Hints and Tips on becoming a referee:

 

• Be the best you can be.

• Football reflects life with good and bad days; enjoy the good, brush off the bad and go again.

• There is no substitute for hard work.

• Enjoy the wonderful game of football.

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Be the best you can be – that way you will prepare yourself for every match as though it is a World Cup match. The game is about the players and the fans – not about us. There are times when we must make big decisions and have to be courageous enough to do so. However, we need to also be humble enough to know that the game is for the players and the fans.

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It is also important to realise that football reflects life itself. There are good days and some bad days. There are days where we are human and make some poor decisions. However, there are some fantastic days where our matches go so very well. Ride the wave and don’t think you’ll never make a mistake. Those mistakes happen for a reason – to give you the opportunity to experience failure, but to come back even bigger and stronger. Do not dwell in your mistakes as they can often lead to a number of other mistakes.

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Lastly, there is no substitute for hard work. No one else is going to go out do the hard training sessions for you. Make the sacrifices to achieve what you want. If you want it bad enough, be patient as it may take a while to achieve it.

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Try to read the game, this will enable you to get yourself into the best possible position to make any decisions you may need to make.

• Recognise the developing play!

• Regain position.

• The early reaction (anticipation)

• Follow the attack.

• The end positioning.

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​Being in the right position is more than being able to run fast. You need to be able to anticipate on the situation and choose your position smartly. The Concacaf experts give you three simple tips for anticipating counter attacks as referees:

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• Do not immediately go wide and deep. Keep behind play, not in front of the ball. This gives you space so it will be easier to adapt to situations.​

• Create the best angle of vision. It must be easy for you to make the right calls by moving to the left or right.​Think ahead. Consider the player’s passing options. If you have an idea where the ball might go you can anticipate that and move already towards the position where the next challenge will be. So be aware of players and open spaces.

• Always be alert and focused. If there is a counter-attack, focus on that and ignore previous situations that are not relevant anymore. (Check out some 7 tips to stay focused for 90 minutes)​

• Keep moving. Don’t start running around like crazy, even walking is fine. But when you’re on the move it’s easier to change direction or accelerate than when you’re standing still. It makes you more flexible in your movements.​
   

How do you keep fit enough to be able to anticipate on counter-attacks? How often do you train?
 

• Do not immediately go wide and deep. Keep behind play, not in front of the ball.

• Create the best angle of vision. It must be easy for you to make the right calls by moving to the left or right.

• Think ahead.

• Always be alert and focused.

• Keep moving.

• Always look at the assistant if you have them for offsides, so you can stop play immediately.

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Pre match advice 

Turn up promptly and introduce yourself to the managers
Carry out your pitch inspection point anything out to the home team manager.

• Watch the warm-up, as you get to see and understand players personalities that they may bring on to the field of play.

• Will you be going with a pre match chat or not?

• Be prepared i.e. clean kit.

• Get team sheet as early as you can.

• Get a warmed up even if it is a light jog.

• Be ready for anything from you blow whistle.

• Be confident, be calm and enjoy yourself!

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Every referee is expected to adhere to these standards throughout their professional career. As defined by the FA, these values are as follows:

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RESPECT – whether this is respect for the game, the Laws of the Game, the people involved, or the rules and regulations, a referee must always be respectful.
EMPATHY – the best referee is not the ones who can turn off their emotions but the one who understands the needs of the match.
FITNESS – a referee needs to be able to keep up with the match, so physical fitness is an absolute must. Don’t forget, the most controversial moments tend to happen in the final minutes. You need to be ready for anything at any time.
EVALUATION – It is important to be able to evaluate specific in-match incidents as well as the general feeling of a game. The best referees will adjust their approach depending on the needs of a particular game.
RELIABILITY – The referee needs to be a dependable presence both on and off the field. They need to take control when major incidents (like serious injuries) occur and when sticking to the rules. Off the field, they need to continue this level of professionalism.
EDUCATION – There is always room to develop and the best referees are the ones who are always willing to learn. In order to be the best, you need to be ready to grow and take advice from others.
EXCELLENCE – Above all else, the basic value of English refereeing is the desire to achieve excellence.

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Trust Your Decisions

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As a referee, every decision you make has a major impact on the game and the players. You have to be ready for the opposition to question every call. With so many people telling you that you’re wrong it can be easy to shy away. You need to trust your decision and ignore the doubt that creeps in.

 

The great referees have a bulletproof sense of certainty that doesn’t allow them (at least during the game) to consider that they might be wrong… The split-second decision-making is the hardest skill. If you’ve started thinking, you’re already too late.
 

In order to be the best referee, you need to be able to react as soon as you spot something.

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Take a Step Back
 

It’s important to be able to understand when you need to step in and when you don’t. Your job may be to keep control but, ultimately, you have to respect the game. A good referee will know when they need to make a move and when they can just let players play.

 

The Right Kit
 

The final step in becoming the best referee you can be and looking the part is; Every good referee will be prepared for every match to ensure they are ready for anything. As standard, every referee must go into their game with several essential pieces of kit:

 

 COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT:

 

• Whistle – at least one but we’d say it’s always worth having a spare.

• Watch – you’re going to need at least one watch to keep track of time.

• Red and yellow cards – what kind of referee is going to leave home without them?

• Notebook and pencils – so you’ve got a way of keeping a record of the match.

• Coin – How will you determine the start of the game.
   

It is good practice to have a spare of each of the above in your bag so you are covered for any event.

 

During the game

 

• Signals should be deliberate and sharp.

• Be clear in communications ‘Red Throw’ ‘Blue Throw’ ‘Corner’ ‘Free kick’

• Be Strong and clear with hand signal, straight are and confident.

• Stay in control, keep calm!

• NEVER go back on your decision, stay strong do not get influenced. (even if you could be wrong, if you go back on someone say so, they will question integrity on every decision)

• Do not become overly friendly with players, coaches. Be friendly and polite but not over friendly, this could cause you issues when you make decisions.  ‘Ref- you only give that cause you know them’ or even  ‘Ref come on thought we were friends’

• Do not blow your whistle in anticipation of a foul.

• Don’t “yell” at a player because he is “yelling”

• Be respectful when you talk to players and managers at all times

• Do not get distracted by shouts from all over the pitch, you must remain focused on play.

• Know the team captains by number. If you are the referee, it’s not a bad idea to know them by name also. This way if you need to talk to them about the teams conduct you can, it’s a good tool to have before you issue cards and sanctions

• If you think it’s a card issue a card

• Remember that players get excited and emotional. You must be poised and calm.

• At the end of the game, make sure you are in a good position to oversee the respect handshake so you are in good position to deal with any incidents that may occur.

• Each team should have a respect marshal*, During the game if you feel parents are getting out of control, your first reference point is to speak to the respect marshal’s and ask them to control this situation.

• Appearance counts, look and act like an official.!!!

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After the game
 

• Ensure any bookings, or misconduct reports MUST be logged on Whole Game System*

• If there are misconducts, when you complete the WGS send a report to your ref sec for future reference for WJYL purposes. (Note: All disciplinary is taken care of by TheFA)

• If you need support with any misconduct reporting and what you need to write to ensure its clear please ask one of the ref secs, we will always support you.

• Misconduct reports also stretch to parents, In first instance give the respect marshal the opportunity to resolve any conflict, if anything continues that you deem to be unacceptable, then you must file a misconduct report using WGS also.

• Keep up to date with any law changes, If you are not sure about the interpretation of any law, ask.  In WJYL we have several senior referees, some of which have been professional and refereed at the highest levels. They are always happy to help, failing that your ref coordinator at TheFA will also be more than happy to support.

• Attend organised FA, County and League events!

• If you feel a Manager, or a group of parents were not great, but didn’t really warrant a misconduct, you must inform your referee secretary who monitor teams.

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​IF YOU HAVE SUFFERED ANY ABUSE THIS MUST ALWAYS BE REPORTED, DO NOT BE SCARED TO SUBMIT REPORTS, DO NOT GO HOME AND ‘FORGET ABOUT IT’, ‘DON’T WORRY NEXT WEEK WILL BE BETTER’,’THAT WAS A ONE OFF’ AND SO ON.  IF YOU DON’T REPORT IT THERE IS A CHANGE ANOTHER REFEREE WILL BE SUBJECT TO UNSAVOURY BEHAVIOUR, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT SUCH EVENTS TO HELP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER WHICH WILL IN RETURN REDUCE ANY FUTHER INCIDENTS

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