3 whistles do create confusion for real soccer players who understand the LOTG and the spirit of the game. Giving three different humans with 3 different playing, coaching, officiating experience levels a whistle makes flow and consistency anything but consistent even with coms.
Even 2 humans with 2 whistles with completely different angles leads to similar problems. Add in the thought that too many red cards were issued the previous season, so instead of working on reducing red cards, looking at reasons for red cards and working with education of coaches, players and officials– administrators are going to reinstitute the late 1990’s soft red card idea makes me really think of why I ever chose to come back to high school soccer in Pennsylvania after leaving Wisconsin.
Add in the situation over game fees that has precipitated before the start of the season and I really am rethinking which assignments I’m going to say yes to and which ones I’m going to block. At somepoint enough pushback makes me say hell no to leaving my house, my pups and my wife on a school night.
If you see me at the field this year, please say hello, give me a high five and a very loud thank you for making time to keep the game safe for the kids. If I don’t say high back but just give you a thumbs up, understand I’m showing up, taking the money and doing the job to the best of my abilities.
This is the stuff that needs to be shared so the referee community understands the uphill battle that is going on in so many places.
If you follow real soccer you need to know the following.
- The PINK- red card- soft red for two cautions allow the team to substitute for the player sent off.
- Send off’s exist for VC, DOGSO, SFP, Spitting, Striking, Foul, Racist, Religious, Sexist and Abusive Language, Taunting- team must play man down.
- 2 x 10 min OT’s golden goal for regular season.
- If you live in the south or east good luck.
