December 4, 2008

The intent of this weekly newsletter is to provide interesting and useful referee related information for AYSO referees. Send questions, article ideas or comments to: Joe Eldridge, AYSO National Referee Administrator at WhistleStop@....

To Whistle Or Not To Whistle?

Things You Didn't Know About Things You Know Well

Referees must make quick decisions, and the luxury of time to think it over, look it up or discuss it with someone is not an option during the game. Test your knowledge and see if you can answer the following questions: 

What should the referee do and how is play restarted, if late in the game with the red team winning by a goal, a red team player deliberately...

1.  Takes an unnecessarily excessive amount of time to take a throw-in?
2.  Dribbles the ball into the corner arc but not off the field and screens the opposing player from playing the ball?
3.  Wastes time by repeatedly kicking the ball back to her goalkeeper?
4.  Delays the blue team from taking a free kick by standing in front of the ball?

For answers, click here.

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Visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org/auction and bid today!

The auction ends December 15th at 11:59 EST (8:59 PST) so bid early and often!

Tales From The Pitch

A Lasting Memory

Jim Marvel, Tuscon, AZ
 
It was a hot, summer evening in Tucson and wildfires in the distance lighted up the sky.  I was assigned to referee a short-sided girls U-10 game. The girls looked spiffy in their shorts, jerseys and matching hair ribbons. Unfortunately, it became a rather lopsided game. The girls in powder blue were seriously challenged, but they were having fun. By halftime, the girls in pink had scored six times and, in the second half, the goals continued to pile up regardless of how the coach of the pink team positioned his players. I was trying to encourage the blue team by complimenting good play where I could, including some infrequent goalkeeper saves. The blue team's spirits remained high as they kept trying and never quit smiling.
 
With about two minutes left, the pink team had a momentary lapse in defensive organization and a blue player found herself alone, with the ball, and a clear shot at the goal. She kicked a slow roller that the pink goalkeeper mishandled and ended up in the goal. "Gooooooooool" was cheered by the blue team supporters. From my lips came: "Nice shot" as I turned and signaled goal by pointing to the center circle with my outstretched hand. The little girl who scored came skipping by with a huge smile on her face and mistook my referee signal for an invitation and quickly slapped my palm completing the "High Five." I started laughing, the parents followed suit, and we could hardly finish the game. It's an AYSO memory that will last forever.