SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums SCHSSCA Officiating Evaluations???

After discussing this with a respected soccer official (and soccer parent) this past weekend at the Carolina Soccer Classic, we discussed the need for an "Officials Evaluation" that would be completed after each match and submitted to the HSL or other designated soccer body.

What are your opinions on this topic as well as some parameters that would have to be established to make this system fair and equitable?

This would be a great idea if used properly. I think it would finally give coaches a voice and hold officials to a certain stantdard. This would also allow officials to be rated, and the deserving officials can be rewarded by getting the play-off and state championship matches. They also could create an Official of the Year award. I think that the idea of not just an evaluation, but also some sort of rating criteria would be healthy for everyone involved. The big question is can we get them to do it? All other sports use a rating system to determine the top officials in their particular sport. I would love to hear other opinions. Great post!

I agree that this would be a good idea. Hate to put any more paperwork requirements on the coaches, but it seems as if this would be worth it if they had a simple enough form. I did call the High School League a time or two last year to compliment what I thought were particulary good refs, but I didn't take the time to do this as often as I should have. Also, there were times when I would have liked to complain about poor reffing, but I didn't want to get into that. Having a system where coaches could easily report positives and negatives would be good.

Would it help if SCSOCCER.COM had an online submission form for evaluating officials?

All forms submitted would then be sent to the High School League.

Another great idea! I don't know if anyone at the highschool league wants to see the evaluations, but it would be another great benefit to high school soccer that you are providing. Thanks for what you do.
Brad Nickles

As a parent/fan/former player, I feel that the evaluation idea is long overdue. I hate to put it this way, but much of the officiating is to put it mildly "horrendous". Also there are too many inconsistancies within games.

After attending the tournament in Mt. Pleasant this past weekend you just came away with a bad taste in your mouth. You would have parents, players, and coaches upset and complaining about the officiating. If would not be for only one side in a game, but it went both ways. Unfortunately, this will continue on throughout the upcoming season, and then the playoffs. This issue needs to be addressed. Yes, there are those officials out there working hard, and doing a fine job. But there too are those who really struggle in officating prep games, and should be held accountable for their actions. The coaches and players are...........

As you can tell this is a post that is near and dear to my heart. I don't want to be a ref basher because there are some refs that are good and can be professional. My biggest complaint is that they do not over all know the game of soccer. Unlike other sports there is in the by laws the "Spirit of the Game" that means purely judgement calls. That is not the proplem. The problems arises when the refs have not played the game at the level they are refing. If it were cut and dry rules like Holding in Football or off-sides in footbal then the problem would not be so obvious. There are going to be different views on rules that is part of the human factor in sports. It sure would be nice if there was some sort of recourse coaches could take. It seems to me that there is this idea of us and them ( coaches and Ref's) and that we are at war against each other. If both sets are going to be professional in their jobs and truely support the game of soccer there has to be some accountability for them. I had two kids punished this weekend ( carded) because the guy was mad at me. They have way to much impact on the game and unfortunately it is mostly negative. If they are held accountable then I honestly think there could be a positive change. One final thought and I will get off the soap box and shut-up. Officials seem to have this brotherhood where they will not call each other out. If you don't want to be classified as poor let someone know when you are working with a ref that is incompetent. If he/she can't get the job done let the assigner know. This includes just being clueless to the all to often problem of not being fit enough to keep up with the speed of the game. Thanks and sorry for being so long.

I have received a HSL basketball and football officials rating sheet from my AD and maybe we could take some elements from this form and apply it to the regular season. Also, this is only done at the completion of their respective seasons, should we follow the same guidelines or simply submit after each match? All opinions are welcome and will be considered.

I feel that there should be an evaluation form for both ref's and coaches. I also feel that it should be harder for an official to become a high school official. Maybe require USSF certification? As a parent, I see a lot of ref's hold grudges against players and coaches. As a ref, I see a lot of coaches and players hold grudges against ref's. The mighty double edge sword. I do agree that we do need to hold ref's to a certain standard. We must also hold the players and coaches to this same standard. (Just think- soccer used to be a "gentelman's" sport, played with one ref in a chair just like tennis. Where have those days gone? ha ha)

On-line evalution forms to be filled out by both the winning and the losing coach and not just the home team would be great. Then have a form for the ref and both AR's to fill out on the coaches and players.

Follow the KISS (keep it simple) principle for the form and we may be able to raise the level of officiating in SC; however, if the form is adopted it could lead to more problems. If coaches are truly concerned about officiating, then follow my lead AND BECOME ONE!

My suggestion would be evaluate 5 areas:
1. Professionalism (arriving on time, etc.)
2. Positioning (during game and at time of fouls)
3. Rules Quotient (how well do they know the rules of the game and enforce them)
4. Offsides calls
5. Cautions (warnings, yellow, red)

Rate refs on a 1-5 scale, add the points up for a score, and use the best for the playoffs (along with a financial bonus:-))