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

I have never said anything on this message board that was critical of referees. In fact, I thought that the referees at the boys Northwestern versus Lexington game were good.

However, at another playoff game I recently watched the referees were atrocious. There wasn't bias; there was just incompetence. On many, many out of bound calls, the referees hesitated, looked at the players or listened to the crowd, waivered, and then made a call based on some multivariate equation that had nothing to do with who actually knocked the ball out of bounds. I've never seen anything quite like it. A player was pushed on the boundary of the box; turned and looked at the referee who told her he'd call it next time. The linemen would often not run up to the play on their side. Those are just minor examples -- there are many, many more. I believe 2-3 players were injured due to the referees inconsistency and inattention in this playoff game.

I've always attributed the relatively poor high school officiating I've seen compared to club (particularly to RIIPL-East) to the two man crews. Clearly, that's not all of it. I've seen more incredibly bad calls in one season of watching a high school team play than I have in 8 years of club play. At least for the high school playoffs, it does seem like a different system of selection is needed. And the ideas noted above seem like great ones for the referees to use to continually improve themselves.

Is it possible to have one or two refs at playoff games from a different area of the state? While it should not occur, surely 1 or 2 of 3 refs could be biased toward their local teams.

I rarely make posts on this board other than to post a score here and there. After the games I have witnessed this season there clearly is a problem with consistency in officiating. You would think that the best officials would be chosen for playoff games too. Think about it, an entire season comes to a screeching halt from a poor call or non call = frustration. I am talking about a whole team , coach, players, that have invested hours of practice to become the best that they can be and be subjected to poor officiating. Where is the accountability for him and his crew. When the game comes down to the wire, for example Emeralds playoff game with SCS.. final few minutes left in the second 10 minute overtime.. game tied ref is standing 5 yards from the box facing the SCS keeper.. ball is shot at the goal bounces off player.. EHS girl has possession of the ball and is pushed down from behind in the box by SCS player. The players all stop expecting a call.. with hesitation the ref waves his arm for play to resume. This was a critical call that should have been made. Everyone saw it, he saw it so why would he not call it, who knows was he afraid to make a call that could decide the outcome of a game. This might sound like sour grapes but it is not. He had a clear view of the play but chose not to call it. That is what I am talking about, hesitation, not sure what to do or call. Bad way to end the season, but there is always next year, you just feel sorry for the seniors.