The recent weather has played havoc with fixtures and at this time of the year this means the honour appointments, which many of us have worked hard to earn, have been displaced within the calendar.
So the begging, stealing and borrowing done to be able to take the game on, whether this is at home or at work (to ensure you can stay on the game) starts all over again. Personally I have benefited from a postponement meaning I have picked up a 4th Official on the Sunday League Cup Final.
The referee on the Trophy Final was also due to be on a County Final, so when this was postponed and the new date coincided with our Trophy Final, he had to give backword on our game. This meant the Senior Assistant stepped up to Referee and the 4th Official to Assistant Referee. I was asked to take over as 4th Official on that game but it coincided with my wife's birthday, so the Cup Final 4th Official switched to the Trophy Final and I picked up his role. So roll on May 17th.
I also nearly had to step in as an Assistant Referee on the District Cup Final on Thursday night. The 4th Official picked up a late injury and I was asked to go on standby in case one of the Assistants incurred an injury. As things transpired, the Assistants were both fine (even in Extra Time) but the Referee was held up in traffic after a major accident on the M1. For a few minutes (and it was just a few) I was looking at being on the line ... but the Referee arrived and did a good job of looking after a challenging final.
Last Sunday we also had to adapt as the wet weather meant we couldn't take the candidates outside. The rain and wind would have broken their concentration and devalued any learning they might acquire while we did the outdoor sessions. So we did a whole day inside and they did really well despite the limitations. When we do Day 2 on May 13, we will be outside for around 5 hours, so I'm expecting to have a lot of fun, especially on the mass confrontation practice!
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Monday, 23 April 2012
Looks good, feels good
One of the attributes of a good referee, according to spectators and players is "to let the game flow" a statement which ignores the referee's responsibility to enforce the laws but also gives the referee scope to employ the advantage clause.
There is rarely an opportunity for the referee to take pleasure from his decision making in a game, after all there's no joy in awarding a corner kick or indicating the direction of a throw-in or despite what some coaches think, taking disciplinary action. There is however a really satisfying feeling from seeing an offence, identifying that it has occurred, but recognising that there is an opportunity for the team offended against to continue their attack and if things go really well, scoring a goal while the shout of "Play on - advantage" is still ringing around the field/ground/stadium and the referee still has his arms stuck out in front of him.
In those situations where a goal is scored, little needs to be said to the offender as his own team will probably have words with him, the scoring team thinks you are the best thing since sliced bread and you will probably get at least one player who thanks you. Before we get excited about being the most popular referee in the world (until your next disputed throw-in on the halfway line), it is important that we break this situation down into a number of areas ... and it's not the usual ball, players, infringement, action considerations I've referred to in previous posts but they are close.
The first factor to consider is the seriousness of the offence. I would never ever consider playing advantage if I am considering sending the offender off UNLESS, the player in possession or his team mate has a very, very obvious goal scoring opportunity. Even if I am considering cautioning for the offence, the opportunity to progress has to be good.
The second factor I consider is the tempo of the game. Everyone loves a good old fashioned "blood and thunder" cup game where the tackles are hard but fair and the players are making genuine attempts to play the ball. In these games, the opportunity to play advantage may arise and will be welcomed by the players. In a game where the players are tetchy and it's already been necessary to issue a couple of cautions for reckless tackles, then the chances of my playing advantage are reduced.
These two factors are considered against the possible effect on my match control. If I play advantage on an offence where a caution may be issued or the tempo is high, then there's always a possibility that the player offended against may decide to mete out his own punishment and take revenge before I can go back and talk to the offender. Also, even though I can rattle the windows of nearby houses when I shout, "Play on - advantage", there will always be at least one player who will complain that I haven't given the free kick and again may decide to seek revenge on his team mate's behalf.
The third factor I will consider is the field position where the offence takes place. I work on the basis of a set of traffic lights. In the defensive third, the opportunities available to the player/team offended against are limited because they are so far from the goal they are attacking and they may have many more defending players to negotiate, so the light is red. At the red light, it's time to stop and award the free kick.
In the middle third of the field, although the team offended against are now a lot closer to goal, they still have some distance to travel and again probably a few defenders still to beat, so the light is amber. The problem with an amber light is that there is a temptation to try to beat the lights and as a result, play advantage when it's not really there. This can result in having to bring the game back, which can sometimes look untidy but by telling the players there was no advantage coming, their responses can be managed more effectively.
In the attacking third of the field, the proximity to goal and the reduced number of defenders means the light is green, well greener than it was if the offence had taken place in the defensive third. So we're almost on to the final factor ...
It's all very well, shouting and waving the arms in the approved manner but if the player in possession of the ball (and it might not necessarily be the player offended against) is being closed down by a player from the offending team, then the advantage isn't there. Another consideration is the skill level of the player and that can be influenced by their age and indicated by their previous demonstrations of skill in the game.
So a younger (junior) player might expect the free kick rather than having the referee shouting and waving his arms. If the player has already gone on a number of mazy runs, leaving opposing players trailing in his wake or has scored a hat trick, then he might appreciate the opportunity to use these skills rather than have to start again from a free kick.
The final factor I consider is the time elapsed in the game. I tend to keep the game tight for the first 10 minutes, so unless it is a really good opportunity, I am giving the free kick and not trying to win players over by displaying my ability to keep the game moving in that time. I need that time to assess how the players are behaving and whether I'm likely to need to keep a tight rein on things or let them ease off.
So to summarise, in a split second, I look at
My season on the green stuff was temporarily resurrected yesterday as I filled in for an injured colleague who had been appointed as a 4th official to the local Sunday League Cup semi final. The game passed off without any major events and the only downside was getting soaked as the heavens opened in the 2nd half.
The weather has also put paid to my Supply League assessment tonight as heavy rain meant the field was waterlogged. I still have Wenesday's Supply assessment to look forward to and a junior cup final to watch on Thursday. At this point, I have a rare Saturday off before starting a new Basic Course on Sunday with 20 or more new referees beginning their refereeing careers. Hope we have fun (and dry weather).
The first factor to consider is the seriousness of the offence. I would never ever consider playing advantage if I am considering sending the offender off UNLESS, the player in possession or his team mate has a very, very obvious goal scoring opportunity. Even if I am considering cautioning for the offence, the opportunity to progress has to be good.
The second factor I consider is the tempo of the game. Everyone loves a good old fashioned "blood and thunder" cup game where the tackles are hard but fair and the players are making genuine attempts to play the ball. In these games, the opportunity to play advantage may arise and will be welcomed by the players. In a game where the players are tetchy and it's already been necessary to issue a couple of cautions for reckless tackles, then the chances of my playing advantage are reduced.
These two factors are considered against the possible effect on my match control. If I play advantage on an offence where a caution may be issued or the tempo is high, then there's always a possibility that the player offended against may decide to mete out his own punishment and take revenge before I can go back and talk to the offender. Also, even though I can rattle the windows of nearby houses when I shout, "Play on - advantage", there will always be at least one player who will complain that I haven't given the free kick and again may decide to seek revenge on his team mate's behalf.
The third factor I will consider is the field position where the offence takes place. I work on the basis of a set of traffic lights. In the defensive third, the opportunities available to the player/team offended against are limited because they are so far from the goal they are attacking and they may have many more defending players to negotiate, so the light is red. At the red light, it's time to stop and award the free kick.
In the middle third of the field, although the team offended against are now a lot closer to goal, they still have some distance to travel and again probably a few defenders still to beat, so the light is amber. The problem with an amber light is that there is a temptation to try to beat the lights and as a result, play advantage when it's not really there. This can result in having to bring the game back, which can sometimes look untidy but by telling the players there was no advantage coming, their responses can be managed more effectively.
In the attacking third of the field, the proximity to goal and the reduced number of defenders means the light is green, well greener than it was if the offence had taken place in the defensive third. So we're almost on to the final factor ...
It's all very well, shouting and waving the arms in the approved manner but if the player in possession of the ball (and it might not necessarily be the player offended against) is being closed down by a player from the offending team, then the advantage isn't there. Another consideration is the skill level of the player and that can be influenced by their age and indicated by their previous demonstrations of skill in the game.
So a younger (junior) player might expect the free kick rather than having the referee shouting and waving his arms. If the player has already gone on a number of mazy runs, leaving opposing players trailing in his wake or has scored a hat trick, then he might appreciate the opportunity to use these skills rather than have to start again from a free kick.
The final factor I consider is the time elapsed in the game. I tend to keep the game tight for the first 10 minutes, so unless it is a really good opportunity, I am giving the free kick and not trying to win players over by displaying my ability to keep the game moving in that time. I need that time to assess how the players are behaving and whether I'm likely to need to keep a tight rein on things or let them ease off.
So to summarise, in a split second, I look at
- the seriousness of the offence
- the tempo of the game
- the field position
- the skill factor
- the time elapsed
My season on the green stuff was temporarily resurrected yesterday as I filled in for an injured colleague who had been appointed as a 4th official to the local Sunday League Cup semi final. The game passed off without any major events and the only downside was getting soaked as the heavens opened in the 2nd half.
The weather has also put paid to my Supply League assessment tonight as heavy rain meant the field was waterlogged. I still have Wenesday's Supply assessment to look forward to and a junior cup final to watch on Thursday. At this point, I have a rare Saturday off before starting a new Basic Course on Sunday with 20 or more new referees beginning their refereeing careers. Hope we have fun (and dry weather).
Sunday, 6 December 2009
And then the water came over the top of my foot ...
With all but 4 of the Sunday league's games declared off as a result of local authority intervention, I had one of the last remaining games subject to referee discretion.
Overnight rain made me think that the field of play inspection was a foregone conclusion and as I pulled up at the field, I had little hope of refereeing my second game this weekend. I noted that the field was elevated (maybe the rain had drained away) and with a slight slope (maybe, just maybe?). I parked the car and walked along the path and began the walk up the hill. The surface was soft with water squelching up under my trainers but it seemed relatively firm.
I entered the field of play at the halfway line and noted that the water was showing in the surface (not good). I walked across the field, heading towards the penalty area where I had spotted a dark patch. I saw the surface water from 10 yards and knew, with a heavy heart, that there was little prospect of play on this field today.
I hoped that we might get rid of it with a fork and decided to walk around the other parts of the field. I saw another dark patch and more surface water. I turned upfield towards the centre circle and there was more water and then on to the penalty area at the opposite end of the field.
There was another dark patch, but no surface water and as I walked towards it, the sun broke through temporarily blinding me. As I reached it, I stepped across the patch but my trainer lost grip and I stepped in it and that's when the water came over the top of my foot. I had found a deep puddle lapping around my trainer.
It was at least 4 inches deep and there was no prospect of clearing it out. The game was off, so I made my way back to the pub from where the team operated and delivered the bad news. I noticed, as I walked into the bar area, that a garden fork, undoubtedly ready to fork the surface water away, was propped against the table which still contained the remnants of last night's karaoke.
I collected my half fee and travelling expenses before heading home. I spent my time clearing out clutter from the conservatory and my daughter's bedroom before making three trips to the local tip, buying a Christmas tree and having said daughter (and boyfriend she now lives with) around for dinner. Much more peaceful than another 90 minutes of abuse like yesterday. I could get used to this ...
Overnight rain made me think that the field of play inspection was a foregone conclusion and as I pulled up at the field, I had little hope of refereeing my second game this weekend. I noted that the field was elevated (maybe the rain had drained away) and with a slight slope (maybe, just maybe?). I parked the car and walked along the path and began the walk up the hill. The surface was soft with water squelching up under my trainers but it seemed relatively firm.
I entered the field of play at the halfway line and noted that the water was showing in the surface (not good). I walked across the field, heading towards the penalty area where I had spotted a dark patch. I saw the surface water from 10 yards and knew, with a heavy heart, that there was little prospect of play on this field today.
I hoped that we might get rid of it with a fork and decided to walk around the other parts of the field. I saw another dark patch and more surface water. I turned upfield towards the centre circle and there was more water and then on to the penalty area at the opposite end of the field.
There was another dark patch, but no surface water and as I walked towards it, the sun broke through temporarily blinding me. As I reached it, I stepped across the patch but my trainer lost grip and I stepped in it and that's when the water came over the top of my foot. I had found a deep puddle lapping around my trainer.
It was at least 4 inches deep and there was no prospect of clearing it out. The game was off, so I made my way back to the pub from where the team operated and delivered the bad news. I noticed, as I walked into the bar area, that a garden fork, undoubtedly ready to fork the surface water away, was propped against the table which still contained the remnants of last night's karaoke.
I collected my half fee and travelling expenses before heading home. I spent my time clearing out clutter from the conservatory and my daughter's bedroom before making three trips to the local tip, buying a Christmas tree and having said daughter (and boyfriend she now lives with) around for dinner. Much more peaceful than another 90 minutes of abuse like yesterday. I could get used to this ...
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Game 24 - back to the middle
I swapped voicemails and texts with the Appointments Secretary of my local Sunday League on Friday and found myself in charge of this morning's game on the ground closest to my home.
With the heavy rain experienced over the last couple of weeks I had asked all referees to get to their games early and conduct field of play inspections to ensure games were called on/off as early as possible. I arrived at my ground 45 minutes before kick off to find the changing rooms locked, neither team in sight and the feisty but lovable local council employee snarling at every one who even suggested their game was on.
I borrowed a ball and took a walk out out over my field (one of 5 at this venue). The ball was running well over the ground, bouncing as expected and I had nothing to say the game shouldn't be played. I went out 20 minutes later to do my warm up and had Umar turn up and take the mickey out of me. He had also called his game on and was getting ready as well.
Now it's been a long time since I had a game packed with such a variety of incidents and I certainly won't forget this one for a while. When I am instructing, at the end of each course, every candidate has to pass a written examination and I'm sure I experienced almost a dozen quirky situations in today's game that might have had some new referees scratching their heads. I certainly had to fire up a few brain cells that have lain unused for a long, long time.
So to the game ... the captain and goalkeeper of the away team was of less than average height but it didn't show in the opening 20 minutes as he repelled everything thrown at his goal and kept his team in the game. Unfortunately his team let him down and at an early corner, having warned a couple of players for scuffling before the ball was played, a defender decided to use his shoulder to push an attacker right in my line of sight.
I took up a new position at the taking of the kick from the mark. I had noted that the PGMO officials had lined up on the edge of the penalty are rather than in line with the ball, so I did the same. This nailed any encroachment immediately - result! The goalkeeper pulled off an amazing save but the home team soon exploited his lack of inches by firing a couple of high lobs towards his goal from distance (+30 yards at least) and they went 2-0 up after 26 minutes.
I then had a busy period of play. The first incident was the away goalkeeper picking up the ball when it had been deliberately kicked to him by a defender. He claimed that it had been in the act of tackling an opponent but to be honest, there was no one within 4 yards of the defender. When I awarded the indirect free kick, I got some protests, but none were serious. My next issue was the decision by one of the defenders to try and charge down the free kick and he picked up the first caution of the game.
The home team scored a third goal and were coasting. In between all this going on I had noted the away team calling for offside on every (and I mean EVERY) through ball. I told them with a loud shout that I wasn't going to give an offside just on their shout and they soon stopped. It seemed like a tactic they employed and when I spotted they were rotating making claims for others things as well, I had a firm word with an outfield player and the captain and strangely enough, the bogus claims stopped dead.
This didn't stop the players getting confused though and soon afterwards, two of the away team, challenging for the ball managed to knock each other to the ground, with one being severely winded. I made sure he was ok and play was restarted with a throw in to the home team. They were very sporting and threw the ball to the away team goalkeeper/captain.
The next incident really tested my patience. The ball was played in from the right and the home team's captain dived towards the ball. He obviously punched the ball into the goal and wheeled away celebrating. I blew my whistle and was reaching for my book to caution the offender when one of the most vociferous (and the player winded that I mentioned earlier) defenders ran into my face and demanded I send off the offender.
Now I didn't take kindly to this and I told him I was going to take action (against the attacker), but his spittle flecked face continued screaming at me before he ran off to the half way line. After I had cautioned the offending player and spoken to the away team captain about his player's behaviour, I called the screaming man back to me from his (hiding) place on the halfway line. I told him his actions were unacceptable and cautioned him as well.
The home team added a fourth goal on the stroke of half time to make it 4-0. The away team manager noted his team's two cautions and decided to play safe by replacing both players at half time. Early in the second half I ruled out a 5th goal for the home team because of offside. One of the home team's substitutes scored a goal on his debut and the away goalkeeper continued to perform miracles. Despite his efforts he conceded 3 goals in the second half to make it 7-0.
Personally I felt ok throughout the game and I took it as a measure of how things had gone when all three cautioned players took time out to speak at length with me about their offences. None challenged their cautions, just asked for an explanation which they accepted. I burned 1569 calories with a max hr of 94% and an average of 79%, so not too shabby. My next game is on a postage stamp of a field but it's also one which holds a lot of water, so I might have a day off on Saturday
With the heavy rain experienced over the last couple of weeks I had asked all referees to get to their games early and conduct field of play inspections to ensure games were called on/off as early as possible. I arrived at my ground 45 minutes before kick off to find the changing rooms locked, neither team in sight and the feisty but lovable local council employee snarling at every one who even suggested their game was on.
I borrowed a ball and took a walk out out over my field (one of 5 at this venue). The ball was running well over the ground, bouncing as expected and I had nothing to say the game shouldn't be played. I went out 20 minutes later to do my warm up and had Umar turn up and take the mickey out of me. He had also called his game on and was getting ready as well.
Now it's been a long time since I had a game packed with such a variety of incidents and I certainly won't forget this one for a while. When I am instructing, at the end of each course, every candidate has to pass a written examination and I'm sure I experienced almost a dozen quirky situations in today's game that might have had some new referees scratching their heads. I certainly had to fire up a few brain cells that have lain unused for a long, long time.
So to the game ... the captain and goalkeeper of the away team was of less than average height but it didn't show in the opening 20 minutes as he repelled everything thrown at his goal and kept his team in the game. Unfortunately his team let him down and at an early corner, having warned a couple of players for scuffling before the ball was played, a defender decided to use his shoulder to push an attacker right in my line of sight.
I took up a new position at the taking of the kick from the mark. I had noted that the PGMO officials had lined up on the edge of the penalty are rather than in line with the ball, so I did the same. This nailed any encroachment immediately - result! The goalkeeper pulled off an amazing save but the home team soon exploited his lack of inches by firing a couple of high lobs towards his goal from distance (+30 yards at least) and they went 2-0 up after 26 minutes.
I then had a busy period of play. The first incident was the away goalkeeper picking up the ball when it had been deliberately kicked to him by a defender. He claimed that it had been in the act of tackling an opponent but to be honest, there was no one within 4 yards of the defender. When I awarded the indirect free kick, I got some protests, but none were serious. My next issue was the decision by one of the defenders to try and charge down the free kick and he picked up the first caution of the game.
The home team scored a third goal and were coasting. In between all this going on I had noted the away team calling for offside on every (and I mean EVERY) through ball. I told them with a loud shout that I wasn't going to give an offside just on their shout and they soon stopped. It seemed like a tactic they employed and when I spotted they were rotating making claims for others things as well, I had a firm word with an outfield player and the captain and strangely enough, the bogus claims stopped dead.
This didn't stop the players getting confused though and soon afterwards, two of the away team, challenging for the ball managed to knock each other to the ground, with one being severely winded. I made sure he was ok and play was restarted with a throw in to the home team. They were very sporting and threw the ball to the away team goalkeeper/captain.
The next incident really tested my patience. The ball was played in from the right and the home team's captain dived towards the ball. He obviously punched the ball into the goal and wheeled away celebrating. I blew my whistle and was reaching for my book to caution the offender when one of the most vociferous (and the player winded that I mentioned earlier) defenders ran into my face and demanded I send off the offender.
Now I didn't take kindly to this and I told him I was going to take action (against the attacker), but his spittle flecked face continued screaming at me before he ran off to the half way line. After I had cautioned the offending player and spoken to the away team captain about his player's behaviour, I called the screaming man back to me from his (hiding) place on the halfway line. I told him his actions were unacceptable and cautioned him as well.
The home team added a fourth goal on the stroke of half time to make it 4-0. The away team manager noted his team's two cautions and decided to play safe by replacing both players at half time. Early in the second half I ruled out a 5th goal for the home team because of offside. One of the home team's substitutes scored a goal on his debut and the away goalkeeper continued to perform miracles. Despite his efforts he conceded 3 goals in the second half to make it 7-0.
Personally I felt ok throughout the game and I took it as a measure of how things had gone when all three cautioned players took time out to speak at length with me about their offences. None challenged their cautions, just asked for an explanation which they accepted. I burned 1569 calories with a max hr of 94% and an average of 79%, so not too shabby. My next game is on a postage stamp of a field but it's also one which holds a lot of water, so I might have a day off on Saturday
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
An extra weeks rest
The local council have closed all their fields this weekend following heavy rain, with more forecast. So I lose my District Cup game and my Sunday League Division Three game, but I do get an extra 7 days to continue my recovery.
I had hoped to train at a local gym but they want £7 per session just for half an hour on the treadmill! So I might have to do a little road running to get myself ready for next weekend.
I had hoped to train at a local gym but they want £7 per session just for half an hour on the treadmill! So I might have to do a little road running to get myself ready for next weekend.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Football free
Yesterday was my first football free Saturday that wasn't a closed date as I am still recovering from tweaking my Achilles last Sunday.
Having declared myself injured to my Saturday league, Sunday league, Supply league, District and County FA I offered my help with assessments for our local promotion candidates. I was allocated a game in Huddersfield and set off in time to arrive around 45 minutes before kick off.
The weather overnight and this morning was atrocious with strong winds and driving rain causing travel disruption through flooding. It also led directly to the game being called off by the referee and as I considered heading across the town to watch Fat lad, he phoned to say his game was also off.
I called in at the ground where I picked up my injury last week and found they had been able to play. I watched the referee, who is on his first season on our local Sunday league, for around 20 minutes and then headed home.
This afternoon I took my wife and son to see Disney/Pixar's Up. It was absolutely brilliant!
Having declared myself injured to my Saturday league, Sunday league, Supply league, District and County FA I offered my help with assessments for our local promotion candidates. I was allocated a game in Huddersfield and set off in time to arrive around 45 minutes before kick off.
The weather overnight and this morning was atrocious with strong winds and driving rain causing travel disruption through flooding. It also led directly to the game being called off by the referee and as I considered heading across the town to watch Fat lad, he phoned to say his game was also off.
I called in at the ground where I picked up my injury last week and found they had been able to play. I watched the referee, who is on his first season on our local Sunday league, for around 20 minutes and then headed home.
This afternoon I took my wife and son to see Disney/Pixar's Up. It was absolutely brilliant!
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
A late one ...
A phone call from Fat Lad told me that Wednesday's training was off as we both had a game at the local Unibond ground between their academy side and another youth team.
It seemed easy enough as we got there early, warmed up and apparently I terrified the away team by conducting a jewellery and footwear inspection before they entered the field of play. One player was wearing a music festival wristband, which you will know if you've seen one, consist of a fabric strip with a lead like seal pinched across the ends to stop it slipping off the wrist. He wasn't happy as I explained that it either came off or he wouldn't be allowed to play.
With the formalities completed the game kicked off and the home team took an early lead. The heavens also opened and we got thoroughly drenched. I also noted I had a high number of offside calls to make as did Frosty on the other touchline. Neither team seemed to be able to get the hang of the opposition's offside trap.
The goals rained in, Fat Lad had to speak to one player and even more offsides were adjudged in the second half. I was having a problem as my new boots as I've recently switched from an old pair of Nike Tiempo Naturals II FG (firm ground) to a newer design but I hadn't realised that they were SG (soft ground). The only difference is the configuration of the studs/cleats on the bottom.
This is the FG version
...and this is the new SG style (except the whole of the upper is black apart from a white edging on the black Nike swoosh)
The new boots don't seem to spread my weight as evenly and apart from the sore soles from six studs, they have affected my running style. This meant last night I ended up with sore calves and hamstrings. The game finished soon after my legs went from sore to agony. Fat Lad seemed happy enough and I had lost count of the number of offsides I had flagged for (and ignored). Calories 1337, max hr 90%, average hr 70%.
It seemed easy enough as we got there early, warmed up and apparently I terrified the away team by conducting a jewellery and footwear inspection before they entered the field of play. One player was wearing a music festival wristband, which you will know if you've seen one, consist of a fabric strip with a lead like seal pinched across the ends to stop it slipping off the wrist. He wasn't happy as I explained that it either came off or he wouldn't be allowed to play.
With the formalities completed the game kicked off and the home team took an early lead. The heavens also opened and we got thoroughly drenched. I also noted I had a high number of offside calls to make as did Frosty on the other touchline. Neither team seemed to be able to get the hang of the opposition's offside trap.
The goals rained in, Fat Lad had to speak to one player and even more offsides were adjudged in the second half. I was having a problem as my new boots as I've recently switched from an old pair of Nike Tiempo Naturals II FG (firm ground) to a newer design but I hadn't realised that they were SG (soft ground). The only difference is the configuration of the studs/cleats on the bottom.
This is the FG version
...and this is the new SG style (except the whole of the upper is black apart from a white edging on the black Nike swoosh)
The new boots don't seem to spread my weight as evenly and apart from the sore soles from six studs, they have affected my running style. This meant last night I ended up with sore calves and hamstrings. The game finished soon after my legs went from sore to agony. Fat Lad seemed happy enough and I had lost count of the number of offsides I had flagged for (and ignored). Calories 1337, max hr 90%, average hr 70%.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Training 2.21
Another new friend for training as Jamie joined us for my little variation on the session demonstrated by Ray Olivier when I was on my course last month.
This session also marked the return of Zico after a long break caused by injury. So it was probably best that this was supposed to be a light session. I split one half of the field into 4 sections and each section had an exercise geared towards a little bit of speed and agility.
Jamie partnered Zico and I worked with Paulie who kindly brought some cones to mark out the sections and exercises. I had some improvised cones to hand if needed but I'll keep my 50 paper plates for another day! It was a decent session working off 987 calories, max hr 96%, average 75%. Time to prepare for tomorrow's game (and I've had to put the heating on as it's so chilly)
This session also marked the return of Zico after a long break caused by injury. So it was probably best that this was supposed to be a light session. I split one half of the field into 4 sections and each section had an exercise geared towards a little bit of speed and agility.
Jamie partnered Zico and I worked with Paulie who kindly brought some cones to mark out the sections and exercises. I had some improvised cones to hand if needed but I'll keep my 50 paper plates for another day! It was a decent session working off 987 calories, max hr 96%, average 75%. Time to prepare for tomorrow's game (and I've had to put the heating on as it's so chilly)
Friday, 17 July 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
Training 2.3
It's June but cold, windy and raining ... where else could I be but in good old England!!!
Having sweated blood on Monday because of the heat and wheezed my way through a hay fever blighted session on Wednesday, tonight was the night when I got pneumonia. The rain started lightly in the late afternoon and steadily got heavier. The wind got stronger and the sky got darker. It didn't get any better and when rolling up at training there was only Mr and Mrs Fat Lad waiting for me. Had H given up so easily? Had Zico chosen a snuggly blanket in front of the tv?
Not a chance! They were beaten to training by one of the newest Assistant Referees for next season's Premiership ... Mr Robert Madley aka Chuckle Junior! He had trained hard last night and thought my plans for tonight's session would be a nice little loosener. H and Zico turned up shortly after while Mr and Mrs Fat Lad continued with their own programme. Fat Lad was staying loose for Sunday's fitness test while Mrs Fat Lad (Hi Lynne!) is still getting ready for her Race for Life a week later.
Tonight's session was the one which reduced me to my hands and knees in late June last year. Run one side of the field, jog the other three; run two sides of the field and walk the other two; run three sides, walk the fourth; run all way around and then rest. On the four sides run I couldn't breathe running down the second touchline and stopped for about 15 seconds to get my breath before setting off again.
The rest was only a minute or two then reversed the whole thing, starting with the four sides run; walk one, run three, etc. We finished off with repeating the first set and that, while tough, seemed just a little easier than the first time. It was time for a warm down and some stretches before heading home for a warm bath and some grub!
Calories burned 1152, average hr 81%, max 98% (what a slacker!). Monday's session will be light on bodies as Fat Lad will only be doing a recovery session after his fitness test and Snails, Chris and Titfer (yes he's still around) have all already cried off for one reason or another.
Having sweated blood on Monday because of the heat and wheezed my way through a hay fever blighted session on Wednesday, tonight was the night when I got pneumonia. The rain started lightly in the late afternoon and steadily got heavier. The wind got stronger and the sky got darker. It didn't get any better and when rolling up at training there was only Mr and Mrs Fat Lad waiting for me. Had H given up so easily? Had Zico chosen a snuggly blanket in front of the tv?
Not a chance! They were beaten to training by one of the newest Assistant Referees for next season's Premiership ... Mr Robert Madley aka Chuckle Junior! He had trained hard last night and thought my plans for tonight's session would be a nice little loosener. H and Zico turned up shortly after while Mr and Mrs Fat Lad continued with their own programme. Fat Lad was staying loose for Sunday's fitness test while Mrs Fat Lad (Hi Lynne!) is still getting ready for her Race for Life a week later.
Tonight's session was the one which reduced me to my hands and knees in late June last year. Run one side of the field, jog the other three; run two sides of the field and walk the other two; run three sides, walk the fourth; run all way around and then rest. On the four sides run I couldn't breathe running down the second touchline and stopped for about 15 seconds to get my breath before setting off again.
The rest was only a minute or two then reversed the whole thing, starting with the four sides run; walk one, run three, etc. We finished off with repeating the first set and that, while tough, seemed just a little easier than the first time. It was time for a warm down and some stretches before heading home for a warm bath and some grub!
Calories burned 1152, average hr 81%, max 98% (what a slacker!). Monday's session will be light on bodies as Fat Lad will only be doing a recovery session after his fitness test and Snails, Chris and Titfer (yes he's still around) have all already cried off for one reason or another.
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Game 65
I love games like this one. The home team were relegated midweek and only have pride to play for, meanwhile the away team, if they win all their games will take the league title.
I met the referee Rob at the usual meeting place at Tingley and we tootled up the A1 to our venue. The other Assistant Adam (son of the referee I am assisting next weekend) arrived soon after us and we did our pre-match out on the field. There was no sign of the assessor, but when we came out to warm-up, the heavens opened and we faced driving rain, hailstones, as well as thunder and lightning. Not really an ideal start and when we saw the assessor waving at us from the warmth of his car, we couldn't help but have a giggle.
The game started brightly enough and two early offside calls settled me into the pace of the game. The home team scored with a looping drive after 16 minutes and the tempo went up a few notches. Tackles flew in from each side and Rob did well to keep everything under control. One clash saw a player receive cuts around his eye which bled heavily. He also wiped it on his shirt so had to have a change. The game reached half time and we knew the away team, chasing the league title would come out with a bang.
Things got a little more frantic and the player who had the cuts around his eye was among those collecting a caution. Then as the ball was played forward to his main attacker, this player was fouled on the edge of the opponent's penalty area and it seemed to me that it was DOGSO. Rob ran over to me to confirm it wasn't a penalty kick and ask about the DOGSO, which I confirmed but I hadn't gotten the offending player's number as I was always looking across the field of play.
The free kick was played in but a reckless challenge saw an attacking player (Mr Cut Eye) receive his second caution and he was sent off. The defending team went up the other end and almost immediately scored an equaliser. They doubled their score a few minutes later and finished off the scoring with a penalty kick.
The game went up another notch and again Rob controlled it well. So we finished at 1-3 and the away team continue their march towards the title. I burned off 1482 calories, which is a lot for a line. Average hr was 79% (I think) and the max was 94%.
My knee, which had been aching all week, didn't restrict me too much and felt very good after getting warmed. My useless hamstring was complaining near the end of the game so as a precaution I sat on a bag of ice for around 30 minutes when I got home. It seems to have done the trick as the ache has gone and apart from feeling very tired, I'm beginning to settle into a relaxing evening.
The nerves for tomorrow morning were just starting to bubble up again so I made myself a sandwich - gammon, grated cheese, grated onion and some Nando's peri-peri hot sauce. I may stink at the moment, but my thoughts were taken away from tomorrow for a while. They are starting to creep up again ...
I met the referee Rob at the usual meeting place at Tingley and we tootled up the A1 to our venue. The other Assistant Adam (son of the referee I am assisting next weekend) arrived soon after us and we did our pre-match out on the field. There was no sign of the assessor, but when we came out to warm-up, the heavens opened and we faced driving rain, hailstones, as well as thunder and lightning. Not really an ideal start and when we saw the assessor waving at us from the warmth of his car, we couldn't help but have a giggle.
The game started brightly enough and two early offside calls settled me into the pace of the game. The home team scored with a looping drive after 16 minutes and the tempo went up a few notches. Tackles flew in from each side and Rob did well to keep everything under control. One clash saw a player receive cuts around his eye which bled heavily. He also wiped it on his shirt so had to have a change. The game reached half time and we knew the away team, chasing the league title would come out with a bang.
Things got a little more frantic and the player who had the cuts around his eye was among those collecting a caution. Then as the ball was played forward to his main attacker, this player was fouled on the edge of the opponent's penalty area and it seemed to me that it was DOGSO. Rob ran over to me to confirm it wasn't a penalty kick and ask about the DOGSO, which I confirmed but I hadn't gotten the offending player's number as I was always looking across the field of play.
The free kick was played in but a reckless challenge saw an attacking player (Mr Cut Eye) receive his second caution and he was sent off. The defending team went up the other end and almost immediately scored an equaliser. They doubled their score a few minutes later and finished off the scoring with a penalty kick.
The game went up another notch and again Rob controlled it well. So we finished at 1-3 and the away team continue their march towards the title. I burned off 1482 calories, which is a lot for a line. Average hr was 79% (I think) and the max was 94%.
My knee, which had been aching all week, didn't restrict me too much and felt very good after getting warmed. My useless hamstring was complaining near the end of the game so as a precaution I sat on a bag of ice for around 30 minutes when I got home. It seems to have done the trick as the ache has gone and apart from feeling very tired, I'm beginning to settle into a relaxing evening.
The nerves for tomorrow morning were just starting to bubble up again so I made myself a sandwich - gammon, grated cheese, grated onion and some Nando's peri-peri hot sauce. I may stink at the moment, but my thoughts were taken away from tomorrow for a while. They are starting to creep up again ...
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Off!
Field ruled unplayable by the groundsman so today's run out was called off at 9.15. I then picked up Fat Lad's game after he couldn't make it to his game but Mrs Baldy had a bit of a tantrum having made plans based on my original postponement.
Normally she wouldn't have had the chance but as she had her second work free weekend in a fortnight, she was able to put a block on what could have been a challenging game. So it was back on the phone to CS to say I couldn't help. He wasn't too concerned as he had other referees queueing up for the game - I was just the first one he considered.
So a game free weekend after all and I end up babysitting while Mrs Baldy shops :-(
Normally she wouldn't have had the chance but as she had her second work free weekend in a fortnight, she was able to put a block on what could have been a challenging game. So it was back on the phone to CS to say I couldn't help. He wasn't too concerned as he had other referees queueing up for the game - I was just the first one he considered.
So a game free weekend after all and I end up babysitting while Mrs Baldy shops :-(
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Me and my big mouth
I was on a conference call at work this morning and my mobile rang displaying "Private Number calling" which usually means Fat Lad ringing from one of the offices at his work so I flipped it to Voicemail.
After the conference call finished I picked up the message and found it was the Parks and Open Spaces administrator for the local council advising that all their fields were being closed for the weekend ... bang goes my District Cup semi final line on Sunday afternoon!
Tonight the Secretary for the home club from my Saturday game called to say the game was on - at the moment! By the time it gets to Saturday, he fully expects the groundsman to refuse to let us play. So it's one down and the other teetering on the verge of postponement. At least I have Day One of a Basic Course for New Referees to attend on Sunday
After the conference call finished I picked up the message and found it was the Parks and Open Spaces administrator for the local council advising that all their fields were being closed for the weekend ... bang goes my District Cup semi final line on Sunday afternoon!
Tonight the Secretary for the home club from my Saturday game called to say the game was on - at the moment! By the time it gets to Saturday, he fully expects the groundsman to refuse to let us play. So it's one down and the other teetering on the verge of postponement. At least I have Day One of a Basic Course for New Referees to attend on Sunday
Saturday, 7 February 2009
All quiet on the snowy front
I had a game set for Thursday which was due to take place on the same field as Fat Lad was taking care of a re-arranged cup game on Wednesday. I got a txt on Tuesday telling me it was off and he didn't receive his phone call until later that day. End result snow kills football.
I rang the local council on the off chance that they could give me an early indication of their plans following heavy snowfalls on Monday and more on Tuesday. The nice person on the end of the phone even sent me a copy of their press release by e-mail so I could pop it on the Full-Time website I help maintain on behalf of the Sunday league. The message was simple ... all fields closed.
Around the same time Chuckle Elder got in touch to offer a trip to see Tranmere vs Orient, a game on which he was Assistant. I still had a game on Saturday to look after so explained this but thought that it might be off as well because of the weather. It was in the same area as the game that was postponed on Thursday, so I was fairly confident that I'd have a game free weekend.
I contacted the council who look after the fields in the local town and they confirmed, like my local authority, they had closed all fields. The club secretary was on the phone within a few minutes confirming the same info, so I was free to go watch Chuckle. Mrs Baldy was less than happy at the prospect of my leaving around 10 and getting home around 7.30, so she made me an offer I couldn't refuse ... beer and pizza while watching The Dark Knight on DVD. It might seem that I'm an easy touch but this is the first weekend since July (maybe earlier) when she hasn't been working and I haven't had a game/course.
No lie-in though as my soon to be 4 year old son decided we needed to get up and watch Thomas the Tank Engine. I'll be reminding him of this in 14/15 years when he's been out late and fancies a lie-in. Parents have long memories :-)
I rang the local council on the off chance that they could give me an early indication of their plans following heavy snowfalls on Monday and more on Tuesday. The nice person on the end of the phone even sent me a copy of their press release by e-mail so I could pop it on the Full-Time website I help maintain on behalf of the Sunday league. The message was simple ... all fields closed.
Around the same time Chuckle Elder got in touch to offer a trip to see Tranmere vs Orient, a game on which he was Assistant. I still had a game on Saturday to look after so explained this but thought that it might be off as well because of the weather. It was in the same area as the game that was postponed on Thursday, so I was fairly confident that I'd have a game free weekend.
I contacted the council who look after the fields in the local town and they confirmed, like my local authority, they had closed all fields. The club secretary was on the phone within a few minutes confirming the same info, so I was free to go watch Chuckle. Mrs Baldy was less than happy at the prospect of my leaving around 10 and getting home around 7.30, so she made me an offer I couldn't refuse ... beer and pizza while watching The Dark Knight on DVD. It might seem that I'm an easy touch but this is the first weekend since July (maybe earlier) when she hasn't been working and I haven't had a game/course.
No lie-in though as my soon to be 4 year old son decided we needed to get up and watch Thomas the Tank Engine. I'll be reminding him of this in 14/15 years when he's been out late and fancies a lie-in. Parents have long memories :-)
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Game 45
Perseverance pays off! I had a Sunday League Division One game until Tuesday when the County FA asked me to look after a FA Women's Premier League Reserves game. On Friday I got a call from the home team's secretary who advised that the host club had declared their field unfit.
In their view there was a likelihood that the Ladies game would cut up the field of play and they, the hosts, has their own men's first team game booked for 48 hours later. The potential for damage which may have resulted in the Ladies game was too much, perhaps meaning the men's first team game having to be postponed. I advised the County FA who confirmed that I was released from my commitment and I chased another Sunday League game. I got one in Division Two!
An early departure for me as I'd been tipped off on Saturday that there might be a problem with the home field and a second venue had been pencilled in just in case the usual field was unfit. Unusual action by a Sunday League team but welcome all the same. On arriving I saw why, as a field of play inspection at 9:50 revealed the field was soft all over the park with a very soft area with a small amount of standing water close to the centre circle. In the goal area at the bottom of the hill however there was a puddle a few inches deep and about 1m sq. in area, too much to sweep out and too dangerous to play.
The home team had, as mentioned, already made loose arrangements for another field to be used but these were scuppered by an U14 team, both fields nearby were occupied and a fifth slightly further away was also occupied. They checked out 5 different fields in an attempt to get this game on. Finally at 10:25 we gave up trying to find a field and declared this one off.
So I headed off to watch Fat Lad at a nearby Division One game. When I got there I noticed a junior team getting ready to play a game. I asked the home manager if he needed a referee and he was only too happy for me to help. I was soon greeted by Chewitt's dad. He had a little chuckle and said he would tell Chewitt that I'd been involved in his team's game. After I had changed (only needed my shirt and boots on as I'd changed into the rest at the earlier postponed fixture in the hope that we might have played that one) I jogged back to the field by way of a warm-up. So I did 30 minutes each way of U11 football. I was frozen to my core as an icy wind and horizontal snow bit hard in the second half. It didn't stop the home team from winning comfortably with a 6-1 score.
I only had to speak to one player who I thought had used an offensive word, but on being challenged, he denied it and explained what he had said - we parted on good terms. I burned an embarrassing 598 calories, max hr 77%, average 60% in this game and I couldn't feel my fingers for a full 15 minutes after I got back into the car. Summer football anyone?
In their view there was a likelihood that the Ladies game would cut up the field of play and they, the hosts, has their own men's first team game booked for 48 hours later. The potential for damage which may have resulted in the Ladies game was too much, perhaps meaning the men's first team game having to be postponed. I advised the County FA who confirmed that I was released from my commitment and I chased another Sunday League game. I got one in Division Two!
An early departure for me as I'd been tipped off on Saturday that there might be a problem with the home field and a second venue had been pencilled in just in case the usual field was unfit. Unusual action by a Sunday League team but welcome all the same. On arriving I saw why, as a field of play inspection at 9:50 revealed the field was soft all over the park with a very soft area with a small amount of standing water close to the centre circle. In the goal area at the bottom of the hill however there was a puddle a few inches deep and about 1m sq. in area, too much to sweep out and too dangerous to play.
The home team had, as mentioned, already made loose arrangements for another field to be used but these were scuppered by an U14 team, both fields nearby were occupied and a fifth slightly further away was also occupied. They checked out 5 different fields in an attempt to get this game on. Finally at 10:25 we gave up trying to find a field and declared this one off.
So I headed off to watch Fat Lad at a nearby Division One game. When I got there I noticed a junior team getting ready to play a game. I asked the home manager if he needed a referee and he was only too happy for me to help. I was soon greeted by Chewitt's dad. He had a little chuckle and said he would tell Chewitt that I'd been involved in his team's game. After I had changed (only needed my shirt and boots on as I'd changed into the rest at the earlier postponed fixture in the hope that we might have played that one) I jogged back to the field by way of a warm-up. So I did 30 minutes each way of U11 football. I was frozen to my core as an icy wind and horizontal snow bit hard in the second half. It didn't stop the home team from winning comfortably with a 6-1 score.
I only had to speak to one player who I thought had used an offensive word, but on being challenged, he denied it and explained what he had said - we parted on good terms. I burned an embarrassing 598 calories, max hr 77%, average 60% in this game and I couldn't feel my fingers for a full 15 minutes after I got back into the car. Summer football anyone?
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