Question Number: 15059

Mechanics 3/28/2007

RE: REC Under 16

Max Faulkner of Falls Church, Virginia USA asks...

I was just recently certified as a Grade 9 ref and i have my first two games coming up, two U14 girl's games. I scored well on the exam and feel like i have a strong grasp on the rules but i feel very nervous as it's completely different from the classroom to the field. What can i do to prepare myself?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Show up 30 minutes before game. Make sure you are wearing your full uniform and look professional. Shirt tucked in, socks pulled up, badge on, etc. Check teams in and start match on time. HAVE A GOOD PRE-GAME WITH YOUR OFFICIATING CREW. Blow the whistle loud enough and SHOW CONFIDENCE IN YOUR CALLS. Please read my article for additional info...http://www.asktheref.com/Soccer/Referee/Articles/32/

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Please tell me no one scheduled your first 2 games a center at U14! If they did, they are not doing their job and are doing you a disservice. That said, if you are in the center, have a detailed pregame with your ARs and tell them what you need them to do. If they are 8's and competent, let them call their quadrant and if you see they're keeping up with play, don't worry aboout offside. Ignore the parents. Talk to the players but don't let them be rude to you. Insist that proper substituion procedures are followed. If you make a mistake and realize it before play is restarted, make it right. We all make mistakes but it's our job to get it right. Sell your calls. Good luck and let us know how it went

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Max,
Being prepared does not mean you can not relax and enjoy the game. Nervousness is a normal sign for a new venture. The key to respect is it truly reflects in your attitude and work ethic just what importance you place on your character and the display of what knowledge you have as a PERCEPTION by those watching and playing!

While I concur with an early arrival, neat appearance and looking like you have a reason for being there! Remember to smile and APPEAR confident even if the guts are churning. Sort of a perception of how a duck floats effortlessly on the water but no one sees the feet churning away furiously underneath!

It takes time to understand that a match is a reflection of all who participate and the needs of that match and the reasons those that play are not the same as you have for officiating. You will develop a tolerance of what constitutes fair and foul play that will be contingent upon the NEEDS of the players and their acceptance of just what fair play is!

I have noticed newer referees suffer from one of two phobias
More scared of making a wrong decision than making a right one
or
Too busy with technical stuff, foot faults, poor throws, gotcha stuff than actual foul recognition!
My advice
BLOW the whistle to get their attention when it is required
If it looks unfair to you, it likely is, so call it.
Do not sweat the small stuff!

Respect will be there initially as the referee position tends to demand it but respect as an individual comes with earning it.
Stay with play so you can SELL your calls, know your restarts and only proceed with play when YOU are ready in uncertain or untidy situations.

Although many expect a referee to be perfect and then steadily improve. LOL ;o) Speaking as a COACH we appreciate ANY referee on the learning curve to show interest in the SAFETY of our players, makes a physical effort to stay with play and shows a good understanding of the laws and when they are to be implemented. We can forgive inexperience and agree to disagree with opinions but we are very intolerant of a perceived lack of concern or effort.

I like the old Cub Scout mottos, be prepared and do your best, hard to find fault in that! As a method of getting better find yourself a mentor, stay with ongoing training, stay fit and you are welcome to ask us lots of questions. A good pre game with your ARs or as an AR and a good post game wrap to go over the ifs? There will be good and bad days, just know, you know when you tried and if you did not!
Man who makes few mistakes does very little
Man who makes same mistakes knows very little!
Man who admits mistakes is never very little!
Cheers