Interesting point about red cards. I have a referee coach who ref'd at a high level and says he only gave 3 or 4 cards in his entire career. By the point in that particular season I'd already given 3, and it was only September (none since I add.....). The game is refereed differently today than 20 or 30 years ago, less tolerance for punches, but maybe more tolerance for lower level dissent? I'd say generally there are more RCs due to focus on things like high tackles, tackles in the air etc. where you are left with no option.
I find I am harsher on fighting than most referees, connect with a punch and you're going, I don't care if it was a glancing blow to the stomach or a haymaker, throwing punches in unacceptable in my book, it's not acceptable in an office or pub and it's not acceptable on my pitch. I'm even tempted sometimes to RC a swing and a miss (why should the outcome rule the decision, or maybe I shouldn't go there!). On the other hand I'm not as severe on dissent as I should be. I'm happy with my level for fighting, I want to be stronger on dissent.
Averages? Maybe 1 RC every 15 games (1-3 a season over the past 5 years, 25-30 games a season), YC probably below average maybe 1 every 3 games, again probably something I need to be a bit harder generally (repeated infringements, reckless HT, dissent etc.). All a work in progress.
