Category: Uncategorized
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Ref Life: Reducing Clutter: Mental, Physical, at home, scheduling.
On the pitch: No room for dissent. No room for abuse. Make decisions that will benefit the development of new and learning referees. Continued reflection after each match and after working with new team members. On the physical front: Remove boundaries that impact my overall health. Practice saying no to more games. Practice only scheduling…
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Ref Life: Homophobic slurs in a U9 game?
Football is supposed to unite. Football is supposed to be for everybody. Football is the universal game that reminds us we are all on this same planet together. In Lancaster this past winter my ears heard it from one of the parents in a U9 pool play game. Luckily the little GK didn’t speak Spanish…
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Ref Life: Heat, Waiting for Advantage, Hand to ball in a natural position, video learning.
Quick review of the past weekend. It was hot. Hydration breaks were added, since this was the first week with air temps over 80 degrees F, then add in the turf temp. The real feel with humidity was close to 100! Sometimes you clearly see a foul, but realize that players may be able to…
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Somos Americanos: One Nation, One Team
After watching the MLB game at Rickwood Field last night, I took a moment to reflect how far we as a nation have come since the 1960’s but realize we still have a long way to go. US Soccer has been introducing a new series.
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Ref Life: Observing Memorial Day off the pitch.
Hello Fellow Referees: This is a big showcase/tournament/shootout/beach blast weekend for those that make the big $$$$ hosting tournaments in destination places. Do you normally spend your Memorial Day working one of these events? If so, please stop! This is a holiday to spend with friends and family to reflect on how the United States…
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SoccerParenting.com: keeping your players safe.
Hello Soccer Families: I’ve been keeping an eye on a site called SoccerParenting.com to see how they tackle some of the issues I see from the sidelines as both a coach and referee. Next Friday at noon EDT they are having a zoom meeting with the US Soccer Federation medical director. Feel free to sign…
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Protected: Referee Life: Remembering those that love the game.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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Ref Life: When you miss something in real time.
Guess what? As a referee we are human and do make mistakes or miss things. Yep that includes me. I had an epic miss last night during my match. However as a referee team, we caught the miss and made the correction during the normal flow of the game. Did you know as a referee,…
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Ref Life: What does your map look like? Pennsylvania edition.
I’m reaching the midway point of the high school soccer season in the Pittsburgh region. As a referee this is a crazy time of year with games available 7 days a week between USSF, PIAA and adult soccer. The coach in me does not like the approach of 2 games and 3 training days per…
FCArmstrong 