The Goalie Trinity:
The Goalie Trinity.
Let us ponder the following three questions.
1. What is the worst thing that can happen to a player?
2. What is the most dangerous thing on the field of play?
3. How can a referee live with him/herself, if they fail to complete a thorough field of play inspection, and the worst thing happens?
The stark answers are as follows:
1. A player can die.
2. The goal framework can kill.
3. With the greatest of difficulty!
Let us go on, to picture the following scenario (not so rare as you might think).
A father, who is blissfully watching his young son enjoy his goalkeeping role for the village team, suddenly has his world destroyed, when the crossbar fatally crushes open the head of his son.
YOU are the referee.
YOU were responsible for thoroughly inspecting the field of play and the goals.
YOU have to look the father in the eye!
The Goalie Trinity
"In the game of the father, the son, and the goalie post."
It might sound humorous.
It is not meant to be.
It is written so that you will remember it.
When you next step onto a field of play as the referee, roll your eyes from left to right along the goal framework as you approach each goal, and envisage:
The left hand post as the father.
The crossbar as the son, that died.
The right hand post as the 'goalie post'.
"In the game of the father, the son, and the goalie post."
This will help to remind you of YOUR responsibilities as a referee.
Players continue to be killed, due to crossbars falling on their heads - the referee should therefore, never compromise players' safety concerning the structure of the goals. And neither should they sanction repairs that are not 100percent safe. If in any doubt as to the suitability and safety of a repaired or replacement crossbar, the referee MUST abandon the game. Tape, rope and wire are wonderful things, but they will not be able to hold the weight of the crossbar, or sustain a fiercely driven shot. Flimsy, unsubstantial anchoring stakes that supposedly secure portable goals, are also
a great danger, very often leading to the whole goal framework toppling over, causing serious damage (sometimes fatal) to players' skulls.
"His world is destroyed, when the crossbar fatally crushes open the head of his son."
Below, is the most important paragraph in the Laws of Associated Football.
It can be found at the end of Law 1.
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement."
So each time that you officiate in future games;
Think about The Goalie Trinity.
Think about how you would feel if this was your son.
Think about actually testing the goal framework, instead of ignoring them.
Never compromise players' safety concerning the structure of the goals.
Never allow unsatisfactory repairs in your game, or anyone else's game.
Never place yourself in this position.
The Goalie Trinity
"In the game of the father, the son, and the goalie post."
It might make you laugh or it might save a life. Remember it. Always.
Let us ponder the following three questions.
1. What is the worst thing that can happen to a player?
2. What is the most dangerous thing on the field of play?
3. How can a referee live with him/herself, if they fail to complete a thorough field of play inspection, and the worst thing happens?
The stark answers are as follows:
1. A player can die.
2. The goal framework can kill.
3. With the greatest of difficulty!
Let us go on, to picture the following scenario (not so rare as you might think).
A father, who is blissfully watching his young son enjoy his goalkeeping role for the village team, suddenly has his world destroyed, when the crossbar fatally crushes open the head of his son.
YOU are the referee.
YOU were responsible for thoroughly inspecting the field of play and the goals.
YOU have to look the father in the eye!
The Goalie Trinity
"In the game of the father, the son, and the goalie post."
It might sound humorous.
It is not meant to be.
It is written so that you will remember it.
When you next step onto a field of play as the referee, roll your eyes from left to right along the goal framework as you approach each goal, and envisage:
The left hand post as the father.
The crossbar as the son, that died.
The right hand post as the 'goalie post'.
"In the game of the father, the son, and the goalie post."
This will help to remind you of YOUR responsibilities as a referee.
Players continue to be killed, due to crossbars falling on their heads - the referee should therefore, never compromise players' safety concerning the structure of the goals. And neither should they sanction repairs that are not 100percent safe. If in any doubt as to the suitability and safety of a repaired or replacement crossbar, the referee MUST abandon the game. Tape, rope and wire are wonderful things, but they will not be able to hold the weight of the crossbar, or sustain a fiercely driven shot. Flimsy, unsubstantial anchoring stakes that supposedly secure portable goals, are also
a great danger, very often leading to the whole goal framework toppling over, causing serious damage (sometimes fatal) to players' skulls.
"His world is destroyed, when the crossbar fatally crushes open the head of his son."
Below, is the most important paragraph in the Laws of Associated Football.
It can be found at the end of Law 1.
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement."
So each time that you officiate in future games;
Think about The Goalie Trinity.
Think about how you would feel if this was your son.
Think about actually testing the goal framework, instead of ignoring them.
Never compromise players' safety concerning the structure of the goals.
Never allow unsatisfactory repairs in your game, or anyone else's game.
Never place yourself in this position.
The Goalie Trinity
"In the game of the father, the son, and the goalie post."
It might make you laugh or it might save a life. Remember it. Always.