Special Points of interest

• Interview with Richard Gilbert
• Interview with Dale Brasseur
• Referee of the Month: Brett and Erin Blayer
• John Bieniewicz Memorial Scholarship Recipient Interview
• Who’s Who: Jeff Dornseifer

Welcome to the February issue of the MRC newsletter. We hope all of you and your family and friends are continuing to stay safe.

As you can imagine, we have a lot of referee clinics. Almost every day, there is a class. It may be a brand-new ref class. Or it may be a recertification class. Remember that your referee license extension is only good if you attend a zoom session. Check out the MRC webpage for more details.

So far, six mentors have been certified through U.S. Soccer for their new mentor license. They are Brandon Barlog, Jim DeBrabander, Jeff Dornseifer, David Esshaki, Ron Grobbel, and Sue Grobbel. They will help the MRC administer mentor certification evaluation sessions. The entire process of creating an evaluation curriculum to actually evaluating candidates has been a collective effort. You can read more about this process below.

Erich Shewsbury was kind enough to invite me to one of his Zoom sessions on January 26. We focused on discussing offside, particularly interfering with an opponent. We used “proximity to the ball,” “proximity to the opponent,” and “a clear movement or action” as guiding tools to better understand how we, as referees, can judge when an offside player has an impact on the opponent. You can find the recording of the session here.

As always, our February newsletter is full of exciting stories and information. We are featuring Richard Gilbert as the MRC member of the month. We are also starting to feature past MRC members. We will start with Mr. Dale Brasseur, who was the SRA before Carlos. Our regular content includes Referees of the Month and Who’s Who. We are featuring Brett and Erin Blayer as the Referees of the Month, and Jeff Dornseifer for Who’s Who. We were able to interview Harrison Centner, a recipient of the John Bieniewicz Memorial Scholarship. Ken Wikle has an article about refereeing. Larry Olsen contributes an article about the regional referee recertification clinic that happened on January 23.

Beyond this newsletter, please be sure to follow our Twitter (@MichiganReferee) and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Inside this issue

• Gilbert Interview
• Brasseur Interview
• Referee of the Month: Brett and Erin Blayer
• A Big Thank-You
• John Bieniewicz Scholarship Recipient Monthly Interview
• Regional Referee Recertification Clinic Recap
• What is Your Call?
• Referee Mentor Development Program
• Tip of the Month
• Who’s Who: Jeff Dornseifer
• 12-10-4.5-2-1

For February, we interviewed the State Director of Futsal (SDF), Richard Gilbert.

When and how did you become involved in Futsal?

I attended the first clinic to train futsal referees in Michigan in the Fall of (I think) 2007. There were five of us, plus the great Shawn Soraghan as the instructor. None of us (including Shawn!) had actually seen a game before. The only test of the Laws of the Game of Futsal that was available was the FIFA Referee test. We all did horribly, but with Shawn’s help, we managed to pass. One of the five of us (I can’t remember his name) never refereed a single game. That first winter, the remaining four of us would do games at the Eastern Michigan University’s recreational center gym all day Saturday and Sunday. We made a lot of mistakes, but fortunately, the teams didn’t really know the Laws of Futsal very well either, so we all learned together. We easily did 100 games each that first season.

When and how did you become the SDF of Michigan?

As the sport grew in Michigan, and more leagues started up in Grand Rapids and Lansing, I thought it would be a good idea to try to coordinate activities across the state. I started bugging Carlos every fall at the State Referee recertification clinic that we needed someone to coordinate activities, act as a liaison to the U.S. Soccer in Chicago, make sure there was training, etc. After a few years of that, he called me and told me that since I wanted it to get done, he would have me do it. I think that was 2014.

How were you involved in Michigan soccer before you came the SDF?

In addition to being a referee (see below), when Bill Clock retired as District Director of Instruction for Metro-West, he asked Carlos to have me replace him. I also begged to be allowed to take the assessor course, knowing that at some point I would slow down (and I’m pretty slow to begin with!) and, since I love teaching and mentoring, that seemed like a great way to stay involved. Along the way, I also started assigning for the Ann Arbor adult league, so I guess I wear every possible hat in refereeing.

What are some of the major responsibilities as the SDF?

The most important thing is to make sure that there are consistent training opportunities around the state, so that the leagues have trained and certified referees. I work with SDFs in other states to implement best practices. I try to help mentor and train referees so that they can represent Michigan around the country.  Michigan has had some great referees represent us at both US Youth National Championships and U.S. Adult National Championships multiple times. We also have some of the best referees in the professional futsal leagues.

What do you enjoy the most about being the SDF?

Watching the sport grow from that one league, East Michigan Super-F, to leagues all over the state, with teams competing at the national level. I also really enjoy watching teams and players that play Futsal then play much, much better in outdoor games. It’s great training on how to make quick decisions and work in tight quarters.

What is your referee background? When did you start refereeing?

I played a bit in the late 70s / early 80s. Then I found myself coaching a youth team in the late 90s. The offside law had changed so much that I couldn’t seem to figure out what was going on, not that, as a player, I ever really knew the law in the first place. So I took the entry level class, and was lucky enough to have Vic West as my instructor. I started doing youth games, and in my second year, I got connected with a couple of guys who were Grade 7 referees. The three of us would referee a set of three games every Sunday for the old MDSL at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, so we would each get one game in the center, and two games as ARs. This is where I really learned how to referee, because those games could get pretty crazy. After a couple of years, I upgraded to a Grade 7 referee, and a few years later, upgraded to State/Regional.

What is your best memory of being a referee?

Getting to work with, spending time with, and getting to know a bunch of really great people who will be my friends forever. I remember at a clinic we did one of those “Six Word Story” exercises. Mine was “All my best friends are referees.” From an on-field perspective, figuring out how to con some of those Men’s games, like the Bosnians versus the Albanians, into playing soccer for 90 minutes without fighting. I remember I did a youth game, must have been in the Midwest Regional League, with Riz Milliken and Tony Delois (both National Referees) on my line. Once I got over the “what the hell am I doing with the whistle on this game?” it was amazing.

What is your best memory of being the SDF?

Helping organize the referees when the U.S. Adult National Championships were in Grand Rapids.  I even screwed up a call, indicating that the foul was not in the penalty area (Jake Brochu probably still has the video if you need a laugh), and the players accepted the call without argument.

What is the appeal of futsal that is different from soccer?

From a refereeing perspective, you are making what feels like a million decisions a second. The play is so fast, once you head back outside, it’s like everything is in slow motion. I think it makes you a better outdoor referee.

Do you have any advice for aspiring referees?

Work with as many people as you can. Ask for and listen to advice – it may not all be good advice, but there’s always something you can work into your game to make yourself better. Learn from your mistakes.

Thank you, Richard.

Thank you.

For the February newsletter, we also had an opportunity to interview Dale Brasseur, a former State Referee Administrator.

When and how did you become the SRA of Michigan? How long were you the SRA?

My appointment as State Referee Administrator (SRA) of Michigan by the Michigan Soccer Association and the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association began in 1993. Before that, I was acting State Referee Administrator after the previous SRA, Fred Barnes, stepped down. I was SRA for 7 years, stepping down in 2000.

How were you involved in Michigan soccer before you were the SRA?

My involvement in the U.S. Soccer program, from an administration standpoint, included serving as the District Director of Referee Instruction for Metro East and was also the State Referee Registrar. I was also a U.S. Soccer-licensed referee instructor, providing new referee classes and recertification clinics in the Metro Detroit Area. 

What did you enjoy the most about being the SRA?

It’s difficult to define what I enjoyed the most, since there were so many focus areas that I enjoyed. The areas included: improving the recertification program; developing a Young Referee Development Program; improving the efficiency of the business end of the SRA, including financial reporting and timely processing of licensing and badge distribution; and formalizing the process for upgrades. All these areas improved the referee program in Michigan during my tenure. 

What is your referee background? When did you start refereeing?

My referee career started in 1980. The Saginaw Township Youth Soccer program was growing and needed new referees to cover the games. I attended the local U.S. Soccer clinic, taught by Gerhard Mengel and Steve Olson. I was fortunate to advance to a Grade 5 referee, being one of the first in the state to attain that Grade with the new U.S. Soccer requirements of game count and running test. 

I was also a referee with MISOA (Collegiate Soccer), MHSAA, National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), and Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL). 

Do you still remain active in the refereeing world? If so, how?

The growing time requirements in my professional career necessitated the need for me to retire as a referee in 2013. 

What is your best memory of being a referee?

My best memory was referring a USISL Mid-Michigan Bucks game in Saginaw. It was important to me since I grew up in Saginaw and had attained that level of officiating. Additional, Jim McIntyre was my assessor at that game and had been a referee when I played soccer in High School, so it was important to me for him to see me referee at that level. Jim was one of my mentors over the years. 

What is your best memory of being the SRA?

Two things come to mind. Running the State Cup in Saginaw and seeing all the fields covered by referees that I knew and had helped develop over the years. The caliber of the referees and the assessors were second to none and the professionalism displayed by all involved was stellar. Coaches and parents were coming to the referee tent to voice their appreciation. It was one of my proudest moments not only for myself, but for the entire Michigan referee community. The other memory was being appointed to the Michigan Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 2008, mainly for my State Referee Administrator efforts. 

What made refereeing exciting/fun for you?

Working with younger referees at each game and providing feedback to them. I always gave feedback on professionalism and encouraged the younger referees to pursue advancing as a referee.  Refereeing games where the players (adult and youth) and coaches appreciated your efforts during the game made it enjoyable. 

Never wanting to forget where I came from, I also made sure to referee several Under 8 and Under 10 “house league” games each season. The purpose was to be part of a game where the kids just wanted to play, and they were thankful to have a referee at their game. I will never forget when I checked in one of the teams and the little boy said to me, “Wow! We have a real referee”.

Other than being the SRA, did you hold any other roles in the soccer world, including locally?

An avid fan of two very important women in my life; my granddaughter and my niece. I enjoy watching my granddaughter Ava Dolbee play soccer. I am very proud of my niece Meghan Brasseur and her accomplishments as a referee.       

Do you have any advice for aspiring referees?

Listen intently to feedback provided by your peers, instructors and assessors. Use your God given talents on the field to your advantage and don’t try to referee like someone else. You are unique and should use your background from your life experience and referee experience as well as a player to continuously improve as a referee. 

You are evaluated as a referee the moment that you enter the field before the match begins until the moment that you leave the field: your physical appearance; how you walk; how your talk, are all looked at by the players, coaches and spectators before the first whistle is blown. 

Before the match, use what you know about the teams to visualize and discuss potential situations and how you will handle them. Pre-match instruction is critical, as part of the referee team, to ensure that you will be operating as the third team at the match. 

During the match, function as the professionals that you are. As the Referee, fully utilize the Assistant Referees and Fourth Official (if present). Positioning and eye contact; verbal and non-verbal communication; proper and crisp signals are critical for a successful match.

After the match, review what worked and what didn’t either alone or as a team. When you identify things to improve, pick ONE thing to work on the next match. If you attempt to work on more than one thing, your odds of success diminish. 

Thank you, Dale.

Thank you.

After playing years of competitive soccer, I decided that moving to refereeing was a logical progression. Initially, I was nervous and was scared to be criticized, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life, and this upcoming season I will start my 8th year of refereeing. Listening to mentors and learning from older referees such as Andrew Hoard and Dena Conine has allowed me to improve my skills each year and move into higher level matches. Starting at local youth games, I now look forward to refereeing adult leagues, state cup weekend each year, and hope to move into regional games in the future.

The combination of COVID-19 and being a law school student at Marquette University in Milwaukee has limited the time I have to referee, but I relish the opportunity to continue refereeing when the pandemic ends.

We implore younger referees to take this time and work on their skills, learn from older refereeing mentors, and stay safe. Refereeing is one of the many ways I feel connected to the game of soccer. I have played my whole life, and follow international and club professional soccer very closely. I love that refereeing allows me to connect to the next generation of soccer players, as I feel I am able to help share and grow the game of soccer with the next generation.

As a soccer referee, there are many numbers we have to remember. Let’s review to make sure we understand some of the most fundamental numbers of the game.

12 yards: If you were lucky enough to have a penalty spot marked on the field, make sure the penalty spot is 12 yards away from the goal line. With a missing penalty mark, you could certainly play the game. If you awarded a penalty kick the referee could mark it off for the placement of the ball.

10 yards: This is the most important distance to remember and should be firmly planted in your brain for more than one restart! The center circle has a 10-yard radius. The penalty arc is also 10 yards in radius. Both of these should be marked on every field so players can see and honor the distance on kick offs and penalty kicks.

Ten yards is the distance opponents must retreat for a free kick. The referee must enforce this distance, if necessary, prior to the taking of a free kick. A ceremonial free kick may require the referee to pace off 10 yards for the placement of the “wall” prior to the kick.

Additionally, on a fully marked field, there are hash marks along the goal line and the touch line that are 10 yards from the corner arc (11 yards from the corner flag). These marks are off the field and are for the opponents to honor the 10-yard distance for the taking of a corner kick.

4.5 yards: This is a new distance to remember. All drop balls are now uncontested. The ball is to be dropped to one player only. To do this, all other players (opponents and teammates) must retreat 4.5 yards from the spot where the ball is to be dropped. This requirement is new and many players will not realize they have to retreat, so the referee must manage this before he drops the ball.

2 yards: Without this distance enforced, a player taking a throw in can be interfered with by an opponent making for a frustrating situation for the player with the ball. Opponents are required to be 2 yards from the thrower, a distance the referee must enforce, if necessary. Most new youth players are unaware of this requirement and may get it into their heads to encroach this distance and jump up and down to distract the thrower. Be ready for this and to step in and instruct them that this is not allowed within the 2-yard distance.

1 yard: When the defensive team sets up a wall of three or more players on a free kick, members of the attacking team must stay one yard away from the wall prior to the kick. Such walls are most often set when the kick is just outside the penalty area and there is a chance for the kicker to score directly. Prior to this law being introduced, referees had to deal with difficult situations a member of the kicking team decided they wanted to be part of the wall. Defenders did not like an opponent in their wall and it resulted in pushing and shoving and sometimes worse. If a wall only has only two players, an opponent may join the wall. I suspect that defending walls will most often have three players or more to make use of the law to keep opponents at least one yard away.

Please reach out to us!

If you have any referee-related stories to share or someone you think should be featured in this newsletter, please reach out to us at sdi@michiganrefs.org.