Happy New Year

a day early.

Another year down at Lets Play.

On the schedule color trumps initials so if you ever see your color

but incorrect initials please go by the color on the grid,

My Wise words for this week....

Guess I am fresh out this morning.

Have a great week!

Ref week for Christmas and New Year week

I didn't get everyone's availability so I apologize if you are not on the schedule

but I had to post.  

Games are starting earlier this week so please alert quickly if start times are 

not doable.

I really hope you all find something this Holiday Season to be Thankful

and grateful for.  

I do appreciate everyone on staff.

Week of 12018

Ref week of 12-18

Lets all welcome Steve as a new official to our group.

No Games on Sunday and just in case anyone is not certain, there will not be

any games on Christmas.

Had to shorten the ref shifts a little this week to try and

make sure everyone got a chance for extra money.

With all of the youth games going on my ear starts to burn everytime

I walk into indoor with "special" comments I get to endure.

"He has a bias against Pride", "He hates our team" 

"The Ref only likes the other team", "The ref doesn't like me so he takes it out on my kids"

Etc....

No, I do not believe any of our officials are like the above statements.

I feel we have VERY good and fair officiating.

But, my opinion doesn't matter, perception if 90% the rule.

Just keep that in mind when officiating and working on our game management.  

We will NOT be able to please everyone, just the facts of officiating, but something to keep 

in the back of our minds.

ref week 12-11

Ref week for 12-11

I personally forgot how much fun reffing youth can be!

I appreciate those who do not mind reffing the younger crowd

well, at least dealing with the adults that come with.

I went front being called Dick Head by a parent in one game, yes, I gave him a red,

to the next game being told they thought I was the most fair referee.  Yes, the team that said that was destroying the other team.

Moral of the Story.  

While I may be a dick head and a good ref I do not think either applied in either game.

My point.  

Remembering that youth is all about how you handle the crowd as much as the kids.  Yes, we still need to call the game correctly, but game management could have likely kept me from

giving a parent a red card.

Mostly, try and remember that to the parents, this IS the world cup of all world cups very Saturday...

Just kidding.

Keep up the good work.  

Early timekeeper shift Wednesday.  

Currently no timekeeper on Saturday Mini Field

ref week 12-4

Ref week for 12-4

No major complaints.  One team complained about getting blue cards for just asking questions 

but I have talked to enough people that I do not feel the blue cards were not warranted.

Please feel free to have a discussion but as we have done, if people get to 

aggressive in nature a card always works.

I have limited availability this week. Marc may or may not have more availability if you need coverage.

We have new schedules this week so always check the schedule.

Saturday we have an opening late afternoon.  Currently games end at 7 pm.

Thanks for all you do.

ref week 11-27

Great Job Team!!

We made it through the first week of extended schedules, grumpy/stressed players.  No we get to ref a few weeks before we hit the BIG Meltdown called Christmas!

I have not heard of any real complaints about anyone that we need to address.  I think the worst thing I heard but about myself and one or more parents said something along the lines of "he likes to blow his whistle just to hear his whistle."

I actually like that kind of complaint.

Appreciate each one of you and all you do for CSSC!

Turkey Week Ref Schedule

First,

Happy Thanksgiving. 

I am Thankful for each one of you and the sacrifices you make for Lets Play.

Time of year = more cards, more fouls, more Whining etc...

Definitely seeing an uptick in pettiness on the field.  Please remember to use your cards to help control the situation.  We can only control so much but we CAN control somethings.

Communicate, I know this can be difficult based on situation.  IF you need to stop the game for a second and remind everyone safety will come first so be it.  

You can give the ball to a team and go with a no foul call...

Talk to the captains if you are having an issue with a specific player.  

Have a great week, Be safe, Keep our players safe.

Thank you All.

ref week 11-13-17

Ref Week 11-13

We have a new official, Marc Gahagan so when you see him please say hi.

Marc has reffed indoor, outdoor, coaches and plays outdoor/indoor.  

Lets say he has experience and he had a first in my 10 years as lead official, Marc got to break up a fight on his first game of his training.  

Better him than me!

We have a couple of opening on Mini field.  

Miguel may be able to assist this week, he didnt know his schedule at the time of posting so if you need some coverage please let him know to see if he can help cover.

We have made i through the first week of youth.  Tempers in the adult leagues have flared this week for sure.  I'm not sure if it was the time change last week or pending Holidays coming up but people are more on edge so use cards judiciously.

Thank you again for all you do.  We are the face of the facility, the better we are the more people play and the more opportunity there is for us.

ref week 11-6

Dearly Officials

  We are gathered here today to get through this thing called YOUTH...Electric word youth
It means high school children, parents, yelling and screaming, bad fouls, boarding, but I'm here
to tell you, there's something else, Adult Leagues.

A world of never ending complaints, you can always use your blue card, Day, or Night.  So when you call up your shrink, not in Beverly Hills, you know the one, #$#$^#, Instead of asking how many games are left, ask yourself how can I help the game along

Cause in Indoor, things are much harder than they need to be, but your not alone...

Go Crazy, One Time!!!   HAHAHA, That was for you Billy!!!   My DAD jokes rule!!

So seriously, Youth is here.  Some odd scheduling this week as youth is kicking in and it wasnt' posted at the time most people sent in availability.

With that mind if you cannot make part or all of your shift COMMUNICATE EARLY.  Kayla, I have you covering a few games early as timekeeper on 2 of the days you also come in for mini field.  I hope that is ok.

This week is what youth will likely look like moving forward.  Earier games Tuesday-Friday, SaturDAY big field and mini field.

As a crew we need to communicate as best you can with the players, explain as much as you can...I know it can be difficult but it would make our Adults less difficult. 

Lets get back to Calling more, even if 50/50 or ven just stopping the play, give the ball to one of the teams without a foul being called...maybe if you question if Team A got fouled, give team A the back without counting as a foul.

  Ladies and Gentelmen, Don;t co crazy, support each other, assist each other.  Lets get our heads on straight as youth brings out the BEST in our customers...

Oh yeah, please send availability through the APP if you want to work.  I have an outdoor referee I am likely to bring on board to pick up a shift here and there so make sure you let me know if you want to work.

ref week 10-30

Happy Halloween!!

We have timekeeper opening Sunday/  

PLEASE SEND availability by Saturday night.  Billy, I know you are waiting on Kim but  multiple people did not send availability this week.

Safety, communication are the focuses.

Keep it safe this week as always.

ref 10-22

Ref week 10-22

I need to see what kind of attendance we would have for a ref meeting at 5 pm Saturday the 28th.

Kayla, I have you reffing 1 game on big field Wednesday before moving to mini field.

Open timekeeping Wednesday on mini field and Saturday Big Field.

Seeing quite a few new(er) faces this session so far.  Please remember to keep 

SAFETY

as you number 1 priority.

Looking to me like there are some new players that do not understand we are

playing REC soccer and don't really gets the walls are not 

for people.

Please send your availability, even if there is none, by Saturday...

ref week 10-16

Ref week for 10-16

We need to have a ref meeting prior to youth starting.  Thinking about next Saturday maybe 10 am?  please respond via crew app...we need 75% participation to schedule.  Otherwise we need to find a time to meet soon.

Keep up the good work.

Safety First and Last.

Appreciate you all very much!

ref week 10-9

                                                   WINTER IS CLOSER?

About 3 weeks from Winter Season...hopefully we will see more youth teams than last year so there are more shifts available.  Keep up the good work.

 SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY

OVER COMMUNICATE

I have seen some players this week I didnt expect to see back any time soon.

Keep up the good work!

ref week 1-02

October...Really?  

Happy Spooky Reffing...yeah I know, its pretty corny.   Just trying to  see who REALLY reads the comments I write!

We have some opening.

AR Thursday Mini field 3 games

Referee Friday night and I could use help Saturday as my team plays the last game of the Saturday night shift.  

Lets work on our consistency as we move towards youth.  Assuming there will be more options to ref and timekeep.  

I have seen some old faces coming through the doors recently and I think if we can continue to really focus on players safety we will keep seeing more old faces come back for a game or two, maybe even a team or two.

Let get it done!

ref 9-25

We have 2 open ref shifts available...Thursday 2 mini field games and Sunday early.  Please check your schedules and let me know ASAP.

Please send your availability in by Saturday.  I'm going to have to get more officials trained at this rate and then it will be based if you send in your availability.  

Just a reminder on shifts...I give shifts based on ability, seniority, all availability and special requests.  I try to always give shifts to everyone available but some weeks it doesn't work that easy and I apologize...the next week will likely be different.

Referee reminder...Long tome players are acting brand new about the automatic 5 foot rule on free kicks...just card em.  This is a well known rule.

Thanks for all you do!

week of 9-18

We have an open referee shift Friday evening and an open timekeeper shift Saturday evening.  

If you can help out on these let me know ASAP!!

WINTER IS COMING!!

Yeah, that means you.  More Shifts available, more hours open, more games to officiate.

Start thinking about it now.

Last year youth games were as early as 3:55 during the week, 

ref 9-11

Ref week 9-11

Billy, I made some assumptions about your availability...if you cannot work those let me know ASAP.  We need an A.R. for Saturday night.  

Seems for the most part it is calming down again at indoor.  Whether we did that as a crew or people got their mind straight I am happy to see it.

Keep up the great work all.

ref week 9-4

Ref week for 9-4

 Thanks for all you do.  You work gets noticed by a lot of people but a lot of people do not mention it.

please continue to strive for the best.

ref week 8-28

REf week 8-28

 Thank you for the strong turn out for the referee meeting.  Appreciate it.  I would like to remind everyone we are trying to provide feedback for all of us so we can ALL get better individually and a team.

Keep striving for the best performance you can give.

Thanks.

My schedule changed slightly so I am going to cover Monday night.  We still need help for the first 3 Wednesday night as a referee.

ref week 8-21

Keep focusing on Safety.  Safety will be the how we continue to increase our players and team count.

We have has some complaints about Team America specifically...they have a girl who plays pretty rough, elbows up and is not afraid to run through other players.  We have gotten kudos for the most part but I guess she is pretty rough off the ball as well so lets keep our eyes out.

No complaints about referees for a while that I am aware of.  

We need to get a ref meeting in ASAP as we are struggling with scheduling.  Please send options you may have available in general so we can get a meeting together.

I know we have outdoor starting for youth and adults so it starts to limit availability.

A lot of exact same requests this week so if you are not on the schedule I either didnt get availability from you or 3 or more wanted same days.  Sorry, next week should be better. 

ref week 8-14

As of 8:45 am no games Saturday...but that could change.  Also remember this is first game week so times may adjust and games could get added.

Please look at the schedule each day when you are assigned.

ref week 8-7

Still trying to figure out alternate times for ref meetings. Your involvement on this would be great.  Feel free to add your 2 cents to the app.

 

SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY

 

No, we didn't have any incidents that made me post this.  An unnamed person was talking to me last night about some VERY serious safety issues at alternate facilities with other referees, not our referees.  Some of the things I was told absolutely shocked me.  Some players at other facilities have mentioned they do not feel safe and will not play there until safety concerns are taken more serious.

 

Guys, this is why we need to be known as the safest facility, where players come first. We all have day jobs and other activities we want to do.  I know we cannot prevent everything from happening as players get hurt out of officials control, but we can control the tone of a game and if we continue this practice I think we will see more teams playing at Lets Play.

 

We are doing a VERY good job in my opinion in the area of safety...keep up the good work.   

 

 

 

ref week 7-31

Ref schedule week of 7-31.

Over the last month we have seen an big increase in tension during games, mostly the mini field in my opinion but a large increase non the less.  Lets get our cards moving earlier and often, staff or regular players...doesn't matter.

We need to get this under control as best we can as officials.  Players will always do what they are going to do so we need to do our best to prevent additional issues.

Shout out to Jenny and Jim for stopping a game that easily could have gotten way out of hand and also a shout out to Felipe for doing his best to walk his team mates away from issues.

Bottom line is if you see or feel the temperature of a game rising quicker than normal lets do our part as officials or as players to try and cool it down.  

We nee to pick a new time to meet for ref meetings.  I have Monday night practice commitments now and will start Saturday games in the near future.  Please think about a time that works for you and reply via the app so we can get a time for meetings.

ref week 7-24

ref week 7-17

 

No matter what you do someone will always be unhappy.  The life of a sports official!!

 

We have a lot of assistant referee options available at this time...I will work everyone in as best I can but moving forward there may be weeks where someone is left out. 

 

 

 

REFEEK 7-10

Ref week 7-10

 

Ref meeting tomorrow at 6 pm. 

please send a message through Crew in or out so we know who to expect.

 

With the heat comes some added tension in the building for both players, referees and staff.

Please work to keep our heads when we play so others see even in the heat we keep our composure.

 

Keep up the good work.

 

 

 

Ref week 7-3

 

Ref Week 7-3. 

 

Yes, you see my color and initials a ton.  Jim and Crissy are out of town, Esai is limited to timekeeper abilities right now.

 

We have 2 opening right now.  Wednesday night for timekeeper and 4 games as mini field ref Thursday. 

 

Please let me know ASAP if you can help out.

 

ref week 6-26

Ref week 6-26

 

Keep your eyes open for any mini field additions this week.  I know we Kim is trying to get that started this week.

Keep up the good work ALL.

 

Thank you for your dedication.

 

 

ref week 6-19

Ref Meeting tomorrow night.

 

Keep your eyes on the schedule in case changes take place

 

 

 

 

ref 6-12

Ref Meeting tomorrow night at 6 pm

 

Good work all.  I cannot tell you the last time I have heard a complaint about any of us.  I have only heard of 1 Red Card in recent memory.

 

Keep up the great work.  IT is appreciated.

 

 

Oh yea, Ref meeting tomorrow night at 6:00.

 

See you there.

 

 

ref week 6-4

Ref meeting next week, sorry.  Forgot it is the second Monday of the month!

 

Good work officials.  I am now constantly hearing how poor other places are officiating and the players would rather have something called for player safety than nothing called at all.

 

Keep calling fouls, keep PLAYER SAFETY FIRST!

 

 

 

 

 

ref week 5-29

Ref week 5-29

 

Ref meeting coming in 1 week

 

We had a situation come up that we can table until the ref meeting.

 

I know I had a bad mental attitude as a player in 1 game last week and it helped remind me what type of player I do not want to be and things to look for when reffing..

 

 

ref week 5-22

Keep working hard at safety.  I'm seeing a few newer teams with some guys that have crazy legs.  Hard to call a foul in the middle of the field but lets keep them same around the boards.

 

 

Keep up the good work.

 

 

Ref week 5-14

 

First things First....

 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. 

Without those Mothers non of us would be reading this blog!!!

 

Second, Ref Meeting Monday at 6 pm!

 

Last, I wish I had more shifts to hand out.  So many deserve more shifts and want shifts but I jut don't have them to give.  I would love to be reffing 4 shifts a week but I do my best to spread these around.

 

Seniority, quality, complaints all go in to scheduling.  If you are not getting the shifts you want I apologize but I can only work within what we have to officiate.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

ref week 5-8

Ref meeting tomorrow night 6 pm.

 

 

 

Ref week for 5-8.   So many choices with not so many games.

Plenty of people deserve more games than I have to schedule.  Working with the amount of staff and games as best I can.

 

Please remember to think player safety first.  This is starting to separate us from the others.

It is getting noticed by some players

 

 

.

ref week May 1

We are ding something right!!

 

I reffed 2 games last night and we were discussing the Las Vegas Center.  He mentioned that he doesn't feel safe there...and he USED to feel that way at CSSC, but he is now on 3 or 4 teams at CSSC.

 

In short, keep it up.  Keep safety in mind as he felt like we were not a safe enough environment at one point in time.

 

ref wee 4-24

 

Thanks again To Donald and Jenny for getting Karina tom compliment you for a job well done.  I am convinced that we do much better as a staff than we get complimented for.  Keep up the good work.

 

When bouncing between high divisions and lover divisions try to work together to remind each other that in the lover division they want a lot less contact.

 

This is not easy to do as you can get into a mindset while reffing a higher division game then having to switch gears can be tougher as you call a great game but the lower division wants more light contact fouls.

 

Happy Reffing.

 

 

week red 4-17

 

Odd week with availability for people.  We need reffing for 2 games Tuesday evening, last 2 games  and 3 games Thursday to start the day.

 

Work on communication skills during the day.  Talk to players around the board, especially if they look like they are going 100 miles and hour towards the boards. 

 

Easy, no fouls, watch the boards etc...

 

ref week 4-10

Ref week 4-10

 

 There are a lot of referee and timekeeper options right now so don't be surprised if you have less than normal.

 

We will gain a few more shifts once Mini field starts again.

 

A few reminders. 

 

SAFETY FIRST

 

Fitbits and watches are OK

 

ref week 4-3

Ref week 4-3

 

Ref Meeting tomorrow at 6 pm.

 

Thank you

 

 

ref week 3-27

Ref Week 3-27

 

Shooting for ref meeting April 3rd at 6 pm.

May push to the April 10th depending on if people have enough time to get arranged for meeting.

 

A few things to cover. 

 

Please always call a foul when a player puts someone in the boards...should be a blue by the book but I do understand a brush into the boards calling a foul only as it can make for better gameplay at the higher levels, higher level players mostly get it.

Lower levels not so much.

 

This week was the most challenging in scheduling.  We all ref and Timekeep for extra money.  We all have different needs that may change week to week or be consistent.  I will always try to work with anyone as best I can to assist. 

We have A Lot of options for officials right now.  If you needed more than I was able to give this week I apologize in advance.  Heading into the Summer season we may be less busy so shifts will reflect that.  Maybe we will get more 3V3 or even big field teams.  IF so everyone will have more opportunity.

 

Thank you for all you do.  Even if you only come 1 time a week, please come ready to give it your 110%.  Your day may be the only day a new person comes and if they see you give 110%, they will come back.

 

If you just don't want to be there on a scheduled day, try to swap.  I know I gave up a shift last week even though I really needed to ref...but I also knew I was not going to be able to be fair, call a good game or really give a rats a$$. 

 

Thank you ALL

 

ref week 3-18-17

 

Ref week for 3-20

 

Derrick is now trained.  I will get him on crew app ASAP.

 

we have a lot of staff so performance and seniority will all play a factor in shifts. 

 

I will be out of town the early part of the week without any ability to cover shifts.

 

Safety First...Always.

 

Remember, Color Trumps Initials.  I also do colors first, then if I see a shiny penny I might publish before I move initials around.

 

ref week 3-13

Ref Week 3-13

 

Starters...I took a couple of longer shifts as I am out of town Sunday to Wednesday next week so I needed to squeeze in a few extra games.

 

Next...Please send availability by Saturday...PLEASE!  I have other things I have to do as well and I struggle waiting for people to decide if they want to work and send in their availability.

 

I like appreciate all of you...but with fewer games I will have to make decision based on not getting availability versus you abilities to Referee or A.R.

 

Thank you!!!

 

Please work on keeping consistency.

 

 

ref week 3-6

Sorry, no words of wisdom this week.

 

Shorter shifts this week. 

 

 

REF 2-20

 

Ref week for 2-20

 

Youth games will mostly wrap up this week.  New Adult season starting the week after.

We will likely have fewer games upcoming so be aware there may be fewer games to go around.

 

I appreciate everyone who made it through youth this year and the newbies that joined late to help out.

 

Thank you for another successful Winter Season.

 

Need Thursday mini field help for 2 games.

 

ref week 2-13

 

Tough week to schedule.

Stacey is out.  Jim is gone later in the week.

4 timekeepers had limited availability this week.

 

Welcome Crissy.

 

She is getting thrown to the wolves. 

 

If you see a spot you can help out let me know. 

 

 

ref week 2-6

ref week 2-6

 

Complaints are down so that is much appreciated. 

 

A Bunch of open timekeeper shifts this week.

 

Take a look and first to ask receives.  I didn't hear from several people so I published without reaching out.

 

Wed a few on big and mini field, Thur the same. 

Saturday mini field and later afternoon evening on the big.

All Sunday.

 

 

Ref Week 1-30

 

 

There is a mini field opening on Thursday...single game both ref and timekeeper and Saturday mini field Time Keeper. 

 

No Games on Sunday...Go Falcons!!!

 

Sorry any of you Pats Fans if there are any.

 

ref week 1-22-17

WE have timekeeper open on MiniField Saturday and 5 games ref shift on bog field Sunday Night.

 

Keep up the good work.  I haven't received any birds talking in my ear about things we are not doing as officials. 

 

Push to maintain the excellence.  I appreciate you all.