breakdowns, slow motion, the works... its a waste of time if it can't be implemented correctly.

That being said, OHSAA considers all officiating decisions final. There is too much room for every scenario being challenged and overturned in our current "entitled" state.

But referees should strive to get better. I always self assess after a game. Usually text my partners later after walking out. I've been shown videos of bad calls, and videos of good calls. I've also been shown a good call from a bad angle and vice versa.

Expect missed calls though. If Top shelf referees still make mistakes, you better believe that anything less than that will also screw something up. Hopefully its in the middle of the field and not the attacking third when that happens though. From experience, looking through 10-15 players at a time is hard to do... except from the stands.

Mr. Official wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:17 am Agreed. For the sake of clarity though are we at football 18 coming down to about the 8 yard line or are we at the top of the penalty box 18 and coming down to the 8? Still depending on the ANGLE, the 10 yards is marked to the goal as the crow flies. Not per hash mark on the field unless its dead on.

In other news, I had a coach the other night ask to 10 feet and went ballistic when I told him they were already a good 27 feet back. He calmed down after he realized what he had said. Great game after that. joked about a few things. I owned up to a play on that wasn't called back and all was good.