This is REALLY true....

[Unregistered]

'The problem with referees is they know the rules, but not the game.'

[Unregistered]

'The problem with referees is they know the rules, but not the game.'

The bigger problem though is that some don't know the rules or how to apply them. Off-sides, playing the advantage, and even simple throw-ins are problems for some. The vast majority of refs are good, but there are some who don't know enough to be reffing games. Then you have some who intentionally make bad calls in order to help the home team, but that's a whole other story.

[Unregistered]

the biggest problem is 1 ref on the field. unless it happens right in front of him their point of view might not let them see what actually happened.

suck it up. not going to change any time soon. we all saw the mess they made out of the world cup. do you really expect better on a field of kids? they get paid crap. they get yelled at by players/parents/coaches. and you expect what out of a thankless job that pays less than minimum wage? the best of the best?

what the ref says goes, right or wrong. sometimes you get lucky, some times you dont. it is part of the game.

[Unregistered]

The bigger problem though is that some don't know the rules or how to apply them. Off-sides, playing the advantage, and even simple throw-ins are problems for some. The vast majority of refs are good, but there are some who don't know enough to be reffing games. Then you have some who intentionally make bad calls in order to help the home team, but that's a whole other story.

what parents do not understand is "advantage" is the refs call. it is not automatic. your team gest fouled but you make a run on the goal and score, your team is not entitled to play on because of advantage. that is solely the refs call weatehr he allows it or not. he does not have to let the play go on even if it is clearly your advantage and he knows it is. totally his call. not a rule. just an exception the ref can use at his discreation.

good example, hand ball, someone screams it against the other team. they stop playing but you make the run and shoot. he can AND SHOULD call the ball back reguardless of advange. not a rule, just a tool he is allowed to use to keep the game flowing.

most of them know what they are doing. it is usually the parents and alot of times coaches who do not know what the rules are. there are bad refs. there are infantly more parents and coaches who know just enough to scream BAD REF without fully understanding the rules and how to apply them/

[Unregistered]

Tampa Bay Chargers

sites in Clearwater, Countryside, Lakewood Ranch, West Tampa (Ed Radice), South Tampa and several sites in New Tampa.

That leaves

WFP - fight for north county players and those that do not want a big club.
Strictly - fight for mid to south county players that want a real club feel (they do tend to send all of their teams to the same events)
Brandon - East Hillsborough
Revolution - South Hillsborough
Everton, Largo, Tarpon and Azalea - Pinellas boutique clubs
Everton Pasco, Central Pasco and Wesley Chapel - Do they still have many teams in Pasco
FC Tampa, Plant City, Florida Spirit and Valrico - Hillsborough boutique clubs

It stills creates a place for every level of player but clearly establishes a regional presence that could compete with the best of the State and hopefully Region III.

[Unregistered]

'The problem with referees is they know the rules, but not the game.'

The biggest problem is that they are human and many make mistakes. No different than any other ref. You must also understand their point of view. We might see something from where we are sitting and they might not based on where they are standing. We expect them to be perfect and they are not. Now I will not deny that there are some bad ones yes.

[Unregistered]

"Survey says...

over 90% of those who complain about refs never took a ref certification course and never reffed. Less than 5% of the ref complainers could pass the ref certification test."

[Unregistered]

Tampa Bay Chargers

sites in Clearwater, Countryside, Lakewood Ranch, West Tampa (Ed Radice), South Tampa and several sites in New Tampa.

That leaves

WFP - fight for north county players and those that do not want a big club.
Strictly - fight for mid to south county players that want a real club feel (they do tend to send all of their teams to the same events)
Brandon - East Hillsborough
Revolution - South Hillsborough
Everton, Largo, Tarpon and Azalea - Pinellas boutique clubs
Everton Pasco, Central Pasco and Wesley Chapel - Do they still have many teams in Pasco
FC Tampa, Plant City, Florida Spirit and Valrico - Hillsborough boutique clubs

It stills creates a place for every level of player but clearly establishes a regional presence that could compete with the best of the State and hopefully Region III.

That post is really NOT true. There is little chance of any Chargers and TBU merger.

[Unregistered]

"Survey says...

over 90% of those who complain about refs never took a ref certification course and never reffed. Less than 5% of the ref complainers could pass the ref certification test."

Well since you said that, did you know that 90% of referees never played soccer past U11? They were getting tired of being laughed at as a player and decided to become referees. Oh yea, less than 5% actually played in high school.

[Unregistered]

Well since you said that, did you know that 90% of referees never played soccer past U11? They were getting tired of being laughed at as a player and decided to become referees. Oh yea, less than 5% actually played in high school.

Probably not too different from baseball umpires, basketball refs and football officials. So what?

Playing the sport is not a prerequisite to officiating the sport.

Here's your choices:

1. play soccer without refs - see how that works for you.

2. take the ref certification course, pass the test and contact a ref assignor - then be the best ref you can be. Rather than criticize, make a positive contribution.

[Unregistered]

Probably not too different from baseball umpires, basketball refs and football officials. So what?

Playing the sport is not a prerequisite to officiating the sport.

Here's your choices:

1. play soccer without refs - see how that works for you.

2. take the ref certification course, pass the test and contact a ref assignor - then be the best ref you can be. Rather than criticize, make a positive contribution.

3. Make a sizable financial donation to help enhance ref education and quality.

[Unregistered]

Probably not too different from baseball umpires, basketball refs and football officials. So what?

Playing the sport is not a prerequisite to officiating the sport.

Here's your choices:

1. play soccer without refs - see how that works for you.

It's called Street Soccer and most countries it works very well....

[Unregistered]

Well since you said that, did you know that 90% of referees never played soccer past U11? They were getting tired of being laughed at as a player and decided to become referees. Oh yea, less than 5% actually played in high school.

So, instead of "throwing rocks", what's your substantive suggestions for improvement?

There's already a critical shortage of certified youth soccer refs. This shortage is due, in part, to beginner and/or younger refs who abandon officiating because the wage doesn't make it worth it to put up with harrassing and obnoxious soccer-stupid SoccerDads and SoccerMoms who never got past page 1 of The Laws of the Game.

Based on your (idiotic and pointless) comment that "5% actually played in high school", here's one possible solution: require all youth soccer refs to have played soccer at least through high school. Along with this requirement, increase ref fees to attract and retain such refs who meet this new requirement.

Here's what would happen: 1. The current ref pool will drastically dwindle. The availability of refs for the demand of league matches, high school play and tournaments will be impossible to fulfill. 2. Soccer-stupid SoccerDads and SoccerMoms will scream bloody murder over increases in their club/team fees due to higher ref fees.

Want better quality officiating in youth soccer? Here's a simple start: treat ALL refs with respect. Soccer-stupid SoccerDads and SoccerMoms should read and comply with the Code of Conduct/Ethics if they're not going to take the time to at least familiarize themselves with The Laws of the Game.

Then maybe the newer and younger refs will stick around long enough to get the experience needed to be good quality refs.

If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.

[Unregistered]

Whaaaaaaat?

It's so funny to read these types of comments.....specially from people that can't even spell soccer correctly. 90% from where? From your block or your school. I understand that there are Officials out there that can't run and just do it for the money, but there are also Officials out there that love the game and do a hell of a job out there; I know I do!

Well since you said that, did you know that 90% of referees never played soccer past U11? They were getting tired of being laughed at as a player and decided to become referees. Oh yea, less than 5% actually played in high school.

[Unregistered]

So, instead of "throwing rocks", what's your substantive suggestions for improvement?

There's already a critical shortage of certified youth soccer refs. This shortage is due, in part, to beginner and/or younger refs who abandon officiating because the wage doesn't make it worth it to put up with harrassing and obnoxious soccer-stupid SoccerDads and SoccerMoms who never got past page 1 of The Laws of the Game.

Based on your (idiotic and pointless) comment that "5% actually played in high school", here's one possible solution: require all youth soccer refs to have played soccer at least through high school. Along with this requirement, increase ref fees to attract and retain such refs who meet this new requirement.

Here's what would happen: 1. The current ref pool will drastically dwindle. The availability of refs for the demand of league matches, high school play and tournaments will be impossible to fulfill. 2. Soccer-stupid SoccerDads and SoccerMoms will scream bloody murder over increases in their club/team fees due to higher ref fees.

Want better quality officiating in youth soccer? Here's a simple start: treat ALL refs with respect. Soccer-stupid SoccerDads and SoccerMoms should read and comply with the Code of Conduct/Ethics if they're not going to take the time to at least familiarize themselves with The Laws of the Game.

Then maybe the newer and younger refs will stick around long enough to get the experience needed to be good quality refs.

If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.

I like the street soccer response with no refs...the game seems more fun that way...you know that saying that the best referees are the refs you don't notice in a game because they let everyone just play without blowing a damn whistle every 20 seconds...