My six year old son is playing soccer. He is loving it. I think the best part of the game for him is the jumping chest bump and high fives after one of his teammates scores a goal followed by snacks at the end of the game with scoring goals a close third. I’ve been at the field in a new role, spectator and I’m still adjusting to it.
Let’s go through a few scenarios:
A) At the field next to you, the sixteen year old referee makes a brilliant no-call with three minutes left in a tied game between Red and White. Red had the ball in White’s box and was moving towards goal. White defender stepped in front of Red, kicked the ball into the next field (sending several 6 year olds chasing it instead of their ball) and feet got tangled. The referee called a throw-in despite first impression that there was a tripping foul that would have been rewarded with a PK. Game ends three minutes later still tied. What do you say to the referee as she walks by your field?
B) At the field behind yours, the fifteen year old referee is blowing chunks. They’re trying hard, running and keeping up with play but they just are not seeing seemingly obvious fouls in a U-10 game. Both teams’ parents are getting aggrieved. What do you do?
C) One of your son’s teammate’s parents are in luck today. Their 6 year old is playing on a field next to their 12 year old. The 12 year old’s team is being refereed by a full three ref crew which means offsides is being called. Over the course of the first half, the AR nearest to us has called offsides 10 to 12 times. From my angle, I was unsure about one but everything else looks good. After the 2nd half, the AR called several offsides against your fellow parent’s kid. They get frustrated… what do you do?
Answers below the fold: