Mad4Socr
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Holly Springs
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Doer of good deeds
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| posted on 3/22/08 at 08:31 PM |
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Anyone else noticed this?
Now that we have played 3 matches in Swansboro over the past few years, I need to ask this question. Has anyone else experienced the SSA referees
calling the SSA team players by their first name? All three times we have seen this. Cautioning them verbally about their fouls and complimenting
them on good plays. Seems a bit unethical to me. 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some feel the rain, others just get wet.
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IRefforKicks
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| posted on 3/22/08 at 08:38 PM |
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I don't see how it is unethical unless that ref is really giving them the calls. I have a few students that I used to teach that play for Charlotte
based teams and I would call them by their first names. However, I must indicate it would be wise for the ref not to call them their names so it
doesn't misconstrue the situation.
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mattbman
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Matt B-man
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Stats Guru, Bracketologist, Web Site Developer
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| posted on 3/22/08 at 09:04 PM |
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We had a referee calling players by their first names in the FVAA Presidential Classic. Even if you do know their names, you should always strive to
be above reproach in those sorts of situations and be professional.
http://www.mattbeeman.com/ - The "Just Me" Blog
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jm951
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Referee at present, player no longer
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| posted on 3/22/08 at 09:54 PM |
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Even though I know a number of HS players around here by first name because they are also refs, I avoid ever using their first names when they are in
the player role, it avoids even the appearance of partiality to the casual observers.
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Crawdad64
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 07:04 AM |
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I'm waiting for them to call obnoxious parents by name
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats.
H.L.Mencken
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itsaboutthekids
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Just disturbing the peace.
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 08:38 AM |
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Quote:
Originally posted by Crawdad64
I'm waiting for them to call obnoxious parents by name
I'll be looking for just that opportunity!
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IRefforKicks
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 08:51 AM |
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I really don't want to get on "friendly" terms with angry parents.....just not worth the aggravation. Up in Ohio, my neighbor's kid played on the
premier team and he let me have it all the time about my reffing, especially on offside calls. Remember, we normally didn't have 3 refs working the
games up there. I need those AR's. I can't live without them because it really affects the game when you don't have them.
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Crawdad64
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 08:54 AM |
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Quote:Originally posted by itsaboutthekids
Quote:
Originally posted by Crawdad64
I'm waiting for them to call obnoxious parents by name
I'll be looking for just that opportunity!
I'll be sure to save my best material for the next time I see you! 
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats.
H.L.Mencken
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Socrates
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Advocatus Diaboli
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 09:18 AM |
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In my last league match we were up 1-0 at halftime and the center ref walked over to their keeper at the break, put his arm around him and told him to
"keep his head up" after calling him by name. This did not go un-noticed and I pointed out that I hoped he'd keep it unbiased...thankfully he did a
very good job the rest of the way though he did continually call their players by name.
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IRefforKicks
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 09:21 AM |
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There is nothing wrong with encouraging kids and kids need encouragement, but the refs should do this at their own peril. This is really for the
coaches.
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tileman108
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dan guertin
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godfather rowan county soccer (retired)
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 09:37 AM |
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Quote:
Originally posted by Crawdad64
I'm waiting for them to call obnoxious parents by name
2 funny
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GreensboroSoccerFan
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 02:24 PM |
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There was once a legendary referee from Greensboro named Bill Utter who used to call players he knew by first name whenever he spoke specifically to
them on the field. I don't think it hurt his "professional image" as a referee due to the fact that his integrity was visible for all to see.
From the Greensboro Soccer website:
"While earning great respect on the field as a coach, Utter additionally earned the highest levels of respect as a referee. For over 20 years, Utter
refereed professional, amateur, youth and college soccer matches. During that span, Utter achieved the level of State Class I (05) Referee from the
United States Soccer Federation and was chosen to referee the NCAA Women's National Championship. Utter was very active as a high school referee and
served as the Assignor for high school referees in the Triad Area of North Carolina for over 15 years. Utter served as the Director of the Piedmont
Soccer Officials in 1986 and was a Principal Examiner and Member of the Board of Directors for the Triangle Intercollegiate Soccer Officials
Association. In 1999, the Greensboro Youth Soccer Association honored Utter for his contributions by naming an award after him.....the Bill Utter
Career Achievement Award, honoring referees that have made significant contributions to the sport of soccer."
And on Utter as a coach:
"In 1991, Utter began coaching the '76 Greensboro Twisters, who won three straight NCYSA State Cup Championships from 1992 to 1994. In 1993, the '76
Twisters won the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships and advanced to the Under-17 National Championships where the team was a Finalist. In
1994, that team finished their career as the Finalists in the Region III Championships. In 1992, Utter and Rich Winslow began coaching the '83
Greensboro Twisters, that quickly became known as one of the best teams in the southeast after winning premier national tournaments at WAGS, Jefferson
Cup, Raleigh Shootout, and then Wrangler/McDonald's, all while also finishing as the NCYSA State Cup Finalist in 1995 and 1997. Utter coached the '77
Greensboro Twisters from 1994 until 1996 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greensboro Youth Soccer Association for four years,
starting in 1993. In 1996, Utter was named as the Greensboro Youth Soccer Girls Classic Coach of the Year."
http://www.greensborosoccer.org/club_hf.htm
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a dad
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 06:41 PM |
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Saw an interesting one with an interaction between a CR and parents in a U14 game.
The CR who did not move more than about 10 yards from the centerline all game called a foul at the corner flag and gave the player a card. Right or
wrong it was within his right to give it. One of the parents who was sitting inside the 18 almost to the flag had a much better view (because the CR
was on the centerline) felt that the player had gotten the ball first. He told the player "Good job - it was clean you got the ball, keep working
hard".
The CR who had come to the sidelines to give the card responded to the parent and said "I see where he gets it from".
That was totally unprofessional in my opinion. Call the game and ignore the parents who not even saying anything to you to start with.
All that comment did was make things worse. There were a couple of other times he hollered at the parents on the sideline. To me when a referee
feels the need to continue to address parents directly he is not focusing on what he should be doing.
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IRefforKicks
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 08:39 PM |
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There is nothing wrong with parents interacting with other players, but do so on your own peril. Parents, by their own nature, are defensive about
their own kids. If they see some stranger talking to them on the field, they want to know why you are talking to them. I have had to stop a brawl from
ensuing because a dad wanted to know why the other team's dad said a word to his kid. It turned out the dad was telling the player he was impressed
with this passing. Here is how a soccer game should be played: player- play soccer; ref- enforce LOTG; coaches-encourage own team; parents-cheer their
own team. Sounds simple to me.
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jm951
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| posted on 3/23/08 at 09:36 PM |
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Quote:
Saw an interesting one with an interaction between a CR and parents in a U14 game.
What level match? You've mentioned that the CR didn't stray far from the circle. I'll tell you right now, if you try to stay within 15yds of the play
on a typical rec game, you'll run yourself into the ground before halftime as you chase the ball from one PA to the other as they blast it back and
forth. Some Challenge matches aren't much better.
That said, the parent shouldn't be engaging in comments with a player on the field during a match that are opposed to what the ref is doing. It can
contribute to a player developing an attitude with that ref and result problems later in the match. Confine that type of stuff to the discussion on
the ride home.
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a dad
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| posted on 3/24/08 at 06:41 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by jm951
Quote:
Saw an interesting one with an interaction between a CR and parents in a U14 game.
What level match? You've mentioned that the CR didn't stray far from the circle. I'll tell you right now, if you try to stay within 15yds of the play
on a typical rec game, you'll run yourself into the ground before halftime as you chase the ball from one PA to the other as they blast it back and
forth. Some Challenge matches aren't much better.
That said, the parent shouldn't be engaging in comments with a player on the field during a match that are opposed to what the ref is doing. It can
contribute to a player developing an attitude with that ref and result problems later in the match. Confine that type of stuff to the discussion on
the ride home.
Classic level game. The ref was the one out of line here not the person on the sidelines. The ref made his call and his word is law on the field and
he had no need to goad a fan. The fan was not even the child's parent though the fan is a certified ref.  .
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coastalcrew90
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Jacksonville, NC
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Chelsea Supporter, Avid Observer, Former Varsity Jacksonville HS Player
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| posted on 3/24/08 at 06:45 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by Mad4Socr
Now that we have played 3 matches in Swansboro over the past few years, I need to ask this question. Has anyone else experienced the SSA referees
calling the SSA team players by their first name? All three times we have seen this. Cautioning them verbally about their fouls and complimenting
them on good plays. Seems a bit unethical to me.
Rather than a question of ethics, it seems to be a question of professionalism.
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a dad
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| posted on 3/24/08 at 06:59 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by coastalcrew90
Quote:Originally posted by Mad4Socr
Now that we have played 3 matches in Swansboro over the past few years, I need to ask this question. Has anyone else experienced the SSA referees
calling the SSA team players by their first name? All three times we have seen this. Cautioning them verbally about their fouls and complimenting
them on good plays. Seems a bit unethical to me.
Rather than a question of ethics, it seems to be a question of professionalism.
If it ended there I would agree with you. If it translated into a game where the side he friendly with got more then their share of the calls then the
ethics would be in question. I did not see where the poster said it was a lopsided game from a call perspective.
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HWPixHend
Statistical Anomaly
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Harlan Hendrick
Posts 6511
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Gastonia
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Clemson (x2) & Forestview HS - Ex GUSC, CUFC & NM Academy Parent
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| posted on 3/24/08 at 07:24 PM |
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Quote:Originally posted by a dad
Quote:Originally posted by jm951
Quote:
Saw an interesting one with an interaction between a CR and parents in a U14 game.
What level match? You've mentioned that the CR didn't stray far from the circle. I'll tell you right now, if you try to stay within 15yds of the play
on a typical rec game, you'll run yourself into the ground before halftime as you chase the ball from one PA to the other as they blast it back and
forth. Some Challenge matches aren't much better.
That said, the parent shouldn't be engaging in comments with a player on the field during a match that are opposed to what the ref is doing. It can
contribute to a player developing an attitude with that ref and result problems later in the match. Confine that type of stuff to the discussion on
the ride home.
Classic level game. The ref was the one out of line here not the person on the sidelines. The ref made his call and his word is law on the field and
he had no need to goad a fan. The fan was not even the child's parent though the fan is a certified ref. .
Well said.
A pet peeve of mind. Something that is not tolerated (refs speaking back to fans) in other youth sports. Baseball, specifically where a plate umpre is
just as close to the fans and probably gets more abuse than any AR or CR.
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kestrel
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| posted on 3/25/08 at 10:05 AM |
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Quote:Originally posted by HWPixHend
Quote:Originally posted by a dad
Quote:Originally posted by jm951
Quote:
Saw an interesting one with an interaction between a CR and parents in a U14 game.
What level match? You've mentioned that the CR didn't stray far from the circle. I'll tell you right now, if you try to stay within 15yds of the play
on a typical rec game, you'll run yourself into the ground before halftime as you chase the ball from one PA to the other as they blast it back and
forth. Some Challenge matches aren't much better.
That said, the parent shouldn't be engaging in comments with a player on the field during a match that are opposed to what the ref is doing. It can
contribute to a player developing an attitude with that ref and result problems later in the match. Confine that type of stuff to the discussion on
the ride home.
Classic level game. The ref was the one out of line here not the person on the sidelines. The ref made his call and his word is law on the field and
he had no need to goad a fan. The fan was not even the child's parent though the fan is a certified ref. .
Well said.
A pet peeve of mind. Something that is not tolerated (refs speaking back to fans) in other youth sports. Baseball, specifically where a plate umpre is
just as close to the fans and probably gets more abuse than any AR or CR.
Not quite the same, everyone knows the umpire in baseball is blind and deaf!!! 
[Edited on 3/25/08 by kestrel]
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