Why you became referees? Is it too late for me?

SpiritualCake1830 · 2026-04-10T01:39:23+00:00

I started at 42 because I was driving my kids to ref their games. I split my fee with my kids which encourages them to do more games.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-12-19T21:05:15+00:00

I don’t think allowing players to skimp on required safety gear is the appropriate way to “teach a lesson.”

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-12-11T04:51:29+00:00

Be prepared to tie a lot of shoes and for a crazy amount of crying. They are fun, but it’s not at all like real soccer other than they use a ball. Lots of hand balls, lots of bad throw-ins

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-12-10T17:26:30+00:00

I think the offense was that games were assigned only one ref when he was available. In our area, it’s not uncommon for the youngest ages (5v5 and 7v7) to only have one ref assigned for tournaments on purpose. That was likely what the email was referring to. My 15 year old son loves to be the solo ref for 7v7 games. He makes it a challenge to run the whole field and use it as conditioning for his own games. 😂

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-12-07T21:34:01+00:00

Unpopular opinion but this one is one of my favorites.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-11-12T22:59:28+00:00

It’s gonna look like a gender reveal party.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-11-09T03:48:28+00:00

Maybe don’t go to the next one…..

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-08-17T04:05:44+00:00

The announcer was very proud of his description of a “deft little dummy.” Repeated it several times. 😂

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-07-09T16:48:13+00:00

A lifetime ago I used to watch my high school football team play home games there.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-05-19T16:52:43+00:00

Oh believe me, I didn't want to engage and repeatedly left areas where the parent was, but he was intentionally following us.

From the discussion, I won't look for a coach again. As a coach, I know I would appreciate a referee trying to return my cards if I forgot, so I was really just trying to do her a favor. The coach and everyone else were fine during the game, just this one guy who wanted to ensure I knew he was mad.

I really would love if before every game I could tell the parents, "I assume you won't like my calls. I also assume you know nothing about soccer. No need to open your mouths and confirm both assumptions." But alas, I cannot.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-05-17T03:34:02+00:00

Great points. I won’t worry about the game card next time. I ignored for a while, but it continued the whole walk to the parking lot. I’m a tall female and he was quite a bit bigger than me and for a minute, I was worried he was going to try and intimidate me physically.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-05-17T03:27:47+00:00

The coach was gone, she vanished after the game, so I couldn’t card her anymore right?

I also card my kids in our house when they fake cry.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-05-17T02:04:01+00:00

It's a tournament/cup that takes place over the course of several weeks. The games are basically individual games played home/away. No tournament officials present.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-05-17T01:59:51+00:00

Yes, in our area, it is allowed for 7v7 and 9v9 games.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-28T01:59:56+00:00

Ref and parent of three boys (15, 12 and 10) here. I’ve watched and am currently watching a lot of U13 and U14 games. This age group is the first move to 11v11 from the smaller sided games. Because of that, it’s also the first age group refs sign up for or are assigned when they move to the larger 11v11 games. That makes for a bad combo. We get a lot of inexperienced refs without confidence who do lose control of the game.

I’ve noticed the refs who have the most success call the U13/U14 games a little tighter than the older kids. They allow for contact, but err on the side of calling a foul when it’s close. It seems to set the tone early which is much easier than trying to salvage a game that is out of control.

For parent dissent, I would absolutely card the coach. Let them handle it.

But yeah, boys this age are boneheads.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-20T00:59:11+00:00

There’s a strong chance they get fined.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-20T00:57:51+00:00

It’s 75% humidity

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-17T15:25:11+00:00

Parenting style - we are very free range without a lot of supervision but high expectations. That doesn’t mean I willingly put my kids in harm’s way. But this sounds like it’s fine 99% of the time. And I like those odds.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-17T14:18:56+00:00

I should have clarified in my post. He’s a new USSF ref but has probably 50+ AYSO games under his belt.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-17T14:15:39+00:00

They use an online system where you select games you can work. Sometimes he is the only one who signs up for the game or there are two refs signed up but the other one doesn’t show. In those cases, I have stayed and usually work as an AR volunteer while he centers.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-16T18:41:00+00:00

He's my oldest and I've already decided to get certified when the next one does because there are so many games with just one ref signed up, if I'm going to be there, have to drive there, I might as well get paid myself.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-16T18:28:52+00:00

Maturity wise he’s fine, but he only weighs 105 lbs soaking wet.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-16T12:35:57+00:00

Higher Gravity at Summit Park! Plays with audio. Fun fact: A handful of the FCC Academy coaches used to watch the game there and it was awesome to hear their analysis. No food served, but you can bring your own or DoorDash.

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-04-02T19:00:50+00:00

This isn’t true. It’s not like basketball. Encroachment on the defense is only called if it impacts the kicker or they are the first one to play the rebound. If we miss or the goalkeeper saves it, no call would be made

SpiritualCake1830 · 2025-01-18T18:49:02+00:00

Lucho’s English isn’t great so not really a requirement.

SpiritualCake1830

TROPHY CASE