Have you ever stood in the center of a storm, making split-second decisions that could turn the tide? Welcome to my world, David Gerson, where the whistle's blast is my thunder. This episode takes you behind the scenes of my state cup refereeing adventures, where I own up to my blunders and share the invaluable advice tossed my way. I've been polishing my craft with tips from the pros, like honing my whistle's melody and mastering strategic placement during set pieces. It's a journey of growt...

Ever woken up drenched in sweat from a nightmare that felt too real? I'm David Gerson, and that's exactly how my day started before a state cup game, with a dream that left me shirtless and unprepared facing the assessor's daunting presence. Tune in as I recount this chilling referee nightmare and its roots in the true pressures of officiating. But it's not all about the stress; join me as I translate the rigorous discipline and communication prowess required on the soccer field to invaluable...

Emerging unscathed from a brush with mortality, I was slapped with the stark reality of life's fleeting nature. The terror of a near-fatal car accident evolved into an overwhelming torrent of gratitude, serving as the cornerstone of today's soul-stirring discourse. Beyond the harrowing tales of survival, I regale you with the triumphs of my professional world—from orchestrating a marketing campaign that soared beyond expectations to embracing the joy found in the whistle and flag of a soccer...

Ever wondered how the web of youth soccer organizations operates in the U.S.? Tune in as Matt Bernard of US Club Soccer joins us to untangle the intriguing complexities of the system. Together, we scrutinize the unique roles of different entities, from local leagues to national powerhouses like the ECNL and National Premier League. Discover how these organizations affect the competitive youth soccer scene and what the explosion of leagues means for local communities. It's a revealing look...

Ever wondered what drives a seasoned journalist like Kai Ryssdal to swap his microphone for a soccer referee's whistle? In an unexpected twist, Kai joins me to share his zest for the game and how the intellectual rigor and physical challenge of refereeing invigorate him. We navigate through the parallels of his media career and life on the pitch, uncovering the profound impact a referee can have on young athletes. His compelling narrative is a siren call to those pondering the whistle,...

Ever wondered why football referees are often the unsung heroes of the beautiful game? Prepare to unravel the mysteries of the whistle with Adam Humphries from the Red or Yellow Refereeing podcast, as we explore the intricacies of football refereeing that go far beyond the rulebook. From the grassroots to the semi-pros, we dissect the practical learning curve officials face and the innovative ways they're connecting with the next generation through platforms like TikTok. Plus, we discuss the...

As I stand on the brink of my 49th year, David Gerson here, I'm filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and an insatiable yearning for the next great adventure. This episode is all about celebrating those personal milestones and the intricate dance of soccer refereeing. I'm sharing my journey toward the big 5-0, contemplating the allure of solo trips to Iceland or Patagonia, and inviting you to weigh in with your travel pearls of wisdom. Plus, we unpack the contentious no-call from the...

Have you ever witnessed the harsh realities young referees face within the beautiful game? Our latest discussion brings to the forefront the pressing need to shield our youth officials from escalating verbal abuse and to foster an environment of respect on the playing field. Sharing my own presentation for Soccer in the Streets, I delve into the steep learning curve and alarming dropout rates among young referees, underscoring the parallel necessity to safeguard them just as we would any...

Ever felt the pulse of the soccer pitch quicken at the flash of a referee's card? The introduction of IFAB's blue card might just send that pulse skyrocketing. Join me as I navigate the nuances of this game-changing decision and share my unique perspective gained from mentoring fresh-faced referees. We'll examine the blue card's intended role in penalizing offenses that aren't quite red, but more severe than yellow, and how this new element is stirring the pot across the soccer community....

I had the honor and privilege to interview Peter Manokski, President of the PRSA.  The PRSA is the Professional Referee Organizing body that represents MLS, USL, NWSL and CSA Referees. Recently, their membership has unanimously voted to authorize a strike if a deal is not made with PRO, their employer that represents the MLS. They are working to improve the working conditions for the referees. Many people have no idea the mental and physical burden of what it takes to be a professional...

I was absolute rocked to my core listening to a young referee describe the offensive verbal abuse she received at a High School Soccer match this past week in Southern California. Unfortunately,  these stories are far too common. In the moment, it can hard to tell what is common outbursts of emotion, dissent or OFFINABUS language. Additionally, it can be hard to summon the courage to confront that abuse head on.  By discussing this and sharing this story, I hope we can all get stronger...

This week we will look back at my personal  life as a referee in 2023, what I hope to achieve in 2024 and some of the new rule changes coming to the MLS next season . We'll end with a few notes from the mail bag. I wish you al the best in your upcoming 2024 season off and on the pitch! Happy New Year!

Why can't we be more open with the considerations used by our best referees? Why can't we tell the general public? Why can't we do a better job of educating those we need to understand the laws of the game and how to apply them? It's time for referees and mentors to open up and bring other people in. It's time for clubs to invest resources in the referees who ref at their clubs. It's time for us all to do more to share our knowledge for the betterment of the game for everybody.

I had so much fun yesterday reffing Futsal. It is similar in some ways to reffing soccer, but extremely fast paced and with some very unique rules. Although I had done it before, it has been a few years and there was quite a learning curve. If we want to speed up the game of soccer, we could learn a thing or two from our Futsal friends. It was non-stop action.  I also will answer a letter from the mail bag about how reffing plays into my financial stability. It's not a full time job for me...

A few weeks ago, I tried to pass the FIFA fitness test to become eligible for promotion to Regional. If you are not familiar, this is the next step in the path of promotion for referees here in the United States. On the same day, I also participated in the on-field training course needed to become a Referee Mentor. I am only a few weeks away from completing all of my assignments and getting my mentor certification.

Mistakes are learning opportunities. When we make a mistake, it gives us a chance to learn.  All of the greatest athletes, entrepreneurs and and politicians have faced spectacular defeats and disappointments in their careers. That is not defines them though. Can you imagine if we let the Copa America and World losses that Messi experienced in his career define him? Crazy talk. He is the goat because who experienced painful losses and defeat and found a way to persevere! When we make...

The work you do pre-game can prepare you for success during the game. Have a routine or just a mental checklist of good things to do before the first whistle can settle your mind and body and enable you to do your best during the match as a referee. 

It's time to break down the massive VAR controversary that broke the internet a few weeks back. It was so avoidable, it hurts. I'm going to talk about how it could've been avoided and what contributed to all of the Liverpool controversies on the day. Additionally, I want to share the worst phrase you can say to me in Pre-game. It is almost always an indicator of a difficult match ahead.  Lastly, we'll hit the mail bag. I got a doozy this week! ;-> BuzzcastKeep up to date on the latest...

This week we'll go over the wonderful world of Middle School Soccer and many more topics including Body Cams and what I say in my pre-match conversation with players. . I sincerely enjoy getting to meet and interact with people from allover the world. If you have any questions for me, please send them to [email protected]

It's time for transparency and openness. It kills me to hear all of the criticism of our fellow professional referees. I know people will say that they get paid well enough and that is part of the territory, but when pro refs look bad, it makes all refs look bad. This week, we'll take a look back at some of the most controversial calls of the first few weeks. 

I just spent 2 days reffing at a local summer tournament. I enjoyed myself, made a great call and an iffy call, but there were also a few things that irked me.  We'll also discuss referee uniforms and Safesport training. 

I had the honor and privilege of speaking at the National Association for Women's Gymnastics Judges in Grand Rapids, Michigan this past weekend. It was their 50th anniversary and an all around amazing event.  I spoke about referee / judge abuse, why it happens and how to potentially deal with it. The message was well received and I hope I was able to set them on a positive path forward. I hope I get to work with this organization and many others again in the future. 

I had the honor and privilege to be invited to speak at the National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges at their National Symposium in Grand Rapids, MI. This event happens once every 4 years. It is a celebration filled of learning, development, networking and establishing the values for their membership every four years. I was specifically there to address abuse of officials, why it happens and how to potentially deal with it. I think it went great! This podcast will cover some of the...

I had a blast connecting with Ahmed Rehan, a Grassroots Referee in Scotland. He is known as the The Football Referee on TikTok. Love his channel for raw behind the scenes footage of being a ref. 

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with the guys behind the Marketing Mad Men Podcast. We talked AI, TikTok, Content Marketing and eventually worked our way into Refs Need Love Too. It was a fascinating conversation that I hope you will enjoy. Let me know if you want to hear the first half too!!! It's Marketing nerd stuff, but I think it's fascinating. :->