Re: Referrees are vital to our game - - -

Just wanted to give you a couple of whys regarding some of your points:
Most referees(me included) give as short of a pregame talk as we can. This is basic at the higher levels of play but applies to all but the youngest of youths. Reasons:
1) as soon as you say "i will not stand for this/that" you WILL encounter a decision in the game contrary to what you have said....and now you have credibility problems with an opening for dissent.
2) The players/coaches know the rules and are not to be coached at the center circle.
3) Chances are, they arent listening to you anyway. After about the fifth word the players start to lose interest.

There should be some semblece of consistancy so that the players should know that you will call a fair game. The best way to send that message is AFTER the whistle blows......make sure you are right on the foul play. Another good way to send a message before the game is how you carry yourself. Be professional, be early, look confident.

By the way: the best control I ever had was when one of my ARs(who checked the players in) told them that I was a tough State referee from the big city who didnt put up with any shinanigans......Now none of that is really true.....except the part about the shinanigans! >:-) But it worked!

Finally , an certified referee should understand that when club linesmen are being used they are NOT supposed to call offside but ONLY ball in and out of play and when a goal has pass completely over the goalline and in between the goal posts. The only way to get good offside calls above the U10 level is to pay for three reffs.