I have gotten a few emails over the past few weeks stating how pleased a handful of coaches were with the referees for their games.
Some important notes to keep in consideration for the rest of the season:
If for any reason you referee an extra game, you must let me know and include the match details
No soccer balls are allowed in the school, only futsal balls. Tell coaches and parents to keep the soccer balls at home.
There have been issues with the incorrect size ball being used. U-12 and younger play with a size 3 futsal ball (equivalent in size to a size 4 soccer ball) and U-13 and older play with a size 4 (equivalent in size to a size 5 soccer ball). There is one issue and all referees must be wary of this, Jinga has sized their futsal balls a bit differently.
"Select Jinga" futsal balls, even though they may say 3 on them, are the size of any other size 4 futsal ball.
"Select Jinga Jr." futsal balls are labeled as 2.5 but are the same size as any other size 3 futsal ball.
Everyone must make sure that the correct size is being used. If the right size is not available for some reason it is okay to use another size futsal ball, but it is not preferred.
Now for some things that have been seen this past week:
(keep in mind this page is meant to be a learning tool, not a place to degrade anyone)
1. Referee(s) not keeping foul count
There are many ways of tracking fouls. Experiment and find out what works best for you (ie. writing it down, coins in pocket, keeping a counter)
2. Direct free kick given for goalkeeper throwing ball over the halfway line.
3. Counting indirect free kick infractions as an accumulated foul
Only direct free kick fouls stated in Law 12 are counted as accumulated fouls. All have contact except for slide tackling within one's own penalty area. No contact most likely means no accumulated foul.
4. Referee making a correct decision and then explaining it incorrectly to coaches.
Don't give details of a call. Just advise where players and coaches which law the infraction violated. If they want to know, they can look it up.
5. Penalty kick taken taken far to close to the goal
Easy fix. 20 feet, all age groups, just short of 7 yards. Before your first game, go to the corner of the pitch and if you have a stride of roughly a yard, walk 7 strides up the touchline. Just shy of that 7th pace is 20 feet. Look at what marking is on the pitch even with that 20 foot mark and is in between the goalposts. On just about every pitch I have been to, it is the basketball free throw line. As discussed in a previous week, if it is a foot closer, not a big deal. Use that difinitive mark so there is consistancy.
6. Referees not moving
7. Referee(s) letting dissent become an issue / Not dealing with it
We are there for the players so they can play the game. Games are supposed to be fun. If a coach is doing something to make it less so for you or the players, he/she is most likely doing something he/she is not supposed to.
8. Lack of teamwork between referees
Use each stoppage of play to communicate with each other, whether is is verbally or not (MAKE EYE CONTACT). When two referees are assigned to a match, they are equals. If you do not work together, you are undermining the integrity of yourself as well as your fellow referee.
There are two connecting facts with all of the above points, laziness or just not knowing the rules of the competition. If anyone has questions or concerns about the rules you can always contact me or read through the L.I. Futsal Rules. The other I can not help with.
Please remember that we are all professionals and are paid as such (highest per game fee in the USA). Act professionally. Know the rules, be in the proper position, and act in the best interest of the players and the game. For young players, help them learn the game. For example, it is okay if you see a player is taking a kick in incorrectly to bring it back and tell them that they need to keep their non kicking foot on or behind the touch line. IN the end it just comes down to applying a bit of common sense to any situation.