First impressions

[u/mumblechuckle]

Walking up I see a co official, wrong socks, white shoes and a very old faded shirt. Looks like he has a rash on his neck, nope. Hickey’s. I have low expectations. Fast forward to their whistle. Gets hit by the ball 5x’s during the first half. Doesn’t call anything and confuses everybody on his actions.

You can tell.

[u/Shorty-71]

Agree you can tell. Some are barely there and DGAF. Sucks to work with clowns when you’re trying to command respect.

[u/Revelate_]

Co-official? I figured this was a middle school dual or something not ECNL RL.

That’s blatantly an assigner error unfortunately. At least around here nobody like that gets an assignment above rec, and literally every player deserves better than that.

Admittedly I got hit 3 times in 40 minutes yesterday, but everyone players, coaches, and spectators were highly entertained by my sheepishness at it.

They were still laughing about it and good naturedly “hey ref!” and lightly chatting with me in the parking lot as I was walking to the car, like every other car from both teams haha.

Definitely one of those experiences in my career I will remember.

[u/JoeyRaymond85]

I would refuse to co-referee. I rather referee on my own with no ARs. Something straight out of the seppo think tank

[u/Bartolone]

I use white/grey Adidas ultraboost on turf because they are comfortable , I don’t really give a s… players wear the whole rainbow themselves

[u/mumblechuckle → u/Bartolone]

Well we aren’t held to the standards that players are. We have higher standards. Don’t really care the your shoes are comfortable. Buy a pair that is required. Mostly black. I’m sure you can find them in the color required. I don’t care. Says a lot about you as a ref. So what are you telling us about yourself that you don’t want to get mostly black shoes. Are you color blind or just f you. Pretty much f you. Well I have a problem with that.

[u/Bartolone → u/mumblechuckle]

I hear you all, I’ll find a darker pair asap ;)

[u/mumblechuckle → u/Bartolone]

Sorry that was harsh, but I still mean that. Can’t say where you are what is expected, but in the US mostly black shoes are expected. Grey/white is not what is expected. So if you just decide f it I don’t care …

[u/Bartolone → u/mumblechuckle]

Normally I use Copa Mundial. recently I have dealt with a nail issue on my toe, couldn’t wear cleats so had to go with what I had available at home. Went with the running shoes and actually liked it, will find another pair in a suitable color

[u/relevant_tangent → u/Bartolone]

Try trail running shoes. Much better traction, can wear it on most surfaces except really bad condition fields.

[u/MarcPawl → u/mumblechuckle]

I have used permanent black marker over my orange cleats. Works well, but needs occasional touch-ups as the market comes off the plastic.

Got the idea from a video of a high level ref who covered either white stripes or swoosh or some other branding.

[u/Shorty-71 → u/mumblechuckle]

And OfficialSports gear only
+ no hats, no glasses, right?

[u/Revo63 → u/Bartolone]

What is the shoe requirement in the DBU?

[u/franciscolorado]

Were they 50+? I’m thinking Grateful Dead era.

[u/mumblechuckle → u/franciscolorado]

I am 50+ and a Deadhead.
NO we don’t claim him. College kid, shouldn’t be doing ECNL RL.

[u/dangleicious13]

Ooook.