Important News!!

Quad-Club 5 Hour In-Service & Re-Certification Clinic

Provided by Sal Crispi

Date: Saturday June 19, 3010

Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Where: Pleasant Hill Middle School (PHMS) Multi Use Room, 3100 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill Ca

Who: All DFC, HSC, LMSC, & WCSC Referees (No Charge); Others welcome $10 at the door

There is no Fee for attending and a Box Lunch will be provided. Mark your Calendars!  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Walnut Creek Soccer Club will hold 2 Referee Entry Level Clinics. Each Clinic consists of 6-3 Hour Sessions as follows:

WCSC To Host AYSO Tournament  
Provided by Sal Crispi

The WCSC is hosting the U12 Boys Division of the AYSO Select Tournament at Arbolado Park on Saturday 3/13 & Sunday 3/14.Only Only WCSC Officials who have their AYSO Badge may participate. Assignments will be made by me by next Monday or sooner. Sat Games will be 20 minute halves. Sunday Games will be 30 minute halves. To register your availability Click Here

The Games are listed at Ref Scheduler under WC Tournaments. I look forward to your participation! Thanks, Sal

Ibuprofen & Other "NSAIDs" - You Decide
Memo from Sal Crispi

A very interesting article from the New York Times regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (or NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen). Link provided by Bill Crisafulli, District III. CLICK HERE

The 2009 U.S. Soccer Referee Directives are now available online. They can be found using the links below or under the Referee Development area on the U.S. Soccer webpage. The ten (10) Directives are provided to assist in the management of games at the highest levels and, hence, are of interest not only to match officials but coaches and administrators as well. The objective of the Directives is to provide a more unified and consistent approach in key areas of game management.

• 100% Misconduct - Tactical and Red Card Tackles (.pdf)
• Assistant Referee Involvement (.pdf)
• Contact Above the Shoulder (.pdf)
• Dissent (.pdf)
• Free Kick and Restart Management (.pdf)
• Game Disrepute and Mass Confrontation (.pdf)
• Game Management Model - Flow Risk Taking Game Control (.pdf) 
• Handling the Ball (.pdf)
• Injury Management (.pdf)
• Managing the Technical Area (.pdf)

Michael Silverman, D4 Referee Administrator and Sal Crispi, WCSC Referee Director, are pleased to announce District 4's 2008 Male & Female Youth Referee of the Year and  2008 Adult Male Referee of the Year. All 3 referees are from WCSC. These awards not only recognizes their dedication and hard work throughout the past year but also their continued development as referees and their accomplishments outside the world of soccer.  Due to their professionalism and performance as referees, mentorship of newer refs, and activities in school and community, they represent the finest in District 4. Additional information on this award will be posted at the District 4 Referee Association's website at http://www.d4ra.com/ref/refs_of_year.htm.

District 4's 2008 Youth Referees of the Year are Alex Spaete - Male and Ana Marie Reagle - Female. 

Alex and Ana Marie were recognized by CNRA State Youth Referee Administrator Tom Starr, at the CYSA Expo / Annual General Meeting, on Saturday March 7, 2009 in San Jose (SJ Crown Plaza Hotel, 282 Almaden Blvd) and entered into competition for State Youth Referee of the Year against the Youth Officials from 8 other CYSA Districts.

Alex Spaete & Ana Marie Reagle	Roger Rivers, WCSC TD congratulates Alex Spaete & Ana Marie Reagle

District 4's 2008 Adult Male Referee of the Year is Bala Ayres.

Baya Ayres

Where else would you expect to find Sal Crispi on the 1st day of the 2008 WCSC Walnut Tournament? He would be In the center of soccer field, in the perfect position (10 yards behind and to the left of play) of course. Picture taken 11/15/2008, at a U9G4 game (Tornadoes vs Chelsea) at El Divisadero . 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

We are pleased to announce there will be a Referee In Service featuring Guest USSF Instructor, David Bragg. David is a USSF National Grade 3 and MLS AR. Yes, that was David running line as the Sr AR on the recent Barcelona v Chivas Game! He is bringing with him, the latest video clips from recent MLS Games which MLS use for their Referee Training. His keen insight into the game and his sense of humor always make for a lively session and is not to be missed!

  CLICK TO ENLARGE Photo courtesy of John Todd isiphotos.com
 

WCSC Training Officer, USSF Instructor and Assessor Roger Rivers, will also be on hand to review and clarify Tournament Rules.

The In Service will be at the Holiday Inn Express, 2730 No Main St, just south of the Treat Blvd/Geary Rd exit on Hgwy 680 in Walnut Creek. The Inn is located on the west side of 680.

WC Summerfest Referee In Service Agenda

7:00PM – Introductions - Sal Crispi

7:15pm – Review of Tournament Rules - Roger Rivers

7:45pm - MLS Video Review and Discussion – David

8:45pm – Closing Comments: Sal Crispi

9:00pm - Adjournment

I look forward to seeing you at the In Service and on the weekend and thank you for your Support! - Sal Crispi, WCSC Referee Director

It's safe to assume that there are few groups who enjoy taking a "Busman's Holiday" as much as officials. Officials love to go to games, or sit at home and watch them. In fact, some of us have likely been told by a buddy that it's no fun to go to games with us because all we do is "watch the officials." Watching other officials is one of the best ways to improve. Sitting in the stands, even at lower level games, gives officials a fresh perspective on the little things they do every game. How do the officials look and move? How do they handle controversy? You can sometimes learn as much from bad examples as good ones. But are there tricks to watching other officials? How can you maximize the benefits of watching others officiate? Follow these tips:

• Don't view games at lower levels as uninteresting, or the officials as being rookies. Not far from where I live, there is an official calling youth football who officiated in the NFL! Could you learn something from him?
• Don't criticize the game officials. You know better than anyone how different the game looks on the field. Second-guessing is natural, but if you're in the stands, keep it to yourself. Nothing can make things ugly faster than someone saying, "I'm an official, and I can tell you they blew that call!"
• See the whole play. Before you pass judgment on a call, make sure you saw exactly what happened. If someone passing a cold one past you diverted your attention, you might have missed a key element of the play.
• Don't watch the game as a fan. Labeling yourself a "fan" removes any semblance of impartiality. Don't overlook a great call by a fellow official just because it went against your team.
• Watch for rule interpretations as well as mechanics. Was their interpretation the same one you'd have come up with? Are you aware of any rules differences that might apply?
• Watch how experienced officials move. Watch their signals and observe their rapport with players and coaches. What do they do differently from you? Is there a technique or "trick" they employed to make the game go more smoothly? Observation can show the way toward personal improvement.
• Watch for tough calls and controversy. Were the officials in position? How did they handle an irate player or coach? Did they seek help from a partner? Did the game get unduly delayed while matters got sorted out? What did they do well to resolve the matter?

• Avoid pre-conceived notions about the officials. They will affect how you interpret the officials' calls and evaluate their mechanics. Be as impartial as you are during your own games. Every official at every level is just as capable of calling a great game - or a stinker - as any of you. -

Written by Dave Sabaini, a freelance writer and official who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana

Let the Games Begin!
Important Pre-game Checklist/Reminder - CLICK HERE

Advice to New Referees from USSF - CLICK HERE

We emphasize that this video is for comedy purposes only!  It is very humorous and illustrates many of the common misconceptions among soccer fans regarding Law 11.  Much if not most of the explanation by the "referee" is patently false, such as "when the play is played forward,  and there is no offside if the ball is played backwards and the defenders must be in a line and.........etc. Roger Rivers , WCSC Training Director

 CLICK HERE

"No man ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes." -- William E. Gladstone

The final weekend of the 2008 Fall Season is November 15-16 and will feature House games only as part of the season ending Walnut Tournament! The House or Division 4 Teams don't get to go to many Tournaments during the season, so this event has always been special to them. I would like as many Referees as possible to participate and make that weekend. There are plenty of games (Think, 3 weekends rolled into one!) and you will receive full pay even thought the games are shortened! How sweet! EG: U10 halves are 20 minutes, not 25, U12s are 25, not 30 and U14s are 30, not 35! So mark your calendars and be prepared!

The Assistant Assignor on duty this weekend is George Chen.

Thanks for your support! Sal

NB 1: Reminder - WC Ref Meeting Wednesday, November 5th 6:30 - 8:30pm at Heather Farm Pk, across from HF2. RSVP & Register for the Meeting above ASAP! Currently, we are up to 30 Officials. We can do better! At our meetings you will learn not to be a "DINOSAUR"! (see NB 5 below)

Agenda:

6:30PM: Welcome, Referee Test & Introductions - Sal

7:00PM: Foul Recognition Pt 2 (Video Clips from Youth State Cup) - Roger Rivers

7:45PM: Break

7:55: Field Problem - Group Discussion: The Science Of Refereeing - Restarts...getting them Right!

8:20: Door Prize Drawing

8:30pm: Adjourn

Next Meeting - WC Annual Awards Dinner Meeting - Week Of December 1st (Date - TBA), 6:30-8:30pm at Rocco's!

NB 2: New Referees who have officiated 10 Games are now eligible for reimbursement of their $75 Entry Level Clinic and Uniform Kit Fee. Simply add a note on your next Pay Voucher and add it to the total at the bottom!

NB 3: Comp Team Referees should make sure they are meeting their Team's Goals. For U9 & U10 Class 1 & 3 Teams the Goal is to have the 2 Team Refs to officiate 5 Games each or a total of 10 Games. For U11 and older it is 5 games each for the 3 Refs for a total of 15 Games officiated. Don't let your Team and the Club down. In the next 2 weekends the opportunity exists to reach those goals easily. Remember, there are consequences for those Teams who do not reach those Goals. Let's not make that happen!

NB 4: Off To College & Leaving The WC Ref Program!

I have had several conversations with WC Youth Referees who have requested to be dropped from the Program because they are off to College. I have reminded them that they should maintain their Registration and locate the Assignors in their new location, esp., to get involved with the local college Ref Program. Currently, the minimum pay for a college game is $75 for an AR on a JC Game! Most college Officials average 2-3 games per week. Keep that in mind as you move away from WC! I would be happy to assist any "graduate" in locating the local Assignors.

NB 5: "Dinosaur" aka Dinosaurus Reficus, i.e. almost extinct species that prides itself on never learning something new; brags about officiating over a 1000 Games not realizing he/she has reffed really 1 Game the same way a 1000 times. Often found on the pitch in conflict with everyone. Often thinks, "It's my way or the highway!" If this is you, it's time for a gut check! You definitely need to start the 12 Steps. Take the 1st one this Wed. See you there!

"A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner" -- English Proverb

About 45 Referees, of all ages and experience, attended the September 3rd Referee In-Service Clinic (ISC) and were treated to a surprise guest instructor, Bob Sabella, a US National and former MLS AR!

Key items covered:

1. Administrative - a) Review of Game/Referee Values - No requests for Upgrades will be responded to until October. We are too busy now. The time to have asked was 2 months ago when the values and Upgrade Progression were 1st published. b) WC U10 Rules can now be downloaded CLICK HERE ; c) Review of "Self-Assigning Protocol". Mentors will be contacting their mentorees before Friday. Respond to them ASAP so arrangements can be made to observe and support you at your 1st Games.

2. Interview fo State Female YROTY - Courtney Cook. Courtney shared her thoughts on becoming a Referee, how much it has changed her, her trip to Hawaii for the Nationals and what the future holds for her.

3. Getting ready for Opening Day - a Pre-game Review. Roger Rivers reminded us that "If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail!" Preparation begins the night before! Check your bag. Is all your gear there? Have you reviewed the Rules of Competition? WC Refs officiate in 4 different Leagues (WCSC, GSSL, D4CYSL & NorCal Premier)!

4. Critical Elements of Ref/AR Communication - Bob Sabella pointed out how important it is for the Ref to support the ARs calls in their Quadrant and for the ARs to support the Ref, esp. with plays behind the Refs back.

5. Results of the Door Prize Drawing: 1st to Chris Ferreira - USSF Coffee Mug; 2nd to Todd Brookhart - USSF 3 Stripe Ref Socks; and 3rd to Robert Whitmarsh - Fox 40 Whistle

6. Adjournment: Next Meeting - Wed Oct 1st 6:30-8:30pm at Civic Park. Mark Your calendars! Register Now CLICK HERE

CLICK TO ENLARGE

• Referee "Tip of the Week"  
  Provided by National Referee Bob Sabella

ARs be aware of contact to the upper body as fouls occur there, especially Holding, Shirt Pulls (also Holding), etc, that may be hidden from the Referee's angle. Referees are usually watching the feet around the ball and will catch those fouls.

• U.S. WOMEN WIN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL
  CARLI LLOYD SCORES WINNING 1-0 GOAL AGAINST BRAZIL in OT

Lloyd’s 96th Minute Strike Holds Up After Scoreless Regulation; U.S. Goalkeeper Hope Solo Makes Six Saves to Earn Shutout Victory; Heather O’Reilly Earns 100th Cap Along With Gold Medal

BEIJING (August 21, 2008) – The U.S. Women’s Olympic Soccer Team put together a near perfect defensive performance to hold powerful Brazil scoreless for 120 minutes while getting a goal from Carli Lloyd just six minutes into overtime to record a historic 1-0 victory and earn the gold medal.

This victory marked the third gold medal for the U.S. women in four Olympic Games. The USA also won gold in 1996 and 2004 while taking the silver in 2000.

The match was played in front of a raucous crowd of 51,612 on a field made slippery by rain that fell during the entire day and for the first part of the match.

The winning goal came on a shot from outside the box from Lloyd, who took advantage of a nice piece of possession in the U.S. attacking half that saw the ball go from substitute Lauren Cheney to Lloyd, who one-touched it to Amy Rodriguez. The speedy U.S. forward played a cheeky back heel to an overlapping Lloyd, and she took a touch forward before blasting a low left-footed shot into the lower left corner of the goal.

“What an amazing match,” said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage. “I am so proud and I am enjoying the moment.” [More Quotes]

The game was a rematch of the 2004 gold medal game that saw a similar result with the USA winning 2-1 in overtime off a game-winning goal from Abby Wambach.

Hope Solo played a super match in the U.S. nets, catching several dangerous crosses, stuffing Brazilian star Cristiane on a mini-breakaway, denying FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta on an almost-point blank shot and parrying away a terrifyingly dangerous cross near the end.

The U.S. team played Brazil even during the first half, with both teams producing only a few scoring opportunities, but the Brazilians picked up the pace in the second half. That’s when the U.S. defense shined the most, riding a spectacular defensive performance from center backs Kate Markgaf and Christie Rampone and outside backs Heather Mitts and Lori Chalupny to keep the Brazilian strikers off the board despite several close chances.

After a scoreless 90 minutes, the teams entered the overtime period with Brazil getting the nod on scoring chances, but the U.S. defense and Solo would not break.

Solo’s best save of the night, and possibly the biggest of her career, came in the 72nd minute, after Marta got around two U.S. defenders and into the six-yard box. Marta had a clear shot from point-blank range, but Solo reacted with lightning-fast reflexes to block the well-struck shot with her right hand to keep game scoreless.

The Brazilian attack of Marta and Cristiane was dangerous throughout the night, using their dribbling runs at the U.S. defenders to create chances. In the 31st minute, Cristiane got in behind the American back line, but Solo came off her line to smother the ball, sending the Brazilian forward flying into the air. Three minutes later, it was Marta who danced around Markgraf and Rampone, but her low driven ball hit the side-netting at near post.

In the 41st minute, the U.S. turned a half-chance into a great opportunity. Heather O’Reilly made a quick turn near the right touchline and lifted the ball up in the air toward the penalty box. Hucles was there to run onto it and hit a half volley, but her shot went wide.

Solo was called upon to make another big save in the 54th minute, after Cristiane and Marta combined again to get Marta down the end line. She cut in toward the goal and hit a shot from a difficult angle that Solo snared and held onto as other Brazilian attackers crashed in for a potential rebound.

At the other end of the field, the Americans pressed forward late in the game as they looked to win the game in regulation. Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara was called upon to make her best save of the game in the 86th minute when Hucles ripped a one-timer that seemed destined for the side-netting, but Barbara dove to make the save and keep her team in the game.

Just before the end of regulation, Rodriguez found herself in alone on goal as a ball skipped past the Brazilian defense. The 21-year-old striker saw Barbara slip and tried to chip her, but the Brazilian ‘keeper was able to recover and knock the ball down.. With the final regulation chance, it was Rodriguez again who received the ball in the center of field, turned and ripped a low driven shot right to Barbara.

The American momentum carried into the first overtime period and the U.S. Women got the game winner just six minutes after the restart.

Both teams made substitutions after the goal as Sundhage brought on Natasha Kai for O’Reilly and Brazil countered by subbing in Rosana.

The South American side ratcheted up their attack looking for the equalizer and almost got it in the second overtime period. Following a quick restart, Marta got around two defenders on the dribble and hit a hard shot that went just high of Solo’s net.

Minutes later, she took a dangerous-looking free kick from outside the penalty area that took a bounce near the far post before skipping wide of the goal, just out of reach of a crashing Renata Costa.

With Brazil pressing forward, the U.S. took advantage of the counter attack, almost doubling their lead. Kai ran down a ball in the corner and played it across the top of the box, where Lloyd took it on the run and battled through a few defenders before hitting a shot that caromed off the right post and away.

With time running out, Brazil earned three straight corner kicks and the third almost leveled the score. Marta’s corner from the right side swung to the far post for Renata Costa, who got her head on it, but her shot hit the outside netting of the goal. The last chance of the game belonged to Brazil as Renata Costa lofted the ball into the box for Cristiane. She was able to get a head on it and drive the ball low, but Solo was there for the save.

Following the 2008 Olympic Games, the U.S. Women’s National Team will take on Ireland in a three-match tour, hitting stops on the East Coast and Midwest shortly after their return from China. The Fall Tour gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Philadelphia at 8 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field, and continues on Wed., Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The last of these three games will be played on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CT at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Fans can follow all the matches live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker. Ticket information for all three matches is available at ussoccer.com.

• WC SUMMERFEST TOURNAMENT
  Memo from Sal Crispi

  Hopefully, all went well for everyone today. I would especially like to thank those Officials who filled in when two of our officials were involved in accidents that required hospitalization!
  
  All Preliminary and Playoff Games for the Tournament have been updated through 4:00pm on Sunday 8/24 and posted at www.refscheduler.net. When you received the Ref Scheduler email on your assignments, reply with email confirmation ASAP! We especially need help at 12:30pm for an OPEN AR2 at Arbolado Pk!
  
  Any errors or turn-backs should be brought to my attention promptly!
  
  If you did not receive an Assignment on Sunday, email me immediately. If you are looking for extra games, check in with the ARCs at the Ref Table upon arrival and before you leave the site.
  
  Rules and Directions can be found at www.wcsc.org at TOURNAMENTS, WC Summerfest. Bring a copy of the Rules to the Tournament. Pay Vouchers can be found at the same site under REFEREE PROGRAM, then FORMS, then WCSC 2008 Tournament Referee Payment Form or CLICK HERE. Download a copy, fill in your games from the Assignment Schedule and submit to the Site Assistant Referee Coordinator (ARC) after your final Tournament game.
  
  The Tournament Hospitality Crew will have water for Officials throughout the day. Lunch at the Snack Bars or if no Snack Bar at your site, Box Lunches will be delivered c. 11 - 11:30am.
  
  All Officials are expected to be at the Ref Table at your site 35 minutes before Kick Off of your 1st Game. Locations of the Ref Tables and a list of ARCs to check in to, plus emergency numbers to call, are published below:
  
  1. Arbolado Park: Sal Crispi & Courtney Cook - (510) 206-8615. (Located on the north side of the fields by Tennis Courts)
  
  2. Castle Rock Park: Dave Dunning (925) 899-3556 and Jim Fassett. (located to the left of the main entrance).
  
  3. Heather Farm Pk 1 & 2: George Chen (415) 320-2200 & Alex Spaete (925) 457-2717. ( Located between Fields 1 & 2 south of the Field 2 Restroom)
  
  4. Heather Farm Pk 3 & 4: Roger Rivers (925) 408-4592 & Todd Brookhart (925) 785-9590. (Located between Fields 3 & 4 by the fence).
  
  5. El Divisadero Park: Mike Sullivan (925) 519-0276 & John Antaki (925) 212-2800. (Located between field & parking lot).
  
  Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you on the weekend!
  Sal Crispi,WCSC Referee Director & Tournament Assignor

• HOT NEWS!!! WCSC IN-SERVICE CLINIC (ISC) 8/22/08
  Memo from Sal Crispi

There will be a Referee In Service on Friday Evening, 8/22 at the Holliday Inn Express from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the Oak Room. The Inn is located at 2730 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 MAP.

The Instructor will be David Bragg, USSF National Grade 3 and MLS AR. He will be presenting video clips from recent MLS action. This is the same material presented at the MLS In-Service and at Pro Clinics throughout the country earlier this month. It should provoke a lively discussion and is not to be missed! Unfortunately, space is limited. Please RSVP immediately to assignorsal@astound.net to reserve your seat!.

• NORWAY TOPS U.S. WOMEN 2-0
  2 Goals in the1st 5 Minutes of Olympic Opener
  
  Japan Up Next for U.S. Women on Saturday at 5 a.m. ET Live on USA Network

QINHUANGDAO, China (Aug. 6, 2008) – The U.S. Women’s National Team fell to Norway, 2-0, in the first match for both teams at the 2008 Olympics as the Europeans stunned the U.S. with two goals in the first five minutes. The Americans pushed to pull a goal back in the second half, but an organized Norwegian side held on for the victory on a hot and steamy night at the Qinhuangdao Sports Center Stadium.

The loss was just the second-ever for the U.S. women in the Olympics, with the only other loss also coming to Norway in the 2000 Olympic Final in Sydney, Australia.

Norway sits atop Group G with three points. Japan came back from a two-goal deficit to tie New Zealand, 2-2, creating a tie for second place with one point each. The USA will face Japan next in a critical match on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 5 a.m. ET live on USA Network and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel.

"My glass is always half full. For us, it is a new experience to lose a game and the fact we tried to turn around and create some chances in the second half is positive,” said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage, who suffers her first loss as the U.S. head coach. “I'm happy that this is the first game and not the last. We still have two more games to go. We will take the good part of the second half going forward to play against Japan and New Zealand.”

Post-Match Quotes | Photos | U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer Page