Wednesday 25 June 2014
Sunday 18 May 2014
New horizons beckon
I haven't posted since October partly because I received some advice on running the blog and partly because I got busy.
I got busy refereeing open age football, refereeing junior football, assessing promotion candidates, assessing Supply league referees (and assistants), arranging fixtures, appointing referees, tutoring new referees, appraising referee tutors and coming to a tough decision.
Since October I've refereed with my body constantly protesting. It protested through sore joints, erratic heart rates and sleepless nights caused by number or and two on this list. I therefore decided after being appointed to a County Final (U16 4th Official) and local Sunday League Final (referee), that I would hang up my whistle.
14 years and 4 days after I passed my Referee's exam, I blew the final whistle on my final game which was a final. This morning I have helped with the organisation of the last of our four District FA Finals and there is one (title deciding) league game to be played.
From there I will become more involved in the administration of local football AND I have a trip to an international tournament planned as a coach to two other referees. ¡Vamos a la Madrid Sur Cup!
Sunday 13 October 2013
Be the referee you want to be
A lot of what happens on a field during a game falls under the heading of player management. It might be the communication of why you've given a particular decision or it might be the conversation you have with a player and his captain at the obvious rebuke stage of the stepped approach or it might be as simple as the checking off of a substitutes name as he joins the game.
Player management is no excuse for shirking your responsibility to apply law, especially for mandatory offences like failing to respect the required distance but it is your key to earning higher club marks. This means that if the assessors are picking up on things that don't seem to be completely correct in your games, then the love from clubs might save your season.
Player management is a skill which can be practised so that you know exactly what you're going to say and do when events happen in your game. If you don't believe you already do it, think about the decisions you have to "sell" to players, such as the big "cutting the grass" sweep with both arms to deny a claim for a penalty kick?
Player management also requires confidence. Confidence to respond with the right words but also with the correct tone of voice and matching body posture. I have seen referees get the words and tone right but their body language was screaming the opposite, giving the players a mixed message which was enough for them to more vehemently challenge the decisions.
So how do you develop this confidence? Well some fortunate few are born with an innate sense of infallibility which leads them to automatically match their vocal message with their posture and nothing will shake them. They are indeed the fortunate few. I was asked recently about how I cope with the constant questioning of decisions and challenges to my perceived authority on the field. I had to admit that I adopted the strategy of "smoke and mirrors".
I try to look so confident, display facial expressions which range somewhere between indifference and incredulity when a decision was challenged, that no one took the challenge beyond the first question. I also introduced the often disarming admittance that I had gotten a decision wrong from time to time. This unnerves players as I remember when I was first introduced to refereeing I refused to countenance the thought that I was wrong. Now I hold my hands up and explain (briefly) what I've seen and players generally accept it.
So how does this make you the referee you want to be? Those at the top of the game in this country wear a mask of confidence, look nonplussed when a challenge is made to a decision and often can sway a player with their presence or posture. So how can you work that into your game.
Firstly, recognise that you may fool some of the people all of the time, fool all of the people some of the time but you will never fool all 22 players, plus subs, plus club officials, plus spectators for the whole of 90 minutes plus added time!
Secondly, begin by reflecting on times when your decisions have been challenged,. Replay the encounters in your mind and you'll find out the one or two things which might have made you more convincing in that scenario. It might have been your proximity to play, your speed to the scene, tone of whistle or as simple as the strength of your arm signal.
Thirdly, write down every single situation that may occur during one of your games. Record even the most unlikely (spectators stopping the ball from running into the car park by sticking a leg into play and trapping the ball anyone?). Once you've written them down, consider what action you would want to take, if you were the referee you've always wanted to be. Give a few minutes to thinking about what you want to do, what you want to say and to whom you want to say it. Have a thought about their possible response and think about your own next steps.
Fourthly, in your next game, once one of those situations crops up, try out your practised management and after the game reflect on the success of your chosen strategy. If it didn't go to plan, what could you try next time?
So to summarise, accept you have weaknesses, identify when they are exposed, develop strategies to deal with those weaknesses and reflect on the success (or otherwise) of your strategies adapting if necessary. Failing all else, smile a lot, it also unnerves players if they think you are enjoying the game more than them.
Player management is no excuse for shirking your responsibility to apply law, especially for mandatory offences like failing to respect the required distance but it is your key to earning higher club marks. This means that if the assessors are picking up on things that don't seem to be completely correct in your games, then the love from clubs might save your season.
Player management is a skill which can be practised so that you know exactly what you're going to say and do when events happen in your game. If you don't believe you already do it, think about the decisions you have to "sell" to players, such as the big "cutting the grass" sweep with both arms to deny a claim for a penalty kick?
Player management also requires confidence. Confidence to respond with the right words but also with the correct tone of voice and matching body posture. I have seen referees get the words and tone right but their body language was screaming the opposite, giving the players a mixed message which was enough for them to more vehemently challenge the decisions.
So how do you develop this confidence? Well some fortunate few are born with an innate sense of infallibility which leads them to automatically match their vocal message with their posture and nothing will shake them. They are indeed the fortunate few. I was asked recently about how I cope with the constant questioning of decisions and challenges to my perceived authority on the field. I had to admit that I adopted the strategy of "smoke and mirrors".
I try to look so confident, display facial expressions which range somewhere between indifference and incredulity when a decision was challenged, that no one took the challenge beyond the first question. I also introduced the often disarming admittance that I had gotten a decision wrong from time to time. This unnerves players as I remember when I was first introduced to refereeing I refused to countenance the thought that I was wrong. Now I hold my hands up and explain (briefly) what I've seen and players generally accept it.
So how does this make you the referee you want to be? Those at the top of the game in this country wear a mask of confidence, look nonplussed when a challenge is made to a decision and often can sway a player with their presence or posture. So how can you work that into your game.
Firstly, recognise that you may fool some of the people all of the time, fool all of the people some of the time but you will never fool all 22 players, plus subs, plus club officials, plus spectators for the whole of 90 minutes plus added time!
Secondly, begin by reflecting on times when your decisions have been challenged,. Replay the encounters in your mind and you'll find out the one or two things which might have made you more convincing in that scenario. It might have been your proximity to play, your speed to the scene, tone of whistle or as simple as the strength of your arm signal.
Thirdly, write down every single situation that may occur during one of your games. Record even the most unlikely (spectators stopping the ball from running into the car park by sticking a leg into play and trapping the ball anyone?). Once you've written them down, consider what action you would want to take, if you were the referee you've always wanted to be. Give a few minutes to thinking about what you want to do, what you want to say and to whom you want to say it. Have a thought about their possible response and think about your own next steps.
Fourthly, in your next game, once one of those situations crops up, try out your practised management and after the game reflect on the success of your chosen strategy. If it didn't go to plan, what could you try next time?
So to summarise, accept you have weaknesses, identify when they are exposed, develop strategies to deal with those weaknesses and reflect on the success (or otherwise) of your strategies adapting if necessary. Failing all else, smile a lot, it also unnerves players if they think you are enjoying the game more than them.
Monday 7 October 2013
New, smaller and more friendly
The first weekend in the months of October to March in my part of the world see County competitions taking place across the full age range.
Last season I received the honour of a semi-final appointment for the Junior Shield which involved two 11 a side teams playing on a full sized field. Roll on the advance of the Youth Review and the County FA have adopted the 9v9 (with offside) format for this year's competition. Having already put in a couple of two game Sundays, I was virtually obliged to accept the appointment to a First Round game in a neighbouring town to accompany my open age Sunday Trophy game in the same town.
The first match of the day was very competitive for around 60 minutes as the two teams battled against the long grass, bright sunshine with honest endeavour and I was only required to step in a couple of times to settle disputes. The away team were leading 3-1 after 12 minutes in a whirlwind start but the home team drew level just before half time and romped away by 4 clear goals by full time. At the end, the home club secretary praised me for my no-nonsense approach and said he hoped to see me later in the competition (unlikely).
I made my way across the town to enjoy my first experience of 9v9 football. The game was taking place on a newly laid field which was purpose built next to a community centre in the centre of a new housing development. The turf was so new, the joins could still be seen and the sand on which it was layed was peaking out between the joins.
The game itself was fairly competitive but again the home team won by 4 clear goals. What was refreshing was the attitude of the parents towards the players that I had to speak to about their behaviour. They were supportive and offered mainly constructive advice as the game proceeded. At the end, two parents made a point of coming to tell me how much they had enjoyed my refereeing. They wished that all the referees they saw were so willing to talk to the players and to be proactive with any hint of conflict. I was just happy the game was over even though I found 9v9 much more friendly than 11v11.
I had started the day with the tiredness from being on my feet for much of the previous day at a friend's wedding. As designated driver I had "enjoyed" around 4 pints of blackcurrant cordial and soda water washed down with 2 pints of iced water. I was also developing a head cold which has kicked in with full force today.
The final matter was the words of the cardiologist who examined me on the day before these games. He advised me not to allow my heart rate to creep into the 90-100% of maximum range and to avoid alcohol until he has conducted further tests. Part two of his instructions were easier to follow than part one and I must admit that my heart rate spent just under 10 1/2 minutes in the "naughty" zone. I survived though and will live to referee another day even though my knees are feeling the after effects of the hard dry ground yesterday afternoon.
Last season I received the honour of a semi-final appointment for the Junior Shield which involved two 11 a side teams playing on a full sized field. Roll on the advance of the Youth Review and the County FA have adopted the 9v9 (with offside) format for this year's competition. Having already put in a couple of two game Sundays, I was virtually obliged to accept the appointment to a First Round game in a neighbouring town to accompany my open age Sunday Trophy game in the same town.
The first match of the day was very competitive for around 60 minutes as the two teams battled against the long grass, bright sunshine with honest endeavour and I was only required to step in a couple of times to settle disputes. The away team were leading 3-1 after 12 minutes in a whirlwind start but the home team drew level just before half time and romped away by 4 clear goals by full time. At the end, the home club secretary praised me for my no-nonsense approach and said he hoped to see me later in the competition (unlikely).
I made my way across the town to enjoy my first experience of 9v9 football. The game was taking place on a newly laid field which was purpose built next to a community centre in the centre of a new housing development. The turf was so new, the joins could still be seen and the sand on which it was layed was peaking out between the joins.
The game itself was fairly competitive but again the home team won by 4 clear goals. What was refreshing was the attitude of the parents towards the players that I had to speak to about their behaviour. They were supportive and offered mainly constructive advice as the game proceeded. At the end, two parents made a point of coming to tell me how much they had enjoyed my refereeing. They wished that all the referees they saw were so willing to talk to the players and to be proactive with any hint of conflict. I was just happy the game was over even though I found 9v9 much more friendly than 11v11.
I had started the day with the tiredness from being on my feet for much of the previous day at a friend's wedding. As designated driver I had "enjoyed" around 4 pints of blackcurrant cordial and soda water washed down with 2 pints of iced water. I was also developing a head cold which has kicked in with full force today.
The final matter was the words of the cardiologist who examined me on the day before these games. He advised me not to allow my heart rate to creep into the 90-100% of maximum range and to avoid alcohol until he has conducted further tests. Part two of his instructions were easier to follow than part one and I must admit that my heart rate spent just under 10 1/2 minutes in the "naughty" zone. I survived though and will live to referee another day even though my knees are feeling the after effects of the hard dry ground yesterday afternoon.
Monday 30 September 2013
Be a magpie but make use of what you "steal"
They say it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks but I have to disagree as this old dog tried a new trick this weekend and it worked a treat.
I confess that I am a thief, a magpie if you like, of other people's valuable ideas and after considering them, I often drag them into my professional and refereeing life, getting good use out of them. I do not take credit for the advice of others who have taken the time to pass their advice to me and always acknowledge the source. Most of the time, I'm so busy storing up these other ideas that I forget who mentioned it originally, but I always mention it came to me from "a friend".
On Saturday I assessed a referee and one of the things I noticed was when he had a free kick outside the penalty area. He dutifully paced out the 9.15m (10 yards) and ensured the defensive wall was respecting the required distance. When doing this, they were standing on the line which marked the edge of the penalty area. Before this season started, "a friend" told me he had been advised that in this situation, always make sure the wall is either 1m inside or 1m outside the penalty area.
The reasoning was that if a defending player in the wall moved his hand to block the ball, the offence would clearly be a free kick (wall outside the penalty area) or a penalty kick (wall inside the penalty area). It also aided the management of the wall by making a point of showing them they were inside the penalty area and the risk they took if they moved their arm/hand into the path of the ball when it was kicked towards them. I imparted this advice to the referee who agreed it was a good piece of advice and he would consider using that in his next game.
On Sunday, I went through this process with the players, getting the defensive wall inside the area by 1m, telling them to keep their hands down. I said that if I saw their hands moving into the path of the ball and it struck their arms/hands, then I would adjudge their actions as deliberate and would award a penalty kick. The players from the home team acknowledged this instruction in the 1st half and then the away team did the same later in the same half. In the 2nd half, the away team won a free kick and the home team lined up just inside the penalty area.
I reminded the players of my instructions from the 1st half and then stepped away before signalling the restart. As the ball was about to be kicked an attacking player who had been in the wall ran towards the ball, leaving a gap in the wall. The ball was played towards this gap and the player on the end of the wall raised his arm and virtually caught the ball. I immediately blew my whistle and pointed to the penalty mark. The only protest came from the offending player who said he was protecting his face.
His team mates just shrugged their shoulders and made their way out of the penalty area. I then had a comment that the ball was going in the goal and that the offender should be sent off. I had to admit that I hadn't followed the flight of the ball, but in my opinion, the ball appeared to be heading over the crossbar and this was accepted.
So my advice to you (and this one is my own advice, not from a "friend") is always keep your eyes and ears open for little tips and tricks in someone else's game. You may be able to adopt the idea yourself or at least give it a try in one of your games and who knows, it might come off as mine did yesterday. Don't be surprised if some of them don't work for you, even magpies pick up stuff they find is useless to them from time to time but then again, even silver foil from chewing gum can be used to build a nest. On that note, I'm out of here ... too many shiny things attracting my eye!
I confess that I am a thief, a magpie if you like, of other people's valuable ideas and after considering them, I often drag them into my professional and refereeing life, getting good use out of them. I do not take credit for the advice of others who have taken the time to pass their advice to me and always acknowledge the source. Most of the time, I'm so busy storing up these other ideas that I forget who mentioned it originally, but I always mention it came to me from "a friend".
On Saturday I assessed a referee and one of the things I noticed was when he had a free kick outside the penalty area. He dutifully paced out the 9.15m (10 yards) and ensured the defensive wall was respecting the required distance. When doing this, they were standing on the line which marked the edge of the penalty area. Before this season started, "a friend" told me he had been advised that in this situation, always make sure the wall is either 1m inside or 1m outside the penalty area.
The reasoning was that if a defending player in the wall moved his hand to block the ball, the offence would clearly be a free kick (wall outside the penalty area) or a penalty kick (wall inside the penalty area). It also aided the management of the wall by making a point of showing them they were inside the penalty area and the risk they took if they moved their arm/hand into the path of the ball when it was kicked towards them. I imparted this advice to the referee who agreed it was a good piece of advice and he would consider using that in his next game.
On Sunday, I went through this process with the players, getting the defensive wall inside the area by 1m, telling them to keep their hands down. I said that if I saw their hands moving into the path of the ball and it struck their arms/hands, then I would adjudge their actions as deliberate and would award a penalty kick. The players from the home team acknowledged this instruction in the 1st half and then the away team did the same later in the same half. In the 2nd half, the away team won a free kick and the home team lined up just inside the penalty area.
I reminded the players of my instructions from the 1st half and then stepped away before signalling the restart. As the ball was about to be kicked an attacking player who had been in the wall ran towards the ball, leaving a gap in the wall. The ball was played towards this gap and the player on the end of the wall raised his arm and virtually caught the ball. I immediately blew my whistle and pointed to the penalty mark. The only protest came from the offending player who said he was protecting his face.
His team mates just shrugged their shoulders and made their way out of the penalty area. I then had a comment that the ball was going in the goal and that the offender should be sent off. I had to admit that I hadn't followed the flight of the ball, but in my opinion, the ball appeared to be heading over the crossbar and this was accepted.
So my advice to you (and this one is my own advice, not from a "friend") is always keep your eyes and ears open for little tips and tricks in someone else's game. You may be able to adopt the idea yourself or at least give it a try in one of your games and who knows, it might come off as mine did yesterday. Don't be surprised if some of them don't work for you, even magpies pick up stuff they find is useless to them from time to time but then again, even silver foil from chewing gum can be used to build a nest. On that note, I'm out of here ... too many shiny things attracting my eye!
Sunday 22 September 2013
Much better
Having eased myself through last week's emergency outing in a Sunday League game and a planned junior game in the afternoon, I stepped out this morning with a little more confidence about my return to match fitness. The unexpected calf injury 6 weeks ago spoilt my early season run outs but today I felt stronger and as a result put in two decent performances.
The first was a bottom division Sunday League game between two teams new to the league. The home team's Secretary used to regularly feature in the County FA's disciplinary list and the away team started their season with having two players sent off in the first round of games of the new season. Despite the warm weather, tempers did not become frayed, players competed fairly and I managed to get around the field pretty well. I found myself keeping close to play or at least in line with it as the game progressed. It was a high scoring affair with the away team squeezing out a 6-4 victory. One caution, lots of handshakes and a smattering of suntan from the bright sunshine throughout the game.
The second was a bottom division (in their age group) junior league game between two teams in the closest city to home. The game was taking place across the park from where I spent my early 20's turning out for the local rugby league team before injury curtailed my career. The coaches were very cordial, the players competitive but fair and the supporters well behaved apart from one or two comments about offside decisions. I set myself a target for the second half of this game to run further and work harder than I had in the first half. I managed it but not by much (around 200m and 25 calories). I still achieved it and with no game next week because of work commitments, I can rest up now until training on Wednesday week. My next games are both on County Cup duty in Huddersfield in 2 weeks - can't wait!
I do have to report that despite doing a full warmdown after each game, I have just had a major attack of cramp in my left hamstring - ouch! I'm ok though, dancing around the conservatory cursing seems as effective at clearing cramp as it did 5 years ago when I used to suffer from it a lot!!!
The first was a bottom division Sunday League game between two teams new to the league. The home team's Secretary used to regularly feature in the County FA's disciplinary list and the away team started their season with having two players sent off in the first round of games of the new season. Despite the warm weather, tempers did not become frayed, players competed fairly and I managed to get around the field pretty well. I found myself keeping close to play or at least in line with it as the game progressed. It was a high scoring affair with the away team squeezing out a 6-4 victory. One caution, lots of handshakes and a smattering of suntan from the bright sunshine throughout the game.
The second was a bottom division (in their age group) junior league game between two teams in the closest city to home. The game was taking place across the park from where I spent my early 20's turning out for the local rugby league team before injury curtailed my career. The coaches were very cordial, the players competitive but fair and the supporters well behaved apart from one or two comments about offside decisions. I set myself a target for the second half of this game to run further and work harder than I had in the first half. I managed it but not by much (around 200m and 25 calories). I still achieved it and with no game next week because of work commitments, I can rest up now until training on Wednesday week. My next games are both on County Cup duty in Huddersfield in 2 weeks - can't wait!
I do have to report that despite doing a full warmdown after each game, I have just had a major attack of cramp in my left hamstring - ouch! I'm ok though, dancing around the conservatory cursing seems as effective at clearing cramp as it did 5 years ago when I used to suffer from it a lot!!!
Sunday 15 September 2013
Honest John
Flicking through the articles on a news website I found one that claimed in today's world we actually prefer people lying to us rather than tell the truth.
It made me think about something that had been said to me on a few occasions over the last 3 weeks or so. It was "Thanks for being honest". A simple statement but the manner in which it was said spoke volumes about the hidden message behind the words.
Speaking of honesty, it was interesting to see that a high profile player in the English Premier League was cautioned yesterday for obvious simulation. To compound matters he was berated by his manager (at least publicly) after the game.
Back to my three scenarios ... The first came after a de-brief during which I had to deliver a hefty dose of realistic developmental feedback. The "honesty" comment appeared genuine at the time and I thought nothing of it until I was notified that my "honesty" in the match report had been appealed by the referee. Nothing had been added in that wasn't in the de-brief so it was a little disappointing.
The second time came through an email after I had sent a report to an Assistant. He has aspirations for promotion and I've never seen him referee before but he did ok on this game with a couple of development points. Unfortunately they fell into a couple of areas where the mark was heavily weighted and that impacted on his mark. I therefore feel his thanks for my honesty were tinged with more than a modicum of disappointment.
The third time I was thanked came via a DM on Twitter. A referee asked me for my thoughts on a scenario based on my experience. I gave him some feedback and it appeared he had been through the experience personally coming out the other side not completely unscathed. My honesty on this occasion was not about his refereeing but my own style and on this occasion I felt his comment was genuine. He even went as far as saying honesty was a good trait.
I'm not good at telling lies (don't like to either - Catholic guilt!) and I'm not concerned too much at people taking umbrage for my honesty. I am concerned that my honesty crosses the line and I'm construed as being "brutally honest", that would not be a good thing as it suggests a lack of empathy.
Oh well, hopefully I won't upset too many. The player who was cautioned for simulation later won a penalty kick for his team when he fell after being lightly barged by a defender. The defender was dismissed for DOGSO. I'm not sure the penalty would have been awarded were it not for the earlier caution. Just my honest opinion.
Sunday 1 September 2013
Was it worth it?
10 weeks of my summer were spent running up hill and down dale in an effort to get ready for today's kick-off only for my best laid plans to go awry in the last 3 weeks as I picked up a calf strain.
I kept losing weight because of my change in diet and starting a new job but my training was on hold. I've managed to lose 26lbs (11.8kg) since the beginning of June. So it was with some trepidation that I stepped out on my opening 11 a side game of the season. I had some nagging doubts as I felt a bit of tiredness in it yesterday when I was working with a group of new referees on their Basic Course. As things turned out I had good reason to be wary as I managed to tweak the calf again in the warm-up and walked for most of the first half. In the second I managed what I thought was a few short jogs but in fact I travelled 4.4km and burned off more than 750 calories.
I enjoyed the game and despite a few mistakes I felt ok about the game afterwards (own biggest critic!). The reports have been done and sent in to the County FA. It's 3 weeks to my next game because of other commitments (football related) so hopefully the calf recovery will continue.
I kept losing weight because of my change in diet and starting a new job but my training was on hold. I've managed to lose 26lbs (11.8kg) since the beginning of June. So it was with some trepidation that I stepped out on my opening 11 a side game of the season. I had some nagging doubts as I felt a bit of tiredness in it yesterday when I was working with a group of new referees on their Basic Course. As things turned out I had good reason to be wary as I managed to tweak the calf again in the warm-up and walked for most of the first half. In the second I managed what I thought was a few short jogs but in fact I travelled 4.4km and burned off more than 750 calories.
I enjoyed the game and despite a few mistakes I felt ok about the game afterwards (own biggest critic!). The reports have been done and sent in to the County FA. It's 3 weeks to my next game because of other commitments (football related) so hopefully the calf recovery will continue.
Thursday 29 August 2013
Countdown to chaos
At the weekend I read about a local council who had not prepared all of the fields due to be used by local Sunday Leagues for the opening games of their season.
Looking back one year my local Sunday League was in the same position. That was nothing to do with the annual switch from cricket to football seen on many council owned fields which is the bane of their lives for many fixture secretaries. For all of the political rhetoric about the creation of a sporting legacy in the wake of the London Olympics, local councils in many areas do not appear to have the necessary funding to organise themselves for the start of the football season. It's not as if the date varies that much from year to year. Many Sunday Leagues kick off in the last two weeks of August and run, weather permitting, to mid May.
Even worse is that some who have the available land on which to develop facilities to avoid the cricket/football share, choose not to do so. Too frequently playing fields are sold off as building land. The proceeds provide a much needed boost to local and central government coffers meanwhile the media decry the lack of home grown talent available to the national team manager.
So what's the answer? I found out when I recently visited a new club at the weekend. It's not in fashionable town, it is just off a major motorway, yet this complex appears to have been grown quietly and the local community are rightly proud. A new clubhouse sits at the centre of the site which houses (from my wander around), a rugby field, a football field, a cricket field, 5 a side/hockey courts and extensive parking.
It benefits from a chairman who is a local businessman with a willingness to invest his own funds and a supporter base who are passionate about their sport. I overheard a typical remark just after kick-off which made me smile. One supporter turned to another and said,"So this is about six levels before the Football League, is it? .... That's nowt that...". it typified the early season confidence of a supporter whose team are doing well.
The team were subject to a smash and grab act by a more experienced team at their level on Saturday. Until then it had been three wins from three. Looking at their line up, it won't take much more work to begin that string of wins again.
Now why can't my local council and others follow the lead given by this club and involve more local businessmen? As usual though, the fuss will all be forgotten by 12:15 on Sunday when the first round of Sunday League games have been completed, the first cautions issued and (unfortunately) players dismissed. Then we crash through league games, league/district/county cup games at a rapid pace.
Hopefully, teams will stick through to the end of the season, unlike last year when 2 gave up by Christmas. Such actions and team success in cups make for a difficult life for a league fixture secretary. It's one of the reasons I'm retiring at the end of the season.
Let the chaos begin ...
Sunday 25 August 2013
Pre-season training
I didn't bother too much with pre-season training last year and across the course of the season my weight shot up. Combined with the inactivity brought on by a period out of work, I touched just over 18St (115kg).
I decided to start training on June 3 and while I found it tough, I persevered ... until August 12 that is ... just 3 days before my 50th birthday when I picked up a calf injury. It's responding well to rest and I managed a few minutes jogging on Friday without too much of a reaction.
I used to spend time publishing the records of my training from screen prints of my heart rate monitor records. I can now link straight to them and this was one of my more recent sessions.
My weight is down now and yesterday I tipped the scales at 16st5lbs (104kg) but I want to get to 15st (95kg) by Christmas. I am on course, but I have to wait for this injury to clear up before I can start work again.
I decided to start training on June 3 and while I found it tough, I persevered ... until August 12 that is ... just 3 days before my 50th birthday when I picked up a calf injury. It's responding well to rest and I managed a few minutes jogging on Friday without too much of a reaction.
I used to spend time publishing the records of my training from screen prints of my heart rate monitor records. I can now link straight to them and this was one of my more recent sessions.
My weight is down now and yesterday I tipped the scales at 16st5lbs (104kg) but I want to get to 15st (95kg) by Christmas. I am on course, but I have to wait for this injury to clear up before I can start work again.
Rain stopped play
Don't worry I've not fallen for the dubious delights of the game where you can play for five days and not have a winner (cricket).
Yesterday at Charlton the referee abandoned the game at half time when he decided the field was waterlogged. Although I've only seen the brief highlights provided on the BBC's Football League Show, there is no doubt the decision was the correct one. When we talk on the Basic Course about conducting a field of play inspection we make reference to very wet fields.
Back in October the referee of the Poland vs England World Cup qualifier was seen going back to basics to test out the surface before postponing the game. Yesterday's referee probably went through the same process but as the rain continued to fall, it became evident that the field was deteriorating rapidly and was becoming unsafe.
The sequence of events which probably clinched it for him was when the ball appeared to stick in the water resulting in a poorly timed challenge that led to the issue of a caution. It was the player's second caution in the game and he was dismissed. For the game to continue much longer would have risked a serious injury through another mistimed challenge.
Yesterday at Charlton the referee abandoned the game at half time when he decided the field was waterlogged. Although I've only seen the brief highlights provided on the BBC's Football League Show, there is no doubt the decision was the correct one. When we talk on the Basic Course about conducting a field of play inspection we make reference to very wet fields.
Back in October the referee of the Poland vs England World Cup qualifier was seen going back to basics to test out the surface before postponing the game. Yesterday's referee probably went through the same process but as the rain continued to fall, it became evident that the field was deteriorating rapidly and was becoming unsafe.
The sequence of events which probably clinched it for him was when the ball appeared to stick in the water resulting in a poorly timed challenge that led to the issue of a caution. It was the player's second caution in the game and he was dismissed. For the game to continue much longer would have risked a serious injury through another mistimed challenge.
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