Let the junior AR be the bad guy
I'm not sure why this happens every year, but every year there's a snit about jewelry. Actually, I know why - because other referees let it go, but I don't know why some many refs don't bother with enforcing that rule. And because of this, every year the league presidents come to us and tell us, no jewelry or no play, no exceptions (medi-alert bracelets are not jewelry and must be taped down). It's been that way from U-little all the way to adult.In this case, the two assistants, myself included, were clearly in a mentoring position - the center had only been in the middle a few times, and so we were there to help her out, make constructive criticisms and help her out. She also got to hear me play the bad guy over an earring. This woman made all the excuses, too:
- I just taped it last game.
- The last ref let me wear it.
- All the refs this season let me wear it.
- Even in high school they let me wear it.
- I can't take it out.
- It'll cost me $70 if I take it out. [I like how this one came after, "I can't take it out."]
- It's not supposed to come out.
- I don't think that's right, if I just put it in, that I'm not allowed to play soccer. [Again, note the placement over the other excuses]
- Fine. But I'm writing a letter to the league, and they can pay for it.
AR2 is a nice position to be the bad guy - since you're not in the middle, or near the benches, you won't get ridden on over-and-over again. And if a referee needs to be the one to enforce the rules, and get the players pissed off, why not let it be the one the players will see the least of? (more)
11 August '10 - 15:02 - - | Only one comment - § ¶
