Columbus Soccer Ref

I’m currently a Grade 7, but for the last couple years I’ve elected to do my recertification during the Grade 6 makeup recert in the fall.  Because Ohio South is changing their recert procedures, I probably won’t be able to do that again.  But all the same, getting the instruction that the 6s get has helped me immensely.  At the state referee clinic I attended in November, one particular module caught my attention and impressed me.  The SDA gave a presentation on “Inheritance & Bequeathment”.  So I can’t claim ownership of the concepts.

Inheritance is what we receive from other referees.  How many times have we heard from players or coaches “But the last ref never called that” or “No referee ever cards for that”.  My personal favorite is “They (kicking team on a free kick) have to ask for 10 yards” - see my entry from May 30 2008 here.  These reactions are a result of the referees who have officiated these teams before not enforcing the Laws properly.  Even at the highest levels of play in Ohio South, I’m consistently amazed at the lack of knowledge of the Laws of The Game on the part of players and coaches.  By not enforcing the Laws properly, referees are often responsible for perpetuating this lack of knowledge.  By not enforcing the Laws properly, it allows myths like the “Have to ask for 10 yards” myth to grow.  By not enforcing the Laws properly, a referee often inherits players with a lack of knowledge of the Laws and corresponding expectations.

Bequeathment is, as you’d guess, what we pass on to the referee who next works with these teams.  By not falling prey to the 10-yard myth. . .by working to prevent delayed restarts. . .by making sure throw-ins are taken from the spot where the ball went into touch. . .by recognizing and cautioning for tactical fouls. . .these are all things that I try to pass on - bequeath - to the next referee through the players and coaches in my matches.  I can only hope that after my match, the teams have a little better understanding of the LoTG and I can only have faith that the next referee will also enforce the LoTG properly so that the lack of knowledge doesn’t perpetuate and the myths don’t continue to grow.

So. . .remember that the collection of referees is a community.  Think about what you’re bequeathing when you selectively enforce the Laws. . .think about what you’re passing on when you choose not to show a card for actions that are 100% misconduct. . .and think about what you pass on when you allow myths to continue and grow.  Think about what you’re bequeathing - and the next guy, in turn, will be inheriting.