The Ref Stop

My first line and my first taste of OA football.

JoeMaloney5

Well-Known Member
Level 7 Referee
Hi I've got my first line on Saturday in what will be my first experience of OA football . It's a cup game where 2nd in top league is playing 3rd in 2nd league.

Literally ANY advive would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
The Ref Stop
The best advice you can get is in the good book. Read the Positiining, Movement t and Teamwork section (PDF 18/19, pages 182 to 194). Then read it again.

The diagrams are very helpful.
 
Tell the referee in advance this is your first game. Any decent referee will give you a good, clear brief before the match and help you where possible. Know what the good book says as mentioned before and definitely look at the diagrams. Most importantly enjoy it! Mistakes will happen but its a good experience to learn from.
 
Read some old threads on here, some good advice pops up in most threads. We've all been there at the start and gone through the same thoughts.
Experience is the key for me, forget promotions or club marks or any of that stuff, thats not important just yet,,,,Most of all look, listen, learn....suck up the knowledge and experience as it can't be taught in a classroom...
 
Tell the referee in advance this is your first game. Any decent referee will give you a good, clear brief before the match and help you where possible. Know what the good book says as mentioned before and definitely look at the diagrams. Most importantly enjoy it! Mistakes will happen but its a good experience to learn from.

Good advice. However, in my 2nd AR appointment I was given 'dugouts'.
 
Good advice. However, in my 2nd AR appointment I was given 'dugouts'.

Thats tough, but a good experience if the ref has helped by giving clear instructions so you understand what you have to do. My first time as senior AR I had a penalty against the home team in my half of the pitch (although towards opposite side) after 20 seconds. Ref gave it. Spoke to me. I agreed with him. And it was a loooong afternoon listening to the home managers expert opinion on what he saw for the remaining 89 minutes...
 
You know the rules so just read up on positioning and go out and enjoy it.

Expect to hear the following several times throughout a game though

- Surely you could see that lino?
- Who was playing him on?
- That's gone!

It's also a great opportunity to observe and learn from a more experienced referee
 
Good advice. However, in my 2nd AR appointment I was given 'dugouts'.

I also had to flag for a 30 yard shot which went over the line. Baptism of fire but I preferred it to being on the other side with not much going on. I'd only just started reffing again and to drive for 90 mins to get there 90 mins before kick off and then the 90 min drive home after for about £20, it was nice to have some action! :)
 
You know the rules so just read up on positioning and go out and enjoy it.

Expect to hear the following several times throughout a game though

- Surely you could see that lino?
- Who was playing him on?
- That's gone!
You can add to that

- Come on lino, get involved! (Generally when the offence was 40 yards away well outside your credible zone)
- Stay in line lino! (Generally when you're in line with the ball which is ahead of the 'last man')
- Wake up, that was a foul throw! (Generally when the player throwing in has one or both feet slightly on the FOP)
- Learn the rules for god's sake! (Generally when the ball is overhanging the arc at a corner kick)

:wall::wow::wall:
 
Expect the unexpected.

As an AR, nothing might happen for 10 games... but then the GK will fumble a simple shot onto a post and dive back to get it... or a weird shot will come down off the bar... or a pass will get played backwards in the box to a player that started in offside position...

Remember to follow the ball when it is further back than the 2nd last defender. Anticipate shots and get closer to the goal.
Presume the GK will spill every catch.

And don’t stand still if players are running into you, you’ll only get black toes!
 
You can add to that

- Come on lino, get involved! (Generally when the offence was 40 yards away well outside your credible zone)
- Stay in line lino! (Generally when you're in line with the ball which is ahead of the 'last man')
- Wake up, that was a foul throw! (Generally when the player throwing in has one or both feet slightly on the FOP)
- Learn the rules for god's sake! (Generally when the ball is overhanging the arc at a corner kick)

:wall::wow::wall:
And if you are follically challenged such as myself expect a lot of bald b@5***d comments!!!
 
You know the rules so just read up on positioning and go out and enjoy it.

Expect to hear the following several times throughout a game though

- Surely you could see that lino?
- Who was playing him on?
- That's gone!

It's also a great opportunity to observe and learn from a more experienced referee


I agree - the first one is usually said when the 'incident' takes place about 5 yards from the referee, 10 yards from the other AR, 60 yards from you and 80 yards from the person saying it!;)

I had one last night, with almost those distances 'Was that not hand ball lino?' I replied 'I'm not passing comment on a decision that far from me'
 
Another one is 'Make your own mind up lino'

I'm not sure how they expect game to continue, if referee goes one way and the 'lino' insists on going the other!
 
After being over ruled by a ref on a foul (don't ask!!!) earlier this week I had "be more assertive lino". Yeh I'll just stand here waving my flag til he stops the game even though he has clearly turned me down... lol
 
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