Good Morning Players & Refs....
This will be a long email...And I apologize in advance, But please read this email carefully!
I have had lots of question since last night on a very important safety rule and the correct call... that I will try my best to clear up below.
The Definitions:
Tackle:
When a player wins the ball from an opponent by intercepting it without committing a foul.
(this is Legal in VR Adult soccer-obviously)
Slide Tackle:
a.) a tackle in soccer in which the defender slides on the ground and extends a leg in order to disrupt the play or get possession of the ball.
b.) an attempt to tackle the ball away from an opponent while sliding on the ground.
(This is Illegal in VR Adult Soccer)
The controversy:
The confusion (and exception to the rule) seems to be in the area of a player sliding or their feet leaving them in a manner (either intentionally or accidentally)
while said player was not in the process of tackling and the refs calling this as an infraction.
The key words are "NOT IN THE PROCESS OF TACKLING"
In this instance, this is not an infraction. (as long as a foul is not committed in the process)
The communication between myself and the refs may have been muddled in translation on the sliding part...causing a gray area here.
May the above definitions clear this up from here on.
And I apologize for any and all confusion related to this rule.
And once again, we always refer back to the golden rule....
(**) In the opinion of the referee, if the tackle endangers the safety of the opponent, it makes no difference if there is contact or not.
The Slide tackle as defined above will still result in a Yellow Card...and (2) yellow cards issued to the same player during a match will result in a sendoff (Red Card).
A Sendoff is defined as leaving the premises for the remainder of the match and also the next scheduled match.
Nobody wants this and I understand why the rule must be properly defined and I hope i have defined it clearly above...
If there are questions please ask me via email.
Playing Time
I realize we have a lot of competitive natured players who take winning very serious in this OPEN league...& that's OK, to a point....but lets don't get carried away here..
I have had complaints about playing time already, and honestly...WHY? There is no reason why this is an issue....
Managers, Please make sure that you are subbing your players accordingly...The (1) female rule is still in affect...and if you have no females, you play down (1)
Every attempt to get each player a half game's worth (25 minutes) of playing time should be made.
Everyone deserves to play;)
Extra Balls;)
We have accumulated quite a collection of balls in the woods...and I really regret it..My suggestions are to keep it low and accurate.
Other than that...please bring extra balls, Sorry.
Now to the referees themselves:
I will get on my soapbox for (1) minute...
And this is not in regards to the queries associated with the Slide tackling issue....Which was warranted (See Tactful Queries below)
My patience is wearing thin in regards to arguing with/complaining about my referees during and after a match...I will not tolerate it.
Yes, you are allowed to not agree with calls, & you may email me any complaints...But on the field...PLEASE DO NOT ARGUE WITH THE REFS...
THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO CARD YOU and THEY WILL.
All my Refs are certified by the state of Georgia and are all "R8" black badges..They are well experienced and learned in the game and I have full confidence in them.
For the price you the players have paid and the amount I pay them...We are definitely getting our monies worth..
I don't have a plethora of referees banging my doors down to ref adult soccer...So if you are one of the players complaining and nit picking...please feel free to take the R9 beginners Ref course for $80 that
requires two days of class instruction...then spend at least (1) full season as an R9 in order to qualify to take the R8 Black Badge course which costs another $85 and two more days of state instruction....
Then add at least 4 seasons of experience as R8's...Then you will be even with my least qualified Referee.
Its quite a commitment level isn't it?...and All my refs have done this...so please don't complain...direct any tactful queries to me in email...
Other than that, please keep the mouths closed...Play the game and have fun.
If the referees or the league itself is not satisfactory to you, Cobb & West Metro have adult leagues and will gladly allow more players at a substantially higher price & commute.
I will refund anyone at a prorated capacity, minus shirt price...But you will no longer be allowed to participate in VR Adult Soccer again.
(Stepping off Soap Box)
Managers, please print and distribute this email to all your players,
I will work on the Website during lunch to update standings & stats...should be done by tonight;)
Thank you all!
Paul Hale
VRAS