Hello Everyone:

I just wanted to send you a quick note because I want to clear up any misconception that you might have regarding the way I operate when you might want to turn back an assignment for one reason or another.  I really am willing to help you out if you normally honor your refereeing commitments, give me as much advance notice as you reasonably can and have a good reason.

YOUR COMMITMENT

When you accept a game that any assignor has assigned to you, you’ve made a commitment to do that game, period, even if something better comes along in the meantime.  Under the USSF policy, you’re bound to do that game unless a game that’s higher in the USSF priority list is assigned to you.  In Oregon, with one exception, all amateur games are at the same priority level, from U-8 to men’s premier.  The only exception is the Salem Surge, because it plays in an “national adult league”.  High school, college and indoor games aren’t USSF games and thus aren’t of a higher priority either.What this means is that under the USSF rules you don’t have the right to turn back assignments, except on rare occasions.  You’ve made a contract with the league, association or whatever which you need to honor unless you can get permission to be relieved of your obligation.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Obviously, when something comes up , and you want to cancel an assignment, I'd like as much advance notice as possible.  That is the professional and also the courteous way to deal with such matters.  If you know you're going to have a conflict with a game, please let me know when you become aware of it.  This will allow me the needed time to assign someone else to the match.Sometimes, there might be an occasion in which you might not be able to offer me a great deal of notice.  However, if you have a good reason, I'll accept your request much better than if you give me a poor reason or no reason at all.And by the way, some of you apparently believe that you need to come up with a replacement.  That’s just not true.  I don’t believe in referees assigning themselves, as you can tell from my website.  On the other hand, if you happen to know someone who is available to take over your game and in your opinion is able to handle the game you want off of, please let me know, especially if you’re doing this within a few days of kick off.  I’ll make the final decision, but if you can save me some time, it’ll be greatly appreciated.

A GOOD REASON

There are lots of good reasons why someone might ask to be relieved of his or her assignment to games, even on short notice.  If you get hurt or sick or have a family emergency, all that I ask is that you email or call me right away.  If your car breaks down on the way to the game, try to call me on my cell phone. I realize that many of you referee high school, college, youth, indoor and other adult league games, and that you might be given the chance to referee a great league or playoff or exhibition match on short notice.  I want you to accept these assignments.  They are great opportunities for you to improve your abilities.  All that I ask is that you simply let me know that this is your reason (if indeed it is). A not-so-good reason is if you finally realize that you’re double booked and you had committed to another assignor first.  That shouldn’t happen, but we all screw up sometimes.  Just let me know right away. So the bottom line is, no matter what your reason for turning back an assignment, please let me know what it is.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GAME

Remember the name of my website – To Serve the Game.  If a game is scheduled, two teams who have paid a lot of money will show up to play a game.  If there’s no referee, or one is thrown in at the last minute who’s not ready for that game, it hurts the game and it hurts the players.  The managers will then complain to league officers who then will come to me.  That’s why I sometimes get cranky when a referee has a problem with an assignment but waits until the night before to let me know, or worse just doesn’t show up for the game.  I get paid either way, but I really feel for the players who got screwed.  Remember, I work for and get paid by GPSD and NUWS, not the referees.

CLEARING THE AIR

I hope that this has helped clarify the situation.  I'm well aware that things come up and I hope you know that I understand that.  But when you want to turn back an assignment, please provide me with proper advance notice and a brief explanation.  Thanks for your cooperation.  And if you have any questions, feel free to call me.

Regards,
Eric 
503.667.5586 (home)

503.705.3151 (cell)

Attention All Referees:

The  winter indoor season is now underway and we have a number of issues to deal with. 

1) Availability - If you provide an availability for any given day, make sure you do so for all the facilities where you're willing to work. That will increase your opportunities for receiving assignments.

2) When I assign you to a block of games, you must accept all of the games or you'll have to turn back the assignments. Only in very rare circumstances will I consider amending the schedule to accommodate you.

3) UNIFORMS - Referees distinguish themselves by the uniform they wear. You must wear a referee shirt with the badge I've provided you. Red, yellow, and blue cards are part of your uniform as well and you are expected to use them as needed. If you're cold, where an extra layer or two under your referee shirt. You can also wear black warm-ups if you'd prefer not to wear shorts. Black or mostly black shoes and referee socks are also part of the uniform. And you can also wear a black knit cap and/or black gloves if you find you're still chilly If you cannot wear a proper uniform and I find out, you will no longer receive assignments.

4) Punctuality - Games are to be started on time. It is your job to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before your shift begins, encourage the teams to get on the field, collect player cards, and collect the referee fee. Shortening the game is not an option. However, if it is game time and the teams are not responding to your whistle to get on the field, simply let them know that the clock will start in 30 seconds...and then start the clock in 30 seconds. This will motivate them to get going.

5) Once you have accepted your assignments, if changes are made afterwards the computer will send you an email telling you that changes have been made, if you choose to NOT read your e-mails then you will suffer the consequences.

Referees using  SportZing

All referees, including assistant referees, who referee games for the Greater Portland Soccer District (GPSD) need to fill out your game reports on SportZing as in the past, this will ensure that your game records are complete – and that you get PAID for your games, as payroll is done using the reports submitted to SportZing.

Referees who do a center on a GPSD game must also go to their site at www.gpsdsoccer.com and fill out a report there, to do this you must register as a referee on the GPSD web site. When you are approved you will have access to their game reports form.

All questions or concerns about the GPSD web site need to go to Terry Christopher,  he can be reached at www.gpsdcard.com  Cel Phone #(503) 312-3505

  I did a game and didn’t receive a check, what happened?

One of the most difficult things for beginning referees (and for any referee, for that matter) is learning how to handle criticism and angry players, and just how much of it to “take.”

There are always going to be players who disagree with a call you make, or don’t make. Sometimes, they’ll voice a quick opinion, or vent for a moment, and you should be able to handle an objection, even if it’s strenuously made, even if it might include a bit of profanity, as long as it’s brief. However, there are some players who will continue to yell/scream/object with you, and will continue to berate you. You should not let these players continue to harp at you. It’s your responsibility to yourself, the other players, and the playing environment of the game to stop these actions and objections from continuing.

In most cases, a simple, quick, and direct statement like (“That’s enough”; “I don’t want to hear any more from you”; “We’re done”, etc), or use body language that make it clear that you’re not inviting a conversation because at this point you’re beyond that, As soon as you’re done, try to move physically away from the player and make it very clear that he/she is not to follow this should be sufficient to take care of the situation. Don’t make your statement a threat to the player; i.e. “If you don’t shut up, I’m going to card you”, because now you’re issuing a challenge. Most players are experienced enough (and sane enough human beings) that they’ll get the picture, and get back to playing.

That being said, there are some who still lack the maturity to restrain themselves, or else they’ll blow up immediately and go WAY over the line with regard to how they conduct themselves. Be proactive here, and issue those players an administrative blue card. When you do so, don’t confront the player, don’t say anything to them (such as “I warned you if....:”), and keep your composure so that you don’t appear to be vindictive. Blow your whistle, and calmly show the player the blue card from a reasonable distance, not in the player’s face. Be businesslike, but at the same time almost nonchalant, so that the air you silently and non-verbally reflect to the other players is that of “You know, I don’t want to do this, but he/she wouldn’t drop it, and left me no other choice.” Don’t let your face show anger toward the player, but that of resignation that someone was immature enough to cause the awarding of the blue card to happen.

Be sure to remind the carded player’s teammates that the administrative blue is a full two-minute penalty for the player in question, once a goal is scored the power play is over, but the player who was carded cannot return until the full two minutes has passed. Peer pressure can be a wonderful ally for you in this situation. You’ll be surprised how often the out-of-control player’s teammates can’t stand his or her behavior either, and will support your actions. They don’t want out-of-control people” spoiling their playing experience, either. One blue card should take care of the player who can’t control himself--but be prepared to take further action if needed, and most of all, keep your cool.

In an attempt to help you to understand why you might or might not get as many games as you would like, I have provided you with the six criteria that I use to make these weekly decisions.

1) Ability–– Are you capable of handling a match at a given level? Your experience will quite often be a key factor here.

2) Availability–– I give priority for weekday shifts to those people who are available on weekends.

3) Reliability–– What is your track record? Are you always on time? Do you ever forget to show up? If I cannot count on you then don’t expect too many assignments.

4) Loyalty–– I understand that most referees work various leagues throughout the year, but if indoor is a low priority for you, then you will be a lower priority to me.

5) Acceptability- How both the players and facility management perceive your ability must be a consideration here. Do you have a good rapport with the players? Are you aware that each facility’s management, for any of a number of reasons, has asked me not to schedule certain referees? This makes it more difficult to give you games as a result.

6) Seniority- How long have you been refereeing Indoor, certain referees have been doing games in certain facilities for many years, experience goes a long way.

The bottom line is this –– there are many factors that go into assigning games each week. I suggest you think about why you might not be getting the number of assignments you might like before bothering me with your complaints. The answer probably lays somewhere in those six factors listed above.