Three Soccer Officials Are Needed for Each Game

Concerning Sarah Smith’s Feb. 21 article on high school soccer officiating, “Soccer Gets Fresh Start From Officials.”

I’ve officiated soccer in Orange County at the AYSO, high school, adult and semi-professional levels for the past eight years. In spite of the occasional abuses, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the athletic competitiveness of the sport as well as the physical activity. However, I couldn’t agree more with Smith’s observations and analysis. This year I witnessed an attack on a colleague by an assistant coach. It was a chilling and sobering experience.

The various officiating associations are doing a commendable job in attracting, training and testing officials. However, more needs to be done. Referee training programs have not kept pace with the increase in sophisticated play at all levels, and, as Smith points out, there are just too few officials to assure adequate game control and coverage.

High-level play requires the three-man system--a center referee and two linesmen. With two officials, too much shoving, pushing and “ticky-tack” contact goes on in the center, often resulting in player retaliation--which may or may not be caught by the officials. If it isn’t, games get quickly out of control.

More referees are obviously needed. There are many fine players and coaches who could become strong referees, and from their rich experiences contribute significantly toward the improvement of officiating. But coaches, as models and teachers, must also improve efforts to learn and teach the rules and the spirit of the game to their players.

NATHANIEL LAMM

Santa Ana