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ORA'S CORNER 
 

    

   Mack Alarcon          ORA

  

 

 

    Bill Shelton       Assistant ORA
Mario H. "Mack" Alarcon is regarded as the "father" of Soccer in Florida.

In 1958, Mack created the first Soccer League in South East Florida and served as its President until 1965. During his tenure, he directed Florida's affiliation to the United States Soccer Federation(USSF), becoming its first representative, and served on the National Soccer Player Selection Committee. He is one of the first three Referees in Florida to register with the USSF. He also served as officer in the Board of Directors of the  Florida State Soccer Association (FSSA) and the Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA),  posts he holds to this day. He organized seven international soccer tournaments and convinced athletic directors and principals in various high schools and colleges in the Miami area to adopt soccer as a varsity sport and  he was awarded the Key to the City of Miami on two occasions.

In 1976, Mack was inducted in the FSSA's Hall Of Fame.

From 1977 to 1982, in addition to his regular duties, Mack volunteered to start a soccer program for inmates at the Miami Federal Correctional Institute as a means for rehabilitation. 

In 1989, Mack was inducted in the FYSA's Hall Of Fame and, in 1994, his 40 year career as Soccer pioneer and leader was celebrated in New-York resulting in his appointment as Ambassador of Soccer of Bolivia (from where Mack hails) to the FIFA USA'94 World Cup by the King "Pele" and Mastercard. 

As National Instructor and Assessor, Mack served as Referee Inspector in several international matches and co-authored the National Referee Assignor Program. He established the USSF's Overseas Referees Branch and today, when his busy schedule allows it, he instructs USSF Referees around the world.

 

237 Gentian Road, St. Augustine, FL 32086

                Tel/Fax: 904-797-2428

 Dr. Bill Shelton became the Overseas Branch Assistant Administrator in 1996.

Bill started his Soccer Referee career in 1981, relatively late at age 37, following a 6-year tour in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps.  He quickly climbed the ladder to reach the State Class 1 (05) Referee rank. As member of the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA), he has officiated both high school and college soccer and was selected to officiate in the State Finals on numerous occasions. He also represented the Florida State Referees Association at Region III Youth Tournament and officiated as Assistant Referee in professional leagues.

Today, Bill holds a State Emeritus 15 grade and is a certified State Instructor and Assessor.

Bill also serves as the Florida State Referee (FSR) Administrative Assistant, a post he has been holding since 1991. As such, Bill handles the registration, re-certification, finances and supplies for over 5000 active Referees, Instructors and Assessors.

 

          9833 Bridgeton Drive, Tampa, Fl. 33626

                         Tel: 813-920-9218

MEMORANDUM

15 August 2000                               

From:  Overseas Referees Branch Administrator

To:       Overseas Divisions

Subj:    Tackling

Read and adhere to the following from the US Soccer 2000 Memorandum on Instructions  for Referees and resolution affecting Team Coaches and Players. 

"Tackling, as such, is not an infringement of the Laws of the Game. It becomes an infringement only if the tackler plays carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force, or places his opponent in danger.

(a) A sliding tackle from the front or side, made with one or both legs, is permissible if, in the opinion of the Referee, it is not dangerous. If, however, the player making the tackle trips his opponent before, during, or after making contact with the ball, the Referee shall award a direct free kick to the opposing team. The Referee must judge whether an illegal trip occurred or whether the opponent fell over the leg of the player making a legal tackle.

(b) Tackling with the foot lifted from the ground may be dangerous, whether contact is made with the ball or not. A player who lifts his foot should be penalized if the Referee considers he is endangering an opponent by so doing. If the the player deliberately plays over the ball and makes contact with his opponent's leg, this is serious foul play and must be sanctioned with send-off (red card) and a direct free-kick.

(c)  Tackling with two feet together, studs up, if uncontrolled and from a distance, could be judged at least dangerous to the opponent and possibly reckless as well. If controlled from a short distance, there may be no danger.

(d)  A foul committed while tackling from behind, with little or no attempt to play the ball, endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sanctioned as serious foul play. The player must be sent from the field (red card) and play restarted with a direct free kick (or a penalty kick if comitted by a defender inside his own penalty area).  "

 

Mack Alarcon, ORA

 

 

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Mack Alarcon may be contacted via e-mail at:

[email protected]

Bill Shelton may be contacted via e-mail at:

[email protected]