>>http://deadspin.com/what-might-happen-if-a-football-coach-coached-soccer-1012841849
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>Funny! Thanks.
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>My two favorite parts are his definition of wanker and the scene where he is hounding an AR for the definition of offside. I know from personal experience the latter is true. It's the one soccer rule many American soccer parents think they understand -- and they don't. One funny memory is from an AYSO national tournament game several years ago in which I was an AR (sideline ref to those who don't know the acronym). A player was offside and I popped the flag. The receiving player had burst into the clear, so there were some parents, one guy in particular, who were not pleased by the call. During the next break in play I went down and talked to him, amiably. I have always been amiable while refereeing; kids playing a game on green grass, what's not to like? I said you are of course free to express your opinion but please consider this. I was dead even with the second to last defender, exactly where I was supposed to be. Your guy was offside. You're 40 yards back sitting in a lawn chair and you want to argue the call? He smiled, we shook hands, and then we all went back to the match.
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Always surprises me how hot-under-the-collar some parents get in defence of their offspring :-}

>It has been several years since I refereed. I miss it and if I can get back in some modicum of physical condition I intend to get back involved.
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>Speaking of physical shape, have you already done your mega bike ride this year or is it still coming up?

Done (early July). From Mont Blanc, round the Italian lakes and down to Venice. Then Trieste into Slovenia and up to Budapest.
Did a Nick though and wrote my bike off on the first day. Bought a new one and back on the road in 3hrs! :-}