Out of control?

[wardtc]

Tough Love - I really do appreciate it.

To your last comment, maybe I am the one who is demonstrating those techniques that should not be copied. OK - well we all started somewhere right. Just think - when I am mentoring new ref's, the stories I will have!

As I think through your advice, it does make sense. If I give instructions at the pre game check in, then I am obligated to follow through and call them. If I instead, just tell them I'm going to call a fair game, they have to look to their coach for guidance. OK - makes sense.

So does the advice on parents. I have always been told to ignore them. In this case, it incited the kids to misbehave. Since it is a bad situation to just ignore it, and I have no real control over the parents, the coach is the only one who can help. If he chooses not to - the team suffers.

All right, time to screw my head on straight and do it right. I've got a U13B center this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. The good news is I've got two lines this weekend too, and some good ref's (better than me) to watch.

Changing subjects real quick. What is your opinion on this play? I was working the line (parents side of course). The attacker is on a break away. Enters the penalty area dribbling the ball. The keeper rushes to meet him, collects the ball, and his momentum takes out the attacker, literally just knocks him off his feet. The center ref calls a trip on the keeper and sets up a penalty kick. The defending team parents go beserk, claiming it is the keepers box, and there should not have been a foul called. From my perspective it looked like the keeper was playing the ball, but his momentum did cause the attacker to go down.

Thanks for all your help. It is this kind of community that keeps me coming back week after week.