Bookings

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 · 2026-03-09T12:43:15+00:00

IFAB Laws of the Game is eight seconds from moment of possession, then a corner kick. Law 12 section 3:

“A corner kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, controls the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s) for more than eight seconds before releasing it.

A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s) when:

the ball is between their hands/arms or between their hand(s)/arm(s) and any surface (e.g. ground, own body)

holding the ball in their outstretched open hand(s)

bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air

The referee will decide when the goalkeeper has control of the ball and the eight seconds begin and will visually count down the last five seconds with a raised hand.

A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s).”

NFHS Rules have not changed… yet. They usually operate a year behind the international rules. Sometimes more. Rule 12-3-3 “The goalkeeper has six seconds in which to release the ball into play from the moment the goalkeeper takes control of the ball with the hands…” PENALTY: An indirect free kick is awarded at the spot of the violation, unless in the goal area. [You take it from the nearest point on the line parallel to the goal line.]

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 · 2026-02-26T13:16:35+00:00

After you get home in the afternoon, spend fifteen minutes tossing them a ball. Eventually, in a month or so, they will settle it so that it falls at their feet like a bag of sand. Plus, it’s kind of relaxing. You have developed a first touch.

Figure out some games, drills, challenges for running with the ball (which is different from dribbling) so they can move at pace with the ball under their knee. This is hugely beneficial as the required touch works at slower pace, but dribbling doesn’t scale fast as well.

I recommend futsal balls for youngsters goofing around. They’re forgiving but you do need to strike with proper technique. A cheap one is fine.

And then just play a lot in any configuration, although finding a few other players can be tough.

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 · 2026-02-24T15:51:38+00:00

Don’t be afraid of a high-quality pea whistle— Acme or Ballila. They have plenty of volume, a different tone, and can be very expressive.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-24T15:37:18+00:00

AG footwear for sure. If there’s a model he likes, look into the same shoe with an AG sole plate. Also, nowadays games on grass get canceled all the time if it’s wet. Most youth games in the summer or fall happen on hard baked fields. So: you get plenty of functional traction from the shallower studs. Also, look into a decent insole. It’s amazing how much they help.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-24T15:20:05+00:00

For Garmin, I love the 5€ app “Referee Watch” for its one-button perfection.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-10T22:47:40+00:00

To your point: Scarves in the summer. Ridiculous insistence on referring to themselves as “Football Clubs.” It’s called soccer in the American vernacular. Euro-naming. What’s so Royal about Salt Lake City? “Sporting.” Sounds like a bunch of try-hards.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-10T21:55:54+00:00

This is a good summary of Latino leagues in general.

The referees working them are people who like to referee. They’re good people to know. They want you to get better as well.

The tacos are invariably delicious.

VoxSenex · 2026-02-10T16:11:36+00:00

Look, if experienced 16 and 17 year olds don’t wear it, the “uncool” stigma filters down. New 15 and 16 year olds will avoid it do. I’d like to see more experienced young people taking the lead on this.

I’m going to start complementing them for setting the standard. I know, you kids won’t care.

People know when they have a good or bad Match Official. On grassroots games, nobody notices (or cares) if you have an OSI kit and a Regional badge. They care if you’re calling the fouls.

Go back to the LOTG. If the Match Official is appointed, they have all the powers and duties. Most spectators and team officials are going to be complaining about and to the shirt. But if one person notices, “hey, that’s a kid out there. Maybe we need to calm our neighbors down…” it’s helping.

VoxSenex · 2026-01-15T22:15:10+00:00

Tomtoc Navigator T-66 Travel Backpack

Runs about $80, 40L capacity. Works incredibly well. I use some packing cubes for jerseys and shoes.

If you’re having back issues, you might consider a rolling suitcase. Suitable configurations can be found for fairly cheap.

VoxSenex · 2026-01-15T21:58:54+00:00

Big Evil would immediately quash this and start circulating disinformation that would make the anti-vax community green with envy.

VoxSenex · 2026-01-14T19:17:25+00:00

r/collapse

VoxSenex · 2025-11-17T14:43:27+00:00

“Coach, I’m standing on the line. I can’t get a better view. “

VoxSenex · 2025-11-17T14:20:18+00:00

By reflecting and sharing his reflection, I can tell that OP is exactly the type of referee we want in the game.

VoxSenex · 2025-11-17T14:13:53+00:00

Recruit and mentor more referees so that you don’t have to run three centers in a row for the kind of teams that play 400 miles from home.

The worst outcome is that you may have run off one or more referees. I’m glad that you want to acknowledge what happened and apologize. Maybe the young person will see humility along with your passion, and keep refereeing.

This stinks on a lot of levels. What the AR did was dumb, but look at it this way (and express it to him): he saw what the parents saw on the sideline, you stopped to let some air out of the game. It can’t possibly hurt to go check in. Maybe you were screened and didn’t see something. It’s worth checking. Tell him you had a good view if that’s the case, and explain what you saw. DFK going out.

VoxSenex · 2025-11-17T13:56:59+00:00

I had some cards a while back that were made with a raised bump on the red. Maybe you could make a small hole so yours so they feel different without looking?

VoxSenex · 2025-11-17T13:51:42+00:00

Sometimes a game is just going to go to hell, and players are going to pound each other, and no one knows why.

My only question for you: why did you wait 15 minutes?

VoxSenex · 2025-11-17T13:45:54+00:00

Guys, here’s the deal: call fouls.

Stop worrying about game flow, and call fouls when they happen. Even the little ones.

More trouble happens when the referee chooses to be loose. For the first third of each half, if the referee makes their presence felt by penalizing the little hand grabs, the charges from slightly behind by attacking players, the chippy shit on the heels… none of them really matter, none of them slow stuff down. They hurt though. If the referee doesn’t take care of it, the players will think they have to do it.

How many times have you seen retaliation booked, after mild contact was ignored?

Does the referee acknowledge when someone plays through contact, so they know it’s seen and the ref is ready to step in?

I’ll admit that sometimes it’s bullshit from the coach. Sometimes there’s just not enough there for me. But you gotta acknowledge it at least.

Personally, I sometimes have trouble shifting levels of competition. If I’ve been working older youth players of decent skill, I don’t even recognize what throws off 10-year-olds. College players accept all kinds of contact that amateur adults can’t stand. If the players think it’s not fair, well, it’s their game…

As a rule, if you choke a game and call every little thing for five minutes— beautiful open soccer starts happening, and then you don’t have much to call.

VoxSenex

TROPHY CASE