Get Back In the Goal!

I have been a referee for Milpitas PAL Soccer for the last two years. It's a pretty big commitment; I usually referee two or more games each Saturday. During tournament weekend, the number of games can increase to around ten or fifteen games. Mix refereeing in with homework, college applications, and a social life - believe me, life gets really busy.

Despite the time commitment, there's still something appealing about waking up at eight on a Saturday morning, running in the heat or pouring rain, and worrying about angry coaches and parents. It's exciting to watch the kids playing for this soccer league that I played for when I was younger.

One of my favorite part of refereeing is comparing the players in different age groups; many players in the Under-Six age group often seem more interested in the grass and halftime snacks than the actual game. I've seen kids stand outside the goal, dribble the wrong way, and walk off the field during the game. I've also had little kids come try to start a conversation with me while they should be playing. Moments like these make refereeing a worthwhile experience. 

However, when you move up to the Under-Eight age groups, the kids become a lot more serious about the game. They understand what they're doing (for the most part), and they want to win. Move up one more level to the Under Tens, and it becomes a completely different game. Sometimes I love refereeing these Under Ten games because it's fun to see players who know exactly what they're doing; I feel like I'm refereeing a professional game. But sometimes these Under Ten games are nightmares to referee. The coaches can get really upset if they disagree with a call, which can happen a lot because there is so much to watch out for during these games, such as pushing, offsides, and slide tackles to name a few. 

Surprisingly, it's not just the Under Ten games that get intense. I have refereed Under Eight games during which parents and coaches have gotten extremely fired up about the game, maybe even more fired up than the players. On one hand, it's great to know that the parents are involved in their kids' sports and that the coaches want their team to win. But on the other hand, I think it sometimes gets too intense for a youth recreational league. I definitely think there should be some focus on winning, but there should be a lot more of an emphasis on having fun and learning the game. When the parents and coaches care more about the game than the players do, something is wrong with the picture.

I wouldn't give up this experience for anything. I love the excitement, and the intensity can actually be exhilarating. This experience has come full circle with me; I began as a player on the field, then watched my sister play soccer, and I am now officiating the games. I'm going to miss refereeing when I go to college next year, but I'm going to try to convince my younger sister to keep up the tradition.