World Cup referees outrun players

[bigdelta 46]

CNN) -- For two years leading up to the World Cup, Brian Hall exercised four hours almost every day.

 

He lifted weights, jogged, did interval training and monitored his heart rate while holding a day job. And years before that, he squeezed in workouts while working 8-to-7 office job as a vice president for procurement at Visa and a software director.

 

Hall had one goal: to make it to the World Cup as a referee.

 

Referees, who can be twice the age of the players, sprint across the field keeping up with the players and closely tracking the action. They tend to run 12 miles during the game -- five more than the players, according to data from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins June 11 in South Africa. Every four years, 32 countries compete for a month to be named the best soccer team in the world.

 

The journey to becoming a referee in the world's biggest sports event is physically demanding. FIFA, the governing body that oversees the tournament, sets rigorous fitness requirements for its World Cup referees in a weed-out process that began three years ago.

 

Unlike the elite soccer players who have a cadre of trainers and specialists, most of the referees have day jobs, like teaching or office work, and must find their own time to train.

 

"It is not an easy task competing with the best players in the world," said Hall, who was a referee in two 2002 World Cup games, about keeping pace.

 

Along with the physical demands, the paid referees also deal with mind games on the field. They scrutinize the theatrics, hear the tirades and tantrums of players. They also make crucial decisions knowing that every call will be second-guessed by millions of screaming fans, pundits and TV cameras.

 

They meet with sports psychologists to help them cope with the pressures, according to FIFA.

 

In 2007, FIFA ramped up its referee training by launching its Refereeing Assistance Program to prepare the candidates for 2010.

 

Because referees have to keep up with the speed of the game, they are subjected to two fitness tests to mimic the action on the soccer field. They are given the tests multiple times.

 

The first fitness test requires speed. A referee runs 40 meters six times. Each of the six sprints needs to be completed in 6.2 seconds for a male referee. He is allowed 1 minute and 30 seconds between each sprint.

 

The second test examines the referee's stamina in repeated high-intensity runs. He must run 150 meters in 30 seconds, and then must walk 50 meters in 35 seconds. This is repeated 20 times, which equals 10 laps around a track field. Assistant referees have less strict standards.

 

Last week, FIFA announced that two of the 30 referee trios selected to officiate at the World Cup would not be able to take part in the competition, because two assistant referees did not pass the fitness tests. There are no American referees at the tournament this year.

 

The fitness tests are nerve-wracking, said Hall, the last U.S. referee to officiate a World Cup game.

 

"Every time I took that fitness test, I didn't sleep very well the night before," he said. "You worry about getting injured. You worry the weather isn't good. The weather makes the test more difficult. Just those little things are factors that can negatively affect you."

 

To make sure they're physically capable, the referees constantly wear a watch that monitors their heart rates. The United States Soccer Federation follows the same guidelines for referees as FIFA, said Paul Tamberino, its director of referee development.

 

Although it may sound like overkill, Hall, who wore one, said monitoring makes sense.

 

"It's very difficult for officials without that guidance, without that Big Brother approach, to maintain the same fitness level as players are expected to maintain," Hall said.

 

Being in better shape could help in other facets of the job.

 

"You don't want a sore body to negatively impact your focus and your brain's ability to see something," he said. "The more tired your body is, the slower your brain works."

 

Referees also receive weekly training schedules.

 

"It's a training schedule that consists of long-distance running, interval training, along with nutrition," Tamberino said. "These guys are athletes as well. They follow the same training schedule, nutrition and hydration and get this info of what you should eat -- lots of protein, carbs, hardly any sugar."

 

The nutrition plans are specific, with foods such as eggs, oatmeal and cereal with 2 percent milk.

 

A year before the 2002 World Cup, Hall took a buyout from his company to devote more time to training.

 

Hall coached a high school team in Northern California and practiced side steps, sudden direction changes to replicate the movements in soccer. He would strength train at the gym and visit a physical therapist afterwards. He also got a workout while overseeing matches in other leagues.

 

The four-hour daily workouts were "a little loony," Hall said. "I tried to replicate much as possible what a player would do to prepare for the World Cup as a referee."

 

Even after intensive training, presiding over a World Cup game was exhausting. During the last 10 minutes of the match between Ecuador and Italy, he glanced at his heart rate monitor. It recorded 160 beats per minute -- the recommended level for a man in his 40s is 90 to 135 during exercise. Hall reached FIFA's mandatory retirement age of 45 in 2007.

 

Hall recalled watching enviously as the two teams made their substitutions and thinking, "I wish they could sub referees."

 

"You're working so hard because of the pressures of the World Cup," he said. "You take performance personally and stay close to the play to make the right call. That's not an easy thing. Again, that's why you spend so much time training... you take so much pride at coming [to the game] at the highest fitness level possible."

[Obsession 571]

It's hard to calculate , just how much fitter he is than rounders or netball players. I won't even mention rounders officials

 

The beautiful game - better at every level

[VicVegas 70]

[nidnoyham 30]

That baseball pitcher who recently got a perfect 11 opponents out.

 

What was the final score in that game ?

[VicVegas 70]

That baseball pitcher who recently got a perfect 11 opponents out.

 

What was the final score in that game ?

 

Well, if he "got a perfect 11 opponents out", that would mean he pitched 3 and 2/3 innings.

 

I love it when soccer fans try to talk US sports.

[nidnoyham 30]

Well, if he "got a perfect 11 opponents out", that would mean he pitched 3 and 2/3 innings.

 

I love it when soccer fans try to talk US sports.

 

 

It was something I read in the BKK post. I am sure it said his team won 1-0.

 

Was that one home run-to nil, or one game to nil ? Hardly exiting stuff is it ?

 

Pitched 3 and 2/3 innings ? I don't do statistics, they are for politicians.

 

It gives the fans something to talk about when the scores are low I suppose. Sort of pads the game out a bit.

[VicVegas 70]

It was something I read in the BKK post. I am sure it said his team won 1-0.

 

Was that one home run-to nil, or one game to nil ? Hardly exiting stuff is it ?

 

Pitched 3 and 2/3 innings ? I don't do statistics, they are for politicians.

 

It gives the fans something to talk about when the scores are low I suppose. Sort of pads the game out a bit.

 

Since you don't even know whether the "1" refers to a game or a home run, how can you speculate on the excitement of the game? Thanks for boosting my argument that soccer fans know nothing about the US sports they so love to criticize.

 

Of course you don't do statistics, they might reveal what a crappy sport you follow.

[bigdelta 46]

Since you don't even know whether the "1" refers to a game or a home run, how can you speculate on the excitement of the game? Thanks for boosting my argument that soccer fans know nothing about the US sports they so love to criticize.

 

Of course you don't do statistics, they might reveal what a crappy sport you follow.

How about the most boring "sport" of all time,cricket?How difficult can it be to hit a ball with flat bat.Try hitting it with a round one.

[nidnoyham 30]

How about the most boring "sport" of all time,cricket?How difficult can it be to hit a ball with flat bat.Try hitting it with a round one.

 

Try hitting it, when it has hit the ground first and may go in any direction, or height within the blink of an eye at high speed.

 

It is aimed at the stumps you are standing in front of. Not two feet from you. That is why cricketers where pads on their arms and legs.

 

If you miss it, it hits the stumps and you are out- no three chances there. You wouldn't want to face a cricket bowler in what they wear to bat, in Baseball.

[nidnoyham 30]

Oops- had a glitch !

Edited June 7, 2010 by nidnoyham

[nidnoyham 30]

Since you don't even know whether the "1" refers to a game or a home run, how can you speculate on the excitement of the game? Thanks for boosting my argument that soccer fans know nothing about the US sports they so love to criticize.

 

Of course you don't do statistics, they might reveal what a crappy sport you follow.

 

 

All I want to know is- was the score of the game 1-0 ? You know ! The same score as those boring soccer matches.

How right you are, you cannot speculate on the excitement of a game by the final score. I have been telling you that for ages.

 

As for me knowing nothing about US sport.... That makes me a member of one of the biggest clubs in the world.

[bigdelta 46]

Try hitting it, when it has hit the ground first and may go in any direction, or height within the blink of an eye at high speed.

 

It is aimed at the stumps you are standing in front of. Not two feet from you. That is why cricketers where pads on their arms and legs.

 

If you miss it, it hits the stumps and you are out- no three chances there. You wouldn't want to face a cricket bowler in what they wear to bat, in Baseball.

never been to a baseball game,huh?

[Obsession 571]

Thanks for boosting my argument that soccer fans know nothing about the US sports they so love to criticize.

 

You don't have an argument. Just a series of sour grapes and ignorance.

We don't mention your diddy sports until you start. They are an irrelevence in world sports. Get this through your head Vic. Nobody cares about your sports. They are the same as our girls sports. Get over it.

[packhike 13]

You don't have an argument. Just a series of sour grapes and ignorance.

We don't mention your diddy sports until you start. They are an irrelevence in world sports. Get this through your head Vic. Nobody cares about your sports. They are the same as our girls sports. Get over it.

Thank god we herer don't give a shit about soccer or cricket. Two of the stupidest "sports" ever....

Escpecially when a "sport" lets an actor play.....

"No, there isn't a gas leak in your house causing you to hallucinate. That really is actor Woody Harrelson hoisting a trophy while surrounded by the likes of Henrik Larsson, Mike Myers, and Zinedine Zidane (bald head behind Wayne Campbell) after scoring a match-winning penalty in front of more than 65,000 at Old Trafford in Manchester. Unless writing this post is all part of a fever dream of my own, that actually did happen."

Edited June 8, 2010 by packhike

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Thank god we herer don't give a shit about soccer or cricket. Two of the stupidest "sports" ever....

Escpecially when a "sport" lets an actor play.....

 

They raised over 2.5m quid for charity. And to be fair to Harrelson, they only let him play 12 minutes as a sub - and take a penalty. Apparently it suits the US players if the ball isn't actually moving when they attempt to kick it.

 

And I bet they do give a shit about 'soccer' in Kampangphet.

Edited June 8, 2010 by CheshireTom

[joekicker 53]

"No, there isn't a gas leak in your house causing you to hallucinate. That really is actor Woody Harrelson hoisting a trophy

 

Get a grip. This is not a joke.

 

Billy Crystal is the leadoff batter for the New York Yankees. And not a dollar went to the orphanage.

Edited June 8, 2010 by joekicker

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Get a grip. This is not a joke.

 

Billy Crystal is the leadoff batter for the New York Yankees. And not a dollar went to the orphanage.

 

A foot in mouth moment there from packhike methinks.

[packhike 13]

A foot in mouth moment there from packhike methinks.

No as I put MLB right there with cricket and fucking soccer or as you Brits call it "football". I just addressed cricket ( a European sport and threw soccer in there as another stupid European/World sport)

 

Now give me an exciting curling match anyday...

Edited June 9, 2010 by packhike

[joekicker 53]

Now give me an exciting curling match anyday...

 

We've got you covered there too, babe, with Celebrity Curling.

Edited June 9, 2010 by joekicker

[nidnoyham 30]

Now give me an exciting curling match anyday...

 

 

You'll have to grow a bit more hair.......

 

How are those grapes going down - Sour ???

[nidnoyham 30]

Another glich

Edited June 9, 2010 by nidnoyham

[VicVegas 70]

We don't mention your diddy sports until you start.

 

Oh really? Hmmm, I see the first post of this thread is a nice article about a soccer ref who is in great physical shape. Very interesting article.

 

The second post is this one:

 

It's hard to calculate , just how much fitter he is than rounders or netball players. I won't even mention rounders officials

 

The beautiful game - better at every level

 

You're the one who took the thread off topic with your rude comments about rounders and netball, neither of which had anything to do with the OP. Others might not realize it, but I of course realize that you love to refer to baseball and basketball as "rounders" and "netball". So you're the one who mentioned them, not I.

 

Obsession - Wrong Again.

[packhike 13]

Ever here of sarcasim.

 

As to sour grapes none at all. ANY sport that lets non-professionals play in a REAL match are for you dimwits.......

 

And I'll state it again Soccer, Cricket, MLB 3 of the most boring, stupid things to watch ever........But looking at some of the brain power on this board I get why some of you watch them.....You need things to go slow to match your brain speed..

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Ever here of sarcasim.

 

No. Have you?

[joekicker 53]

I know a little bit about soccer but I know quite a bit about baseball. If you think the brain power in baseball goes slow, then you DON'T know much about baseball. All you're doing, really, is proving how very simple it is to dismissively hate a sport you don't understand. Of course you can claim lots of silly things about soccer, baseball and cricket, but soccer, baseball and cricket don't even notice.

 

There are long lists of sports I don't care for, wouldn't and don't watch and would refuse to be paid to play them, not that anyone would offer of course. One of them is definitely cricket. That says nothing about cricket or the other sports on my long lists, only about me. And to complete the circle, my huge attention to and love of a sport also says nothing about the sport, only about me.

 

I certainly would never get in the face of a soccer fan and abuse him and try to run down his sport and love of the game until I'd walked a mile in his shoes. Then I'd be a mile away and he'd have no shoes to chase me.

 

.