FCArmstrong

I’ve had a few too many games this spring and many conversations with many assignors. Here’s what I’d like to tackle this summer.

• The Toolbelt
  • Whistle, Voice, Body Language, Position, Cards, Humanity
• Referees vs AR duties
  • Are you as flexible as the lawbook as referee or do you need to be black and white as an AR.
• Advantage
  • For the good of the game it’s not good to always be right and quick when you see a foul.
• Reading the Temperature
  • Not every game is the world cup but to each player that game may be their copa mundial.
• Managing the game with coaches for an EAP or adverse climate.
• The role of the club in taking over referee development.
  • Several clubs in Allegheny and Armstrong County have decided to pay senior referees to mentor new grassroots referee.
• Adults vs Youth
  • Which is easier? How much teaching should we do? What should we tolerate? How do you communicate your humanity?
• Equipment Bag
  • Weather Aware, team aware, basic tools.
• Report writing
  • You gave the card, now what do you do?
• Your team is always right.
  • There are three teams on the field for each game, right or wrong, your team must be on the same page, right or wrong.
• Red Cards
  • Do you know when you have SFP? VC? DOGSO?
• Managing the Sideline
  • It’s not about what you will tolerate, it’s about keeping our young refs in the game.
• Role of the Clubs in coaching, players, parents.
  • Stop treating your referee pool as commodities, bring your appreciation of them to every game.
• Support and Direction from the local governing body.
  • I really miss WIAA and WISRef. If you live and officiate in PA, you really need to experience living somewhere else.
• Understanding Coaching Licenses and Framework
  • If the coaches know their job and their tasks, they no that nowhere is coaching referees in their 6 tasks and any dissent goes directly against 3 of their tasks per US Soccer.
• Pathway GR–>Regional–>National–>FIFA