Welcome to Lake Highlands Girls Classic League Assessor's Corner
Saturday, February 26, 2011


2011 Spring Season Referee’s Meeting 
The Spring season got off to a great start with a referee’s meeting Sunday January 30th. We were pleased with the turnout and those in attendance were treated with free LHGCL referee shirts and presentations from Larry Huey, Dave Luckey, Jim Henderson and Theo Freeman. Larry, the North Texas State Director of Instruction, gave a presentation that asked the question, Are You a Professional? and distributed handouts of important website address's that every well informed referee should have in their favorites list. Dave is Chairman of the North Texas Olympic Development Program, and is a primary instructor for the LHGCL’s Meet the Referee Program. He reviewed some of the concerns expressed by parents of U11 players in the MTR sessions. Jim Henderson discussed some of the concerns of the LHGCL regarding dealing with foul and abusive language.

We would like to thank Manny Ortiz Jr. for giving referees an opportunity to purchase equipment from Official Sports International and Larry Huey and Jim Parker for processing 2011 USSF registration paperwork.

I would like to thank everyone who took time out of your busy schedules to attend.
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Irresponsible Behavior
Referees are dealing with the irresponsible behavior of coaches and spectators this season. Let’s make sure that we are employing the procedures as prescribed in Advice To Referees section 5.10 when managing these occurrences:
     The referee should only take action against coaches or other team officials for irresponsible behavior or for actions
      that bring the  game into disrepute.


When irresponsible behaviors occur, officials should use a gentle escalating approach so that the referee’s responses do not incite more unacceptable bench behavior.

Whenever possible referees should use the Ask -Tell - Remove process:
ASK- If a situation arises where there is irresponsible behavior, the official (referee or assistant referee) should
          ASK the person(s) to stop. (This should not be a long conversation)

Tell– If there is another occurrence of irresponsible behavior, the official should inform that person that the
         behavior is not permissible and TELL them (insist) to stop.

Remove– If the unacceptable actions continue, the referee must REMOVE that person immediately.
 
Remember the Laws of The Game provide that one coach at a time may provide tactical advice to their players, including positive remarks and encouragement. Referees should enforce the “one coach at a time” policy – It helps identify the person responsible for bench behavior.

The playing rules of the LHGCL (section IV D.) state that all coaches, spectators and players will stay within 10 yards of the halfway line and five feet back from the touchline.

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Silence is a referee’s best friend 
Conversations between assistant referee, coaches, team officials and spectators distract the official from his primary duty which is to assist the referee in controlling the match. Any communication to anyone along the touchline should be short and to the point, no long winded conversations, and no attempted explanation of the referee’s decisions. Assistant referees should always remember the Code of Ethics for Referees.

When was the last time you picked up a copy of the Referee Administrative Handbook and read Subpart C – Code of Ethics for Referees? Well here are three sections that you should review:

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Securing Your Equipment 


We know that a game fee will not replace a referee shirt. Let's be security conscious as well as good referees.


Theo Freeman
USSF State Assessor