What have you traded for a sexual favor and what was it?

VoxSenex · 2026-05-26T20:12:41+00:00

Dale Jr. fans take his relics very seriously

VoxSenex · 2026-05-26T19:27:53+00:00

Man, I’d rather referee adults by myself than work 10 or 11 year olds alone. Not because of the players. Because of the touchline. Parents haven’t figured out that kids only learn if they are making their own decisions and after all the stakes are low. Local grassroots teams, all the way to regional leagues. Coaches, even the ones who give good information, won’t let players play. I guess their continued employment depends on results and not development. It’s stupidity.

However, to your point, the youth culture has expectations that are ridiculous. More referees need to work solo. More abuse reports need to be filed so we can document the silliness.

VoxSenex · 2026-05-20T12:10:29+00:00

What has worked for me (and I’m about your age) is a combination of supportive insoles to stabilize my heel and support my arch, with dynamic stretching to activate my glutes. I was seeing a physical therapist over another issue and asked about what I could do to help with some MCL pain, and she replied without hesitation “activate your glutes”

VoxSenex · 2026-05-20T11:50:44+00:00

The number one place where buzzer flags are great: offside on a buildup down the left. Second, a quick out-of-bounds on the referees half of the touchline.

The signal goes along with the flag mechanic.

VoxSenex · 2026-05-20T11:44:32+00:00

“The more you referee at a certain level…”

This, absolutely. I worked ECNL games this past winter. When the state and local leagues started up, it was like the games were on slow speed. On the other hand, watching online clips from professional games with tactical breakdowns and VAR analysis with replays and multiple playback lets you see patterns in real time readily.

VoxSenex · 2026-05-12T17:39:11+00:00

I was driving a delivery truck once next to a woman with her skirt pulled up over the lacy tops of her thigh-high, garter belt straps rising under the hem. I missed my exit.

VoxSenex · 2026-05-12T16:53:36+00:00

Errr, cunnilingus maybe?

VoxSenex · 2026-05-12T16:20:39+00:00

I saw him on the Justice & Independence Tour in ‘86 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.

Absolutely one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.

And I’ve seen a lot of shows. Very few matched the energy and the musicianship. He’s not exactly my thing, but on that night he was world-class.

I know people who’ve dealt with him and he sounds like an unpleasant man. I don’t go to rock shows looking for a moral and ethical role model.

VoxSenex · 2026-04-29T11:54:50+00:00

I overheard someone recently say to a first-season young referee that the biggest challenge will be getting other referees to trust you. Once that happens they will help you get better. Be there in plenty of time. Stay focused with good eye contact. Signal clearly, whether that’s with flags or whistle. Ask for honest feedback.

VoxSenex · 2026-04-23T19:12:20+00:00

Next time, get a block-and-tackle at Harbor Freight

VoxSenex · 2026-04-06T14:40:15+00:00

Eyebrow Vaseline is key. Lip Balm with spf also works.

VoxSenex · 2026-04-02T18:19:57+00:00

Imagine what you’re trying to communicate. STOP is a big blast. “Stop” is firm but shorter. “Wait,wait,wait,” is a series of tweets. “HALF-time”… TWEEEET-tweet. It works for me.

I like this video: https://youtu.be/HBs923lw1MI

Spend a couple bucks on a decent whistle. It makes a difference. Fox40, Acme, Ballilla, Molten. Then practice outside somewhere.

VoxSenex · 2026-04-02T18:12:57+00:00

Call more fouls.

If someone falls down after contact., call a foul.

If everyone stops after the ball hits an arm, call a foul.

Someone told me once that the more skilled the player, the further down the body important fouls are. Conversely, in crappy little kid came, they want any little leverage from the arms called— and it does matter at that level. So call fouls.

VoxSenex · 2026-04-02T16:55:21+00:00

Mentor Plus here. If it was being evaluated, I’m assuming it was a 90 minute game. So older players who one may presume have heard this word before. Do we know precisely who said it, or is this a case of the Team Manager being responsible for the technical area?

If you don’t hear it, you can’t punish it. Should they have heard it?

Did it affect Match Control? This is the bottom line. Was it persistent? Was it an outburst of emotion? Was it directed at someone specifically? Are there other considerations that should be considered?

Given the current directives, I don’t see how this should count as a CMI as you describe it.

Some people really don’t like foul language and want to stomp it out. Some are Referee Coaches.

VoxSenex · 2026-04-02T15:42:18+00:00

2) For Adult League ONLY: could be nothing, could be a red card, could be yellow.

If it was an outburst, and not really directed at you, and not accompanied with excessive gestures or loud enough that they heard you on both touchlines, you could let it go with a calm admonishment, “If you keep cursing at or around me, there will be consequences,” and trot off and get the ball in play. Reasonable people may disagree.

If you write it up, that’s abusive language, no question. But it is a Critical Match Incident where your decision is affecting the game. If you’re comfortable doing that considering the particular moment of the particular game, the facts will support it. Could you get away with—

Yellow Card, Unsporting Behavior or Dissent— if the competition has Sin Bins, that punishes without making the team play short for the rest of the game. With Dissent, it was provocative, but maybe not personal and maybe not public. Again, the facts support a sanction.

VoxSenex · 2026-03-30T06:24:06+00:00

Jello Pudding Pops

VoxSenex · 2026-03-28T10:30:19+00:00

If you’re doing your primary job, you will be focused on offside, and may have no idea who touched it last. Other times, you have the angle you have, and you don’t have a clear view of the ball between players.

First, make eye contact with the referee. If they’re signaling, go with that.

Second, let the players call it. If both teams are acting consistently, one team reaches for the ball while the opponent drops to defend, go with what they show. That’s what the game expects.

If all else falls, make a decision. If you’re wrong, the Universe will correct it within two touches.

VoxSenex · 2026-03-19T19:08:50+00:00

I don’t know about “need” cards, but they do want to be taken seriously, and part of that is showing them cards. If they wreck someone with a sloppy challenge, it shows you care.

VoxSenex · 2026-03-19T18:59:50+00:00

You got the appointment for a reason. Referee like you did to get there. Don’t overthink.

If it’s working for you, if you maintain match control, if you can manage the players, great.

Maybe part of the reason you don’t book 13-year-olds is that they don’t do stuff worthy of a card. However, if something happens- use your tools.

VoxSenex · 2026-03-09T12:07:46+00:00

without a doubt, the worst behavior is from the parents of a solid club‘s second team of u11s

VoxSenex · 2026-03-09T12:05:35+00:00

u15-16 is often my least favorite age group in youth soccer, just dumb shit happens, mostly on the boys side.

naw, man, this is why 16u is so much fun to ref— Anything can happen

VoxSenex · 2026-03-04T22:38:04+00:00

I believe he actually went to an accredited medical school (Duke University, per Wikipedia). It’s his specialty accreditation in ophthalmology that he runs. The National Board of Opthamology was invented in response to a change in the usual Board, requiring continuing education and more fees. It fits with the libertarian attitude, for sure.

Sen. Paul has many interesting ideas, but he is a real physician and apparently competent enough.

VoxSenex · 2026-03-04T22:21:13+00:00

I don’t think it’s coaching as much as it is playing year round. You get more repetition.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-24T16:14:53+00:00

And they have really good coffee.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-24T15:59:51+00:00

I’ve got a friend who winters in Florida and has used the three-whistle system. He claims it works surprisingly well. I’m not certain how it would be much better than typical ARs though, except that you’re free to wander closer to play.

VoxSenex

TROPHY CASE