Las Cruces Soccer Referee Association General Meeting November 13, 2002

 

 

Room Las Cruces High School, B Wing, Room 12

 

 

There was no Board of Directors’ meeting.

 

President Robert Gage called the meeting to order at 19:10.

 

Jim Dawson moved to accept the minutes of the October meeting as posted on the web; Alan Jackson seconded the motion; the motion passed on a voice vote.

 

Treasurer José Diosdado presented the financial reports:

$3,808.00 The bill to High Noon Soccer League

                 246.00 profit from TWET

             5, 488.08 Monthly financial report balance

 

District Referee Administrator Gary Manley reported:

1) USSF publications are available for those who want them.

            a) Referee Administrative Handbook

            b) Guide to Procedures: Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials

2) The new guidelines for upgrading are in the latest issue of Off the Pitch

a)      Decision to undergo the year-long upgrade process must be made by 30 November

b)       Must pass physical before initiating the upgrade process

3) G11s are being phased out; good through 2003

4) A G9 clinic will be held on 18 January, time and place to be announced

 

Training

The training session consisted of presentations by the four LCSRA members selected to participate in the State High School Tournament held in Las Cruces. Four of twelve referees who worked the tournament were from LCSRA.

Nigel Holman spoke about the excellent quality soccer and the opportunity to talk about it with other referees. He remarked that the AAAA boys’ consolation game was difficult because the teams were only playing for third. The score was 3-0 in the first 20 minutes and the losing team became frustrated. The losing team committed a very hard foul, which resulted in a yellow card. The play did not calm down, and other cards were given, including a second yellow. A red card was given in the 50th minute for a hard foul that José Diosdado called for. Tom Duttle was the other AR. Holman stated that he continued to give cards throughout game. He lamented the fact that few referees were watching this challenging game. He commented on the fitness of the referees, remarking that some had such a thorough knowledge of game that they did not seem to be running. The refereeing seemed effortless.

Gage stated that this was because those referees were anticipating play.

 

Tom Scott began by praising Duttle’s line in boys’ AAA final. Scott was an AR for the Mayfield-El Dorado third place game. He noted the importance of protecting the integrity of center, particularly when the center has a few problems. He cited the incident in which the Mayfield assistant coach protested and left the designated coaching area. Tom went directly to the head coach and that put a stop to the situation. He commented on intervening to support a center who had correctly changed call. Scott noted that the Kirtland Central keeper was outstanding and that he and Duttle congratulated him for his stellar play in a losing effort. Finally, he recounted several effective uses of humor throughout the tournament to ease the tension.

 

Tom Duttle remarked on the incredible atmosphere, with the Mayfield band, throngs of fans on Thursday morning. He thought this was the best State Tournament he has attended. One of the factor contributing to this was the proximity to town as opposed to the Bernalillo soccer complex, which is far from Albuquerque. Duttle stressed the importance of being in position, which says a lot about your ability as a referee. Looking sharp will give you added credibility. He also had a difficult consolation game. It is a last game, and frustrations are bound to come out. The way you present cards effects how you are perceived. St. Pius was running complicated crossing patterns, and defense was totally confused. They may well be best team in the state. He discussed a yellow card given with one minute left. The score was 3-0, and the team ahead was killing the ball in the corner to keep score down. A member of the losing team kicked the legs out from under the player killing the ball. After the game, the referees debated the issue of whether the team ahead was baiting but agreed that the card was deserved. Duttle pointed out that he had to come onto the field to deal with skirmishes during the AAAA boys’ consolation game that Holman centered, the first time he had ever had to do that.

Holman commented on Duttle’s offside call on rebound shot, which gained credibility for the whole crew.

 

José Diosdado admitted that even though he has been going to the State Tournament for fifteen years he still gets nervous before games. He commented on the difficult challenge of consolation games because the pit two frustrated champions. At this level the pregame is very important and must be specific. As a general rule the AR calls offensive fouls, and the center calls defensive fouls unless such a foul is very close to the AR. Foul recognition is vital at this level. He described a situation that provoked protest from the coaches when a knee rather than a foot was delivered to the chest. Diosdado said this should be an automatic red card. A “cleats up” tackle is automatic yellow; if the player is hit, an automatic red. Only one referee of the twelve was unable to recognize fouls. In discussing what to do with difficult game, he noted that Holman was a very Nigel patient referee; Jose would have terminated the AAAA consolation game rather than continue to give cards because the players were not responding. Still, he agreed with all fifteen cards Holman gave. He suggested stopping a difficult game, calling for the captains, and asking for help. They should be told that if the rough play does not stop, the red cards will fly. Stop the game again if the problem continues and call the coaches. Warn them coach that at the next yellow card the game is over. Finally he cited his problems with a female coach who applauded a player who got a red card.

 

Nigel thanked the LCSRA members who volunteered, among whom were Monte Wellborn, Robert Gage, and Joe Flemming.

 

Assignor Kevin Riedel stated that there were no games this weekend. He received thanks for a job well done from the membership! Andy Bristol will be assigner next year.

 

Gage is not running for office next year. The position of assigner-vice president is not elective. The following offices are up for election:

President

Director of Development

Director of Assessment

Second Vice-President

Treasurer

Secretary

 

Gloria de León, Jim Dawson, Cameron Saffell, Al Porter, and Greg Marez constitute the nominating committee.  The election takes place at the December; those elected take office in January.

 

General Discussion

Gage discussed counting for persistent infringement and the various way of doing it. It was noted that as the center referee, you should tell the ARs which one you want to take over if something happen to you. In theory, AR1 works team side, but circumstances (unruly crowd) may dictate placing the more experienced AR on the fan side.

 

Scott recommended that we try to observe the polish of a referee, crispness of whistle and signal, communication skills, and positioning. Polish is something to be admired and to strive for as a referee.

 

Diosdado observed that the signaling was almost simultaneous with the whistle at the State Tournament and should be the goal of a good referee.

 

Riedel moved to adjourn; Duttle seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.

 

Scott won the door prize and elected to give it to a youth referee. Kyle Johnson was the lucky fellow.

 

Rick Hendricks, Secretary

November 16, 2002