cards

OLJW wrote:...when you find any kind of organization that is performing a task or many tasks, poorly, consistently poorly, over a long period of time, at the top of that organization you will find weak leadership. Strong leaders don't tolerate extended periods of poor job performance.

What leadership are we talking about? LHGCL, the clubs or the Tournament Directors/organizers? I cannot speak to a wealth of experience with youth soccer, but I've been to out of state tournaments and found the games are called in much the same way.

My conclusion so far is that:
- Some, not all, coaches want to win at all costs so they allow or teach the over-the-top physical play (extended hands to the back, pulling jerseys, stomping on kids, throwing unseen punches) etc
- There are parents out there who encourage this style of play...anything to get an advantage for their kiddo
- CR's must not paid enough to fill out paperwork for cards given
- I could be wrong on this, but it does not seem like a lot of CR's care to trust or involve their AR's
- TD's and or League officials must not care enough or want to manage player discipline

Bottom line to me? I feel as a parent the message I hear is show up, pay your money and shut up. Why? Because there are not really many other options. Besides, who wants to move to New Jersey or California anyway? No Tex-Mex and dang it, there are priorities in life ;-)

ElClassico wrote:She's 11, moved when he asked and still got it. Point is if you're not going to issue them for elbows, forearms, tripping, tackling players in the box, etc. then issuing one for that is just stupid.

Why does a card need to be issued for this? When I was a young player, we LOVED it when someone would stand right in front of the ball. One of us would take the kick as quickly as possible and aim right at the opposing player's head or torso. After nailing the close-range opponent, the ref would always allow our team a re-kick because the kid was too close... after making sure the pegged player was still alive having received a bullet from point blank range. It was a win-win for our team.

Valjoux13 wrote:

ElClassico wrote:She's 11, moved when he asked and still got it. Point is if you're not going to issue them for elbows, forearms, tripping, tackling players in the box, etc. then issuing one for that is just stupid.

Why does a card need to be issued for this?  When I was a young player, we LOVED it when someone would stand right in front of the ball.  One of us would take the kick as quickly as possible and aim right at the opposing player's head or torso.  After nailing the close-range opponent, the ref would always allow our team a re-kick because the kid was too close... after making sure the pegged player was still alive having received a bullet from point blank range.  It was a win-win for our team.

That's a really effective way to take care of it.

I think the real solution might be money. I think the current product is not good enough and nobody is going to do more or better, without proper incintive. I'd be willing to pay $100 more per year per player, if it would bring better officiating. Multiply $100 x all the kids playing soccer in the Metroplex and it's a very large number. Provided the Ref's on the field recieved every penny of that money, I think we might see an improvement.

Outlaw, I think money is always an incentive, but your statement "provided the ref's on the field get every penny' would be key. My guess is LHGCL/PPL/APL would take 80% of that and give the ref's a small portion and that would not do anything.

Even if the ref's did a great job on the field I think it's up to the league to track and maintain player discipline. Should not be that hard.

Of course the NFL commissioner makes what, 32-44 million per year and you see what kind of changes happen in the NFL. Can you say corruption?

League discipline money should go to a charity so that no one can say refs are just trying to make money for the league

Zizou wrote:League discipline money should go to a charity so that no one can say refs are just trying to make money for the league

Thought it went to scholarships. If so, even better.

The problem is that there are not enough quality referees available.
The quality referees gravitate toward the better leagues/games.
Your league, ___ fill in the blank____, is not it.

You're welcome.

upper95 wrote:The problem is that there are not enough quality referees available.
The quality referees gravitate toward the better leagues/games.
Your league, ___ fill in the blank____, is not it.

You're welcome.

Whaaaaat? Are you saying the the boys get better refs than our beautiful sweet daughters? Say it ain't so, bro.

Lefty wrote:

Zizou wrote:League discipline money should go to a charity so that no one can say refs are just trying to make money for the league

Thought it went to scholarships.  If so, even better.

Scolarships would be great if you trust the league to appropriate the money correctly. Could just end up being a political mess. Charity and giving back to the soccer community just seems like the amicable thing to do.