April 2007
Thank you!
On behalf of Full Time I wish to give Chris Kerr a big thank you for his work as editor of our Newsletter. Chris’ passion and vision for his referee duties no longer allows him to produce Full Time, we wish Chris well as he continues to serve our association as a leading example of commitment to excellence as a referee.
Welcome to a new season
Stephen Budai, chairman of the Referees Executive Committee, expresses his warm welcome to all referees for the new season, especially new members to the Association who may be experiencing their first season.
“I know that many referees have been committed to a number of tournaments throughout the summer season but now that the club season has started so have a number of new referees. I would encourage the more experience referees to keep an eye on new and younger members to ensure that they feel welcomed and encouraged on the field of play when such opportunities present themselves.”
Steve adds, “On behalf of the RDO, Alexandria Maclennan, the Executive Committee including the Youth and Senior Appointees, I wish every one a most successful season for 2007.”
Pains and trials of fitness
Physical fitness is a major part of the referees’ game. Preparing and playing football requires each referee to achieve levels of fitness that out side of football would not necessarily be thought of let alone experienced
Take it from one who knows!
In 2003 I was 125.5 kilos and very unfit. It has been a painful and slow process to drop weight and to reach basic levels of fitness.
For the last couple of years I suffered from heal pain not really knowing what it was and how to get it right.
Please read the following from one of many web sites that will help those who experience similar difficulties with heal pain, the condition is called:
Plantar fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tar fashee-EYE-tiss) is an inflammation of the plantar fascia. "Plantar" means the bottom of the foot; "fascia" is a type of connective tissue, and "it is" means "inflammation".
Heel spurs are soft, bendable deposits of calcium that are the result of tension and inflammation in the plantar fascia attachment to the heel. Heel spurs do not cause pain.
The plantar fascia encapsulates muscles in the sole of the foot. It supports the arch of the foot by acting as a bowstring to connect the ball of the foot to the heel. When walking and at the moment the heel of the trailing leg begins to lift off the ground, the plantar fascia endures tension that is approximately two times body weight. This moment of maximum tension is increased and "sharpened" (it increases suddenly) if there is lack of flexibility in the calf muscles.
A percentage increase in body weight causes the same percentage increase in tension in the fascia. Due to the repetitive nature of walking, plantar fasciitis may be a repetitive stress disorder (RSD) similar to tennis elbow. Both conditions benefit greatly from rest, ice, and stretching.
Here are the treatments that are the most important:
- Stretching the calf muscles several times a day, especially in the morning and after prolonged sitting.
- Ice after activity. Plain ice is good or use the flexible gel packs.
- Tape.
- Stretching the plantar fascia in the morning.
- Rest.
- Arch Support (especially if you have flat feet).
- Losing weight if possible, especially in overweight women. Overweight women are 6 times more likely than overweight men to get plantar fasciitis. This is probably because fat deposits lower on the body in women than in men. This lowers the centre of gravity which will cause excess tension in the plantar fasciitis if there is not also greater flexibility in the calf muscles.
The classic sign of plantar fasciitis (which is often called a "heel spur" because it's easier to pronounce) is heel pain with the first few steps in the morning. If this symptom is not present then the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis has to be checked more carefully.
The pain is usually in the front and bottom of the heel, but the definition of "plantar fasciitis" indicates it can be over any portion of the bottom of the foot where the fascia is located. The pain can be mild or debilitating.
It can last a few months, become permanent, or come and go every few months or years for the rest of a patient's life with no obvious explanation.
The heel may hurt when it strikes the ground, but plantar fasciitis is not caused by the heel striking the ground. Some suffers begin walking on the front of their foot because of heel pain. This may help if they have something other than plantar fasciitis, but if they have plantar fasciitis, walking on the forefoot causes more tension in the plantar fascia (which pulls more on the heel) and it can make their condition worse.
There are any number of sporting tapes that can be brought at the supermarket or chemist.
Since I have applied the above tape treatment before each jog and game I have found the pain of plantar fasciitis almost gone
Valuable insights into the referees' game
From RDO Alexandria Maclennan
NZ FOOTBALL GUIDELINES FOR REFEREES
REFEREES ROLE:
• Ensure the game is safe and fair for all players
• Intelligently apply both the letter and the spirit of the laws of the game
• Encourage skilful play
• Interfere with the game as little as possible
• Show integrity being seen to be fair
• Show concern for injured players
• Accept responsibility for building good relationships with all players
• Be respectful to players
GOOD REFEREES show:
• Control
• An ability to handle players well
• A feeling for the game
• Quick, accurate, consistent decision-making
• Concentration
• Physical fitness for peak performance
• Understanding of the difference between fair, foul and nasty challenges
BEFORE THE GAME
• Arrive in plenty of time to check that the ground and all equipment is safe
A free kick is simply a means of the giving the ball back to the team that had lost it unfairly. Referees should determine whether the foul was unfair, unsafe, dangerous, careless, reckless or serious and, if necessary, use the appropriate additional sanction such as:
• Quiet word
• Admonition
• Caution
• Send off
A careless challenge is lacking in care or attention
A reckless challenge is made with no regard for the safety of the opponent
An excessively forceful challenge has endangered the safety of an opponent
BODY LANGUAGE
This is an important tool for referees to demonstrate their authority, management and personality. It is
Not an explanation of the decision. It is shown in:
• Use of gestures
• Facial expression and eyes
• Use of space
• Signals – all with straight arm
• Whistle
• Voice
POSITIONING
During active play the referee should aim to be:
• Clear
• Close
• Side-on to challenges
• Looking through play towards an assistant referee
• Not interfering with play or players
• Using a wide, flexible diagonal
At set plays the following positions are recommended with accredited assistant referees
FREE KICKS and CORNER KICKS
- Near the mass of players
- A different viewing angle to the assistant referee
- In position for a counter attack
- Out of the players channels
USE OF THE WHISTLE
The use of the whistle is mandatory in the following situations
• To award a free kick
• To stop, suspend or terminate the game
• To restart play at:
- The start of each half
- After a goal has been scored
- Penalty kick
- Free kick defended by a wall
ADVANTAGE
Referees should try to let the game flow. In advantage situations they need to consider:
• Possession
• Position
• Possibility
• Pain
MANAGERS SHOULD THINK BEFORE SPEAKING
CORSHAM REF WEB SITE
By John Berry. Chippenham, Wiltshire, England.
The following is a letter sent in to one of my local newspapers the Gazette and Herald, and speaks for itself!
I had to blink when I read Devizes Town manager's comments on the referee for his team's match against Bitton,
(Gazette, February 1).
Paul Thompson's most crass statement was: "You can accept the odd errors." Oh, really! Which might they be? A foul throw? Or a dodgy goal kick? No, can I suggest the referee makes his odd error by disallowing a last minute goal for Devizes in a Championship-settling match!
Just how many errors does he think that his players make during a game? He says that if he made 10 mistakes in one day then he wouldn't be doing his job. On that basis let me assure him that his players are not doing their jobs. Mistakes are part of the game as they are made by humans, in the same way that referees are prone to mistakes.
He also complains that for verbally abusing him the referee sent off a Bitton player. I always thought that was one of the offences for which players could be dismissed.
Mr Thompson might be surprised to learn that referees, too, face pressure. Not only have they got to control the game, but they have to contend with the hostility of the crowd, and the likes of managers such as Mr Thompson shouting verbal abuse.
Like many managers Mr Thompson refuses to accept responsibility when his team loses. No matter that he got the tactics wrong; that his striker shot wide from three yards or that his defender gave away a needless penalty. What really matters is that the referee bears responsibility for such errors! If managers such as Mr Thompson wish to be taken seriously then they ought to think more carefully before uttering such rubbish.
Good on you John (from Julian Carosi)
Next issue of Full Time: Dealing with dogs while out on the jog by Peter Shackleton
Be Part of Full Time
Anything you want to see in Full Time be it a piece you would like to add, a funny moment you wish to share or points of law that you want clarified. Be part of Full time by sending you contribution to Wayne Buchanan or see Wayne most Monday nights.
If you know of referees that do not have email or cannot receive this newsletter then please let the RDO know – Alexandria has a list of members who prefer to have the magazine posted.
REFEREES’ MEETING
Monday night meetings: Grafton United Clubrooms at Victoria Park 7:30pm.
