Into The book - Episode 15,March 2025
Into the Book - Episode 15
We’re into the season full steam ahead! UPSL has started with 40 teams in the in the Mid Atlantic Division along with with NCSL league bring in 7 teams this season. This brings the total of team in North Carolina that are playing for an Open Cup eligible team to 39! 8 of the teams for UPSL are located in South Carolina or Virginia. This means it will be a busy season for teams, referees and soccer fans in North Carolina!
We’re excited to work with many of you across the state and best of luck in Spring 2025! Let’s get Into The Book again!
It’s the start of the Season, let’s get moving!
Referee Movement
In our first episode of 2025 we’re going to talk about movement, anticipating and reading what the players are doing. Hard work is always important as a referee, we want you to not only work hard we want you to work smart as well.
Video 1
Video 2
As we start this video we can that white has possession and red has locked them into the sideline. The referee does a good job to recognize the pressure on the sideline and positions himself outside the block of players and close enough to see and respond to any foul in this area. A foul in this area is important because it is right in front of the team bench and will cause problems if it happens.
White passes out of the pressure by going back and initially looks to be out of the pressure. This is where we see the referee relax. He sees that white is now not under pressure. This is the moment as referees we should scan to our right to see what could come. When a team has created good defensive pressure on the sideline they probably won’t let us pressure and want to cause a turnover.
We see the pressure come from the red attacker. We must expect this to happen. The referee, because of his previous movement, is in good position and does see the pressure and reacts to make sure he can see contact. If we anticipate this action by red then we can have anticipatory movement instead of reactionary.
The referee does a good job to see the sideline pressure and move to see the pressure on the Goal Keeper.
In this video let’s focus on the cues that player’s give us about pressure.
First, the ball is played over the top of the back line of white defenders. As white controls the ball the two closest blue players create pressure forcing a pass pack to the keeper. An additional blue player in the central part of the field applies pressure to what would be the Goal Keeper’s first passing option. This tells us the GK has no great passing options.
The primary cue that we’re going to focus on is the highest striker for blue. As soon as white controls the ball and faces his own goal the blue striker applies fast pressure. Referees must read this an start to work back, assuming there will be some type of challenge on the ball. Assistant Referees, as soon as this pressure is applied you need to know that the only option is to go back to the GK. You MUST follow the ball back to the GK as an AR, ALWAYS! Our next cue, for Referee and Assistant Referee, is the same blue sticker speeds up. He shows that he has no intention of slowing down and is going to pressure the GK. This is a high decision area for both the Referee and AR. Most of the time you will have a Penalty / No Penalty decision in this area and AR will have a Goal / No Goal situation.
Read the player cues and anticipate that you will have to make a decision.
Video 3
When it comes to positioning and movement, one of the most important parts is to…be moving. It sounds easy enough right? Often times it is not. It’s natural to stop or slow down while we think and process what is happening in our games. This can make movement challenging at times.
The referee is positioned well to see the initial challenges. While these challenges are happening we need to be on our toes, ready to move for the next phase of play as the ball moves or a foul happens. In this clip the referee gets caught flat footed and as he processes the play and then begins to move. Because of this at the moment a potential Penalty Area decision comes he ends up being too far away.
We’ve all been in places where we try to continue our run to make us look like we were close to the spot when players look over at is. This never beats proactive movement.
Remember, constant movement, anticipate and read the cues will help put you into position.
Video 4
We’re going to focus on two parts of this clip. The play on the sideline and the transition towards the Penalty Area.
The referee does a good job, with play on the sideline, to be close enough and between the player lanes to see into the Red attacker with the ball. It is important to also be aware of the attackers around you. When play is on the side, put yourself outside the block of players to be out of player space.
initially the referee takes good side steps and stays on his toes. Continue this type of predatory movement. As soon as he get comfortable and begins walking it can be dangerous here. He stays on his toes which allows him to then take a quick, direct line into what could be a penalty area decision.
While there is not decision to be made in the end, if there was he would have had a clear view and been in close proximity to the foul.
Our movement as referees and assistant referees is what will get us to make the decisions. Actually making the decision is the final piece that puts everything else we do together. Movement comes first. Movement puts us into the position we choose to take and our position is what will allow us to have the best view to make the decision.