He barely avoided DOGSO, bugs and umbrellas
He barely avoided DOGSO, bugs and umbrellas
I got it right in the biggest moment of yesterday's match but it sill could have been better.
I worked a middle school boys game yesterday afternoon.
The game was competitive and a lot of fun to referee. It ended 1-0 from an extremely unlucky own goal so it was a close encounter.
Here’s what I’m keeping with me moving forward!
1. Read the game a little faster
There was one big breakaway in the game for which my positioning was good. I clearly saw the last defender slide in and get his toe on the ball.
I heard and felt the crowd’s energy rising as the attacker got closer to goal so I knew I had to make a show of it.
I cut the grass and yelled that he’d gotten ball. It was 99% the right call. No arguments from players or spectators.
But I could have read and predicted the play better and thus been a bit farther outside to have an even better view on the play.
I think this is actually more about reading play than positioning; I know what position I should have been in but I only could have been there by predicting play better. Lesson learned
Takeaway: Predict play a bit faster and allow it to influence my positioning. Also always maintain those happy feet!
2. The bugs were bugging me
It was a bit wet and rain yesterday so the gnats were out.
Once the game got started, they actually weren’t a problem at all because I was always moving.
But pre-game, they were a bit annoying.
Takeaway: No big deal. Just need to grab a little bug spray and add it to my game bag alongside my sun screen.
3. I forgot my umbrella
Speaking of rain, I forgot my umbrella yesterday.
I also carry a garbage bag to put my game day bag into if the rain starts which I used yesterday. So the umbrella wasn’t even necessary.
Takeaway: it’s a good best-practice to have an umbrella if the forecast calls for rain. Even if I don’t end up needing it, it’s just one less thing I have to distract me from my pre-game focus.
Know a soccer ref? Feel free to share this with them 💙