6 yellows & an incorrectly allowed goal

Plenty of cautions but an all-around controlled and hard-fought game. Plus a goal that shouldn't have counted...

A caution to the right player in the right moment (or the perfect one-liner) can quickly calm down an intense game.

Yesterday I AR’d a BU13 and centered a BU16 Premier. Both games had their twists and turns and I learned a lot.

Here’s what I’m taking away from the games!

1. A goal was allowed that shouldn’t have been

In the first game I was ARing, an attacking player was dribbling into the box and was fouled.

At the same time, he wildly swung for the ball and connected.

The referee blew their whistle, I assume to award a penalty. The player luckily made good contact with the ball and it went past the goalkeeper and into the net.

The center awarded the goal even with all the parents behind me complaining that they'd blown their whistle.

The LOTG clearly state if a whistle is blown to stop play, then play is stopped. The penalty should have been awarded and the goal disallowed.

Takeaway: I’ve been thinking about this since it happened and next time, I will call the center over to discuss what should be done. Looking back, the reason I didn’t say anything even though I knew the goal should have been disallowed as I didn't want to call out my center who I was supposed to be supporting. I also definitely didn't want to have to run onto the field to correct a call. In short, I froze. Next time I’ll be brave and make sure our officiating team gets these black-and-white calls correctly.

2. 6 yellows

The BU16 game I was centering was hard-fought and well-played. Both teams were talented and working hard to get the result.

Through the game, I garnished 6 cautions. All were deserved and I’m confident they all helped control the flow of the game and stop it from getting too heated.

This is the most cards I’ve given out in a single game by far.

To be honest, I used to think giving out tons of cards was the sign that the referee had lost control of the game.

But now having gone through it in a positive context, I don’t think that at all. In some cases like yesterday, it actually may. mean the opposite; that the referee clamped down on reckless actions often and kept the game competitive.

Takeaway: keep the confidence in giving cards when necessary. Cautions (or even the threat of one) can really help calm a game down.

Know a soccer ref? Feel free to share this with them 💙