Tag: individual growth
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Ref Life: Being match fit requires a plan for active recovery.
I couldn’t help but share this one for y’all. We here in the US who are learning the US Soccer Refereeing Way under stand the importance of fitness. Match Fitness is key to being in the right place to have the best view. If we push ourselves physically throughout the match we need to make…
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Ref Life: Developing new refs and the IFAB’s Footballrules.com
This is part 3 of a 5 part series. After recertifying for US Soccer officiating in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 the US Soccer Referee Program has made changes in how to handle situations. In 2022 coaches and bench personell were typically not issued cards. There was a training method that believed handling situations…
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Ref Life: Doing the Work
My US Soccer Mentor journey 2026. My journey in football started when I was only 8 years old, the game has been with me for the last four decades. As a player I learned that the game is the best teacher. I’ve been playing the game through most of those four decades. I’ve been coaching…
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Healthy kids, healthy communities. Support soccer for free.
I’m revisiting this two years after my initial publication. I’m not seeing a change. I still see a situation where children are for profit in soccer clubs. I’m looking for ways to change the current status. We need to find more ways to make soccer for children. Me- Dec 2025 Writers note- Phoebe has started…
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Ref Life: When the US Futsal league in Pittsburgh, changes buildings.
New location, new courts, working through the house rules. US Futsal in Monroeville has a new home with Pro Sports at All American Fieldhouse
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Ref Life: Has the soccer gotten any better?
After a long weekend of officiating a lot of games from U12 to open men, I have my answer. The question I have for you is what do you think?. . . Has American Soccer Improved? I’m not a kickball fan. When I played my teammates and I kicked around on our own, played 2v2…
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Protected: Wrapping up Pro-Sports Futsal 2024-25 Season.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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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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Let the game be the teacher.
The coach is frustrated with the impact of Youth Soccer Regional Travel Super Clubs on futsal training in Pittsburgh. He’s exhausted from officiating bad soccer, limited opportunities for players to play and master basics, and the lack of creativity and experimentation. He suggests thinking outside the box or creating a new playing environment.
FCArmstrong 