Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The average size of a soccer field is 120 feet long and 70 feet wide. That's larger than the average American Football field.
Given the imposing size of the average field, for long I have wondered why there is only one referee officiating a match. It often seems like the one official is unable to properly observe all the action, thus resulting in missed or inaccurate calls.
Wouldn't it be better to simply assign one referee per each half of the field?
I welcome the opinions and understanding of those in the know.
The average size of a soccer field is 120 feet long and 70 feet wide. That's larger than the average American Football field.
Given the imposing size of the average field, for long I have wondered why there is only one referee officiating a match. It often seems like the one official is unable to properly observe all the action, thus resulting in missed or inaccurate calls.
Wouldn't it be better to simply assign one referee per each half of the field?
I welcome the opinions and understanding of those in the know.
In my limited experience, I've heard of TWO referees on each side of the field before -- but that was in AYSO youth soccer -- when there weren't any flag people available! That meant that the refs also had to call the offsides!
In pretty much every match I see there is a referee on the pitch who also has so called assistant referees, previously known as linesmen, who as the name suggests, assist with proceedings.
In pretty much every match I see there is a referee on the pitch who also has so called assistant referees, previously known as linesmen, who as the name suggests, assist with proceedings.
(Not sure why the links aren't going directly there but follow the appropriate part.)
Thank you for that. I was nevertheless referring to having a ref on each side of the pitch. Seems like that would make it easier to get a better/fairer view of plays, fouls, etc.
Some of the calls I've seen during the current Women's WC and other tournaments have been absolutely horrendous. A 2nd ref on the pitch might alleviate this.
I'm not sure that a second ref would in that there may be inconsistencies between the two. It's debatable.
I might add that football, or rather Sepp Blatter, has been slow to adopt technology in resolving things like the ball crossing the goal line, let alone reviewing an outfield refereeing decision.
I'm not sure that a second ref would in that there may be inconsistencies between the two. It's debatable.
I might add that football, or rather Sepp Blatter, has been slow to adopt technology in resolving things like the ball crossing the goal line, let alone reviewing an outfield refereeing decision.
What if each ref had sole responsibility/authority over her/his half of the pitch? That's the only way it would make sense, at least in my mind.
That would suck if the ref on your side of the pitch is having a bad game and the ref on the other side is spot on. Would weigh things in one teams favour. Not workable imho.
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
41,936 posts, read 36,962,945 times
Reputation: 40635
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianH
That would suck if the ref on your side of the pitch is having a bad game and the ref on the other side is spot on. Would weigh things in one teams favour. Not workable imho.
In HS matches in NJ a two man system is used. In past years I would work games and try to work with other Refs. who had the same concept of the game. Even then calls which I would have allowed to be played on would be blown to a stop.
Best system is three man system allowing the center to being the final judge.
In professional hockey, there has been a two referee system in place for at least 20 years.
With that system, either ref can call a penalty, at any place at any time. They also have two linesmen, who call off sides and icing infractions. Obviously, hockey is a much faster game, with strong physical contact, and the goal is a mere six feet wide by four feet high. The NHL has had video replay for years, to allow the on ice official's decisions to be reviewed by the NHL's competition office in Toronto, in real time.
Why soccer is so far in the past is beyond me.
Jim B.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
