[wardtc]

Yep, AR's need to work better on mechanics, and Yep, the best way to do that is to get involved in more and more contests. Sometimes it's easy, other times it's not.

This weekend I worked a tournament with a friend, my daughter, and his son. We rotated three in - one out each game. In one game, I had center, my daughter had the team side. Early in the game, a pass was made to the attacking team 35 yds out from the goal, I looked at my daugther for an offside call - nothing. The attacker scored as the defending team parents were screaming for an offside call. After the goal, I looked again at my daughter - she is sprinting toward the mid field. I run over to her and ask "what did you see?" She told me that the defense was running a trap, and didn't time it very well. I asked her "are you sure". "Yes".

I call a goal, put up with the howls and restart the game. Needless to say, from then on, we cannot get anything right in the eyes of the defending team. The coach is visably mad, but keeps under control. At half our fourth official confirms her account. The defending team looses 5-1. As he signs the game report, he tells me that this was the worst game he's ever seen offiated. I thank him and leave.

The next day I speak to the ref coordinator, tell him to expect a complaint. Sure enough, later, he comes over, and wants to watch a match. At half he explains that the center has to go deeper and wider, and that the AR's need to work on the sub signal better, but other than that we look OK to him. He then tell's my daughter about the realities of vocal coaches, the need to be sure of your calls, and the backup that will come form the center ref, and the tournament coordinator, and then tells both her and my friend's son, that he appreciates the effort they are giving.

Let's keep the youngsters coming back. Teach them, teach them, teach them..... and back them up.