santa sangria
RefChat Addict
I had a heavy start to the week: played a game then filled in for a missing ref in the match straight after. That game went very well, I had legs, even though I could have done with more warm up time.
But the following night I had a bigger game in a league that's always a slog, and it featured an awkward team. My third time with them this season.
Overall the game went OK, but not as well as I would like and I was trying too work out why. On the other thread we have been discussing familiarity with players. I have become perhaps over-confident in match control in the last few weeks. Rather than the players testing me, somehow, especially in second halves, I have been letting them play too much, over confident in my match control. Only one RC this season in over 60 games. Not proud of that - I haven't had any VC with the whistle and only one DOGSO-maybe that I regret - not proud, not intentional, but must be a factor.
In this game, with a few players that are walking cards, I managed them well - in terms of communicating all the niggle I saw - but I probably over did it.
3 stand out moments, all with away captain, who we can call "WC" - the walking card
...
1) WC chasing down nippy striker towards the corner in front of NAR. Ball not within playing distance. Attempts cynical trip, just makes contact, attacker continues, I wait to see if advantage, WC manages reckless slider before striker can get into the box. I whistle and communicate the first foul and give YC for USB and strong warning on future conduct. However, first foul was only careless though a cynical attempt to trip. Was I OK in law here - is the USB OK for an attempted-reckless trip or should I have actually given the DFK at the site of the second challenge that was reckless contact?
2) WC is in left wing position, chasing defender as the ball is going out across the touchline on my diagonal. Ball is going out. WC makes small hands, barely a shove, more momentum-push-off, but enough to send the defender to the floor outside the FoP, very nearly into the hoardings. I think: ball is out, careless from WC, I do a tip signal for my NAR that it's a defence throw and then signal - only to look round and see the NAR is signalling a throw for WC. I correct him, he changes signal and I verbally warn WC as we get back into position for the throw. I couldn't justify a card here (whether or not second yellow) but wondering what I could have done differently?
3) WC pops up at centre back in the final minute. Nippy striker - who has had about 12 great opportunities to score, on 29 goals for the season, in the last match of the regular season, team 3-1 up - has the ball in the box, going away from goal. I am 3 yards away. As striker turns, WC impedes him with a soft hack at the ankles that makes his legs buckle, stops his turn. It's enough for me. Clear PK, point to the spot, no card. WC wants DFK. I say no, PK, and move to the spot. Attackers spot the ball outside the box behind my back. Nooo! I was sure. No doubt the contact was well inside the box, even though the ball was going outside. NAR doesn't know/show. It doesn't matter. I am so sure it is no problem for me. Even though I pointed and shouted for the PK I could have done more - like a Deano trigger finger and louder multi-peep I guess? Anyway it was the last kick - and goal in off the GK.
I am being straight about the decisions, but overall it "looks" like too much managing the player(s) rather the game - so, how to avoid that (in my final observed game of the season next week which will probably decide promotion)?
But the following night I had a bigger game in a league that's always a slog, and it featured an awkward team. My third time with them this season.
Overall the game went OK, but not as well as I would like and I was trying too work out why. On the other thread we have been discussing familiarity with players. I have become perhaps over-confident in match control in the last few weeks. Rather than the players testing me, somehow, especially in second halves, I have been letting them play too much, over confident in my match control. Only one RC this season in over 60 games. Not proud of that - I haven't had any VC with the whistle and only one DOGSO-maybe that I regret - not proud, not intentional, but must be a factor.
In this game, with a few players that are walking cards, I managed them well - in terms of communicating all the niggle I saw - but I probably over did it.
3 stand out moments, all with away captain, who we can call "WC" - the walking card
...1) WC chasing down nippy striker towards the corner in front of NAR. Ball not within playing distance. Attempts cynical trip, just makes contact, attacker continues, I wait to see if advantage, WC manages reckless slider before striker can get into the box. I whistle and communicate the first foul and give YC for USB and strong warning on future conduct. However, first foul was only careless though a cynical attempt to trip. Was I OK in law here - is the USB OK for an attempted-reckless trip or should I have actually given the DFK at the site of the second challenge that was reckless contact?
2) WC is in left wing position, chasing defender as the ball is going out across the touchline on my diagonal. Ball is going out. WC makes small hands, barely a shove, more momentum-push-off, but enough to send the defender to the floor outside the FoP, very nearly into the hoardings. I think: ball is out, careless from WC, I do a tip signal for my NAR that it's a defence throw and then signal - only to look round and see the NAR is signalling a throw for WC. I correct him, he changes signal and I verbally warn WC as we get back into position for the throw. I couldn't justify a card here (whether or not second yellow) but wondering what I could have done differently?
3) WC pops up at centre back in the final minute. Nippy striker - who has had about 12 great opportunities to score, on 29 goals for the season, in the last match of the regular season, team 3-1 up - has the ball in the box, going away from goal. I am 3 yards away. As striker turns, WC impedes him with a soft hack at the ankles that makes his legs buckle, stops his turn. It's enough for me. Clear PK, point to the spot, no card. WC wants DFK. I say no, PK, and move to the spot. Attackers spot the ball outside the box behind my back. Nooo! I was sure. No doubt the contact was well inside the box, even though the ball was going outside. NAR doesn't know/show. It doesn't matter. I am so sure it is no problem for me. Even though I pointed and shouted for the PK I could have done more - like a Deano trigger finger and louder multi-peep I guess? Anyway it was the last kick - and goal in off the GK.
I am being straight about the decisions, but overall it "looks" like too much managing the player(s) rather the game - so, how to avoid that (in my final observed game of the season next week which will probably decide promotion)?
