Soccer (American), Football (European)/Expert Profile

Expertise

Do you have a call made by the referee in last week`s match puzzling you? Are you a referee who may not be certain that what was done was the right thing to do? I shall be glad to entertain any questions about officiating soccer. The more the players, coaches and supporters understand the referee and his/her decisions, the more fun we can have on the pitch.

Experience in the area

After coaching my son's travel team, I have been USSF State Referee, State Assessor, Assignor and State Instructor in addition to having been a college NISOA referee,a NISOA clinician, a NISOA assessor and a high school referee.

Organizations

USSF, OSYSA, CASOA, NISOA

Publications

Soccer Ohio

Education/Credentials

J.D.

What do you like about this subject?

Officiating a soccer match is an art. There are very few black and white situations, but many, many grays. In addition, the ref has to decide if and when to stop the match to address one of those gray situations.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Every match has its own characteristics and challenges. Every match can be a learning opportunity. If I can do better, and if I can help others understand the Laws of the Game better, perhaps, we will all have more fun on the pitch.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Unless the referee calls the "foul," it is not a foul. Don't play the referee.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Everyone wants to whine about the officiating, but few have the courage to do it, and fewer still can do it well.