"I’m not a Puritan by any stretch of the imagination, but my daughter is continually amazed at the amount of profanity that she says is used on the field. She says that today's game ranked pretty high in the language department as well. I also know that our girls probably aren't completely innocent either. I know coaches can’t always hear what’s going on, but they also can’t be completely in the dark about it, especially when players are carded for the issue."
I didn't see this match, but I watched a lot of others, including three games that I had the pleasure of officiating.
JohnnyB, unfortunately with the 2-man system there is no official in the middle to hear most of the potty-mouths. If the coaches can't hear it, and the fans/parents can't always hear it....how do you expect the officials to hear it when they are often further away. Simply go to a 3-man system and the ref in the middle is responsible for monitoring the language, etc.
ROH, no excuse for that garbage. As you pointed out, even in a 2-man system, there is at least one referee right in (or along) the penalty area. Anything along the goal line involving the keeper should be spotted and properly addressed.
cht, right on regarding officiating girls soccer. I am not a big fan of "we're going to let the girls play". I like to set the tone from the start. I tell the captains and coaches prior to the coin toss that I'm not going to tolerate any crap. If you are not playing the ball, it's a foul. If you come from behind, through a player, to get the ball, it's a foul. Significant contact (even shoulder-to-shoulder) with NO chance of winning the ball.....foul. Set the tone early and the girls will play soccer and the parents and coaches don't have to worry about anything getting out of hand.
