Now, I did not get to see any games recently, nor have I refereed in any games in a couple of months. But here is what I hate....why do so many different leagues have so many different rules. High school, college, usysa, us club soccer, academies, various tournaments....it is really ridiculous that there are such a variety of rules for the same game. I have had the issues when I show up to a tournament that the people that are running the tournament give you a sheet of paper 10 minutes before the start of you first games and tell you those are the rules for the games that weekend. Get realistic....do you really think that is a good idea? maybe they should let us know a week to a couple of days in advance so that we can familiarize ourselves with the expected rules. I would expect the tournament organizers to do their job and get the information out early to help everyone.
As for referees that are lazy about positioning, it depends on what it is. I can understand referees being out of position if there is only one referee doing a game, but you should attempt to do as good of a job as you can. But get realistic, one referee per game is not a good setup, and it only leads to missed calls. I loved it when I had to do the ODP region camp, had their "playoff" games on a full sized field, and I was the only referee on the field. I know that I missed some calls, but at least at that level they understood that I couldn't be everywhere at once. As a referee you better be out there doing the best job that you can. I can also say that I have not given 100% on the last day in every game if I know I have a U-18 boys final that I am the center referee in....there are times that you put forth as much effort as the teams on the field deserve....I am sure that that comment will tick a few people off, but it is just the way it is. If I am bored during a game, the game is choppy and sloppy, I am probably not going to do as good of a job.
