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

John Cummings

U.S.

Available

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.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	P	Comments
mark	03/21/10	10	8	10
John	05/13/09	10	10	10
Jon	09/29/08	10	10	10	Thank you for your prompt response. I .....
Abdi	11/26/07	10	10	10	thanks
Jam	11/05/07	10	10	10

Recent Answers from John Cummings

2012-04-16 Physical contact:

The key for me as a referee was watching the player's eyes. If the charging player looked at the player to be charged, I felt this suggested that the charging player was playing the player - not the

2012-04-16 PK:

It all depends on the timing. If the outstretched leg of the defender was there just as the attacker ran by, then there would be a PK. If the defender's leg was there so that the attacker had time

2010-03-20 law 14:

The key is the predicate. If the LOTG had said that the keeper must "play" the ball, then he/she would have to gain control and possession of the ball. The the LOTG only say that the ball must "touch"

2009-12-17 Goalkeeper offenses:

To understand this issue, it helps if you are a little "long in the tooth" i.e. older. When the Laws of the Game formerly only allowed keepers four steps after taking possession, many keepers would

2009-09-28 To PK or not PK:

The call would depend on the details and your perception of them. I would have to ask myself the following questions: - Did the keeper jump into the opponent? - Was the keeper playing the ball or

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