Question Number: 17430

Character, Attitude and Control 10/21/2007

RE: Rec Under 9

David of Portland, OR USA asks...

My question concerns my son's frustration with how the game is being called, and I'm not sure how to advise him since soccer was not even available where and when I was a kid. As far as I'm concerned he is being coached the right way- to not use his arms at all, but the referees, who are high school kids, only call fouls if the legs are taken out by aggressive moves, and sometimes not even then. This seems to greatly favor the kids who are "more solidly built" who frequently plow through the crowd with arms and upper bodies.

Will this situation correct itself as he advances up through the age groups either through more scrutiny by referes or more subtlety (less force) in moves by the players? Or should I advise him to use his own body and arms to counteract the strategies I mentioned by the other players above?

Thanks, David

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Your son is not alone in his frustration. Not to put ideas in the minds of my colleagues but I'm here to help referees judge a better match. The referee is only as good as his experience and his knowledge can allow. We provide an avenue to gain a better knowledge. It is not our fault that referees without experience and knowledge don't have the wherewithal to learn. You must take an active role in things, film the bad referee and ask your club why he is allowed to work. Take the referee course, learn better than him and take his place.

The other thing, one I don't necessarily agree with it, is to teach your son a better class of foul play so he may defeat his opponent at his own game and take advantage of a referee who won't call or doesn't have the courage to call attention to foul play.

There are three ways to protect your son. Make the referee learn, become a referee or become a foul player and bring The Beautiful Game into the gutter like the referee you find fault in. Choose wisely David. Of course a start in making good choices might be printing this and letting your club board see it...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Unfortunately, at your age group you usually get very young and/or inexperienced referees. I would start by expressing your concern to your referee assignor. The younger and less skilled the players, the tighter the game should be called. This is for the player's safety. If no fouls are being called or only very forceful ones, something is amiss and should be corrected. Unfortunately, many Leagues have decided to treat referees as necessary evils and do nothing in the way of referee developement. All they care about is getting someone on the field. 10 years ago we actually had experienced adults refereeing U Little games

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

My colleagues give you excellent advice. The first place I would suggest you go is to the assignor for your league, and voice your concerns regarding the level of game being called by the referees versus the level of game being played by the players. The second thing I would do is hie yourself to a referee class - knowledge is power, and we need every able bodied, well-intentioned, knowledgeable person we can find to help out, especially on the U-little games. The last thing I would recommend is getting with your coach and your son to discuss what he can legally do on the field, and there are many things, to side-step the more "solidly built" young players. Leaving them in their tracks, or sitting on the ground while you run to goal is a greatly satisfying feeling.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

One thing to remember is that these HS age referees are used to the way they play the game, not the way U9's play. They will see something that they commonly play through, and will think the youngsters should do the same. With a little more experience, these newer refs will begin to appreciate the differences in player abilities at different age levels.