SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer Playoff Refereeing

I have seen a lot of criticism of refereeing in the playoffs. I think some of the responsibility also rests on the referee assignors. It is my personal opinion that the pool of referees needs to be cut down for each round of the playoffs.

For instance, if the Charleston area has 100 elegible referees, then that pool should be cut to 75 for the first round of the playoffs. Then to 50 and so on.... also, I think that referees and linesman should get a small bonus for each round of the playoffs that they ref in.

My thinking is this.... referees are selected to be in the playoff pool based on regular season performance. However, since refereeing is one of the most thankless jobs, the incentive would be higher pay. So, after the regular season, you cut the field. Then after the first round, you cut a few more.... it is a lot like what we as coaches do-- a playoff roster.

I would also be in favor of having a 4th referee in the Upper and Lower State Finals and the State Champinoship game. I would also be in favor of a "Referee of the Year" Award for each assignor's area and a "State Referee of the Year" both with a cash bonus to accompany the recognition.

Crappy referees should have some reason to improve their refereeing. Perhaps the honor of being in the playoff pool and the chance at the "Referee of the Year" award would convince some of them. There will always be some who think they are perfect and do not think they need to improve. However, the stigma they would develop in the refereeing community of NEVER being on the Playoff Roster would provide enough incentive to either make them improve enough or force them out.

VOR,

Have you asked the Charleston area assignor how assigning is done for the playoffs? Where will this extra money be coming from? Is AMHS willing to pay extra?

If your plan works for crappy refs, do you have a plan for crappy fans and crappy coaches? Or is South Carolina high school soccer still going to have to suffer with those 2 crappy elements of the sport?

The extra money can come from the schools that are playing. The " Crappy Refs would not get to work a play- off game unless they became a better ref. In other sports the SCHSL leauge Assigns the ref for all the play-off games. This is something I think should be looked at for soccer. Then the refs would only be picked who are worthey and they get extra money for travel so that would be taken care of. Of course untill the HSL comes up with a way to give each ref a grade during the year.....then it will not get any better. How many ref crews meet after the game and discuss each and every foul and card issued? Do they all fill out a game report and submit it. Does Mr. Lake and Mr. Cook take nights off to watch refs and evaluate them and meet with them after? How many games has Mr. Hazel watched this year? Untill soocer coaches demand more it will not change. As for the fans this is the USA. Coaches are paid to coach, how many are paid to attend classes? GIG you can help become a ref or a youth coach, that is how you solve it. I am a Varsity coach at a 4a school and I still ref. That is how you make a diffrence.

GetInTheGame-

I am not going to speak towad fans and coaches.

As for referees... I know here in Charleston, our assignor sticks to his typical routine even for the playoffs. He waits until the morning of the game and then he sends the game requests out to referees. Then, whoever signs up for the game, gets it.

Just think about the top teams in your area playing in the playoffs... and then think that ANY referee in your area would be elegible to ref that game as long as he is the first to reply to the e-mail!!! Meanwhile, your top referees may be at the snack machine and not able to reply before three of the worst referees in your area respond.

As for pay... I think coaches would be willing to spend a little extra to get better refs. Ask any coach that question.

I would be willing to put forth more soccer budget money to ensure referees like Howard Ash, Fred Hughes and Darren Sweet would be refing our playoff games. These guys are definitely three of the best referees in the Charleston area!! Also, I would put these guys up for the "Referee of the Year" award in the State. They are consistent, fair and apply the rules accordingly-- everything we as coaches want out of referees... why should we not reward quality referees??

Refereeing high school soccer has got to be the worst part time job in the world. Only a love of the game would cause someone to put themselves up for that much abuse.

Still, there has to be some kind of rating system to identify those refs who succeed best at it. Would you coaches be willing to fill out an evaluation form after each game? Average the two teams sheets for some kind of numeric rating. Highest rated refs each year get to work playoffs with some extra money as a kicker. Just athought.

VOR,

then come up to the Columbia area, where I know that the better quality refs are the ones who work the playoff matches. Mr. Cook does know who
the better refs are and assigns them.

And why not speak towards fans and caoches. Not so much coaches, but there are at least 2 who need to realize what is happeneing. And I know this is the USA, so most of the time the expert fans can say about anything they want to as loud as they can. Sometimes think there needs to be stands emptied. Keep all the fans out and away and then see how bad is the reffing.

VOR... my only comment is that many are not able to keep up with play. I am talking about ARs as well

GITG:
Your animosity toward fans and coaches leaves me to believe that you are a referee yourself. The fact that you are a referee yourself makes your opinion in this matter irrelevant.

I will never want to coach in the Columbia area b/c the Cola area routinely uses the 2-man system. I know the Charleston system is not perfect, but it is better than the 2-man system that Columbia believes in. So, once Columbia decides to use the 3-man system in important games, then you can debate me. Until then, you need to stay out of my opinion.

Officiating tonight at SV/RV was pretty good.

Definitely controlled the game.. perhaps a bit too much at times..but with it being a pretty intense rivalry..it was probably wise to be cautious.

Overall quality HS officals.

I thought the 3 refs that did the Lex / NW game tonight did a good job as well. That game could have easily gotten out of hand, but the ref made consistant calls, let them play for the most part, and called fouls when they were obvious both ways. This is in complete contrast to the 3 refs that did the girls Lex / FM game last night. They were a joke...