What’s your Ref routine?

[RobOda]

Arrive an hour before - I know some think it is excessive, but this is how I've been taught, aim to get there an hour before, so if there's traffic or there's an issue, you have time to spare.

Find the changing rooms, hand out the team sheets even though it's the club's duty to do so (I can count on one hand clubs that fulfil this rule), inspect pitch, watch players for obvious issues with kit etc during warm up, do my own warm up, back in the room at 15mins to collect sheet and write up my paper/cards, out on the pitch for coin toss five minutes before and we're off.

Getting there so early has also helped a lot of games to kick off early as well and I'm always happy to do so, if, like @one says, the teams remember to do the flipping team sheets. -_-

 

[JH]

Things that can be avoided and have happened to all ? referees?

1> approaching a raging coach for cash after the game, esp maybe walking into a disgruntled changing room where you are now open season for verbals from the players too..." oh and you want paid for that crap" and so on
2> Jimmy has the cash and, well, he gone
3> On occasions, you might not have the time to wait for coach to calm down, or for him to finish with cool down or so be it, you might have another game to go to, train to catch, work to go to etc
4> teams pay for the park up front, indeed, our council here has huge signs on the facilities saying "pay before you play", no reason at all why referee should not expect the same

1. It is the responsibility of the coach to approach you and pay you. Knock on, ask for the coach to pay you in your dressing room.
2. Report the team. Team fined. You get paid. Double whammy.
3. Again, please give me my match fee or I will have no choice but to report you.
4. League rules can dictate when a referee should be paid. It is not just a preference.

 

[JH]

I should've pointed out that it's in the league rules where I am in CAPITAL letters on the website that the fee must be paid beforehand (presumably they've had issues with non payers previously). This rarely happens, I think in one of the few that enforce it.

Another issue I've had in my short time as a ref, and it's particularly relevant this weekend, is that there's minor disputes over who pays the fee on County Cup games. It's 50/50 where I am, presumably the same elsewhere?

50/50 and home pays expenses for me.

 

[Ciley Myrus]

1. It is the responsibility of the coach to approach you and pay you. Knock on, ask for the coach to pay you in your dressing room.
2. Report the team. Team fined. You get paid. Double whammy.
3. Again, please give me my match fee or I will have no choice but to report you.
4. League rules can dictate when a referee should be paid. It is not just a preference.

Ok I have personally never heard of league rules which dictate the ref gets the fee after the game.

the other steps are avoidable, by being proactive, and getting the fee up front. All problems solved before they even exist

as ever if folk want the above senarios and prefer them to being proactive, they are welcome to them

 

[one]

Is that actually a requirement or is it another one of those made up rules because they sound right.... show me that written down please!

It was a bit of Aussie sarcasm mate (or is it wit?). Not to worry. You can keep your shirt tucked out

 

[Sheffields Finest]

It was a bit of Aussie sarcasm mate (or is it wit?). Not to worry. You can keep your shirt tucked out

You stick to the egg chasing, you’re quite decent at that

 

[Mintyref]

30 minutes before, meet n greet coaches managers, pitch inspection/warm up, equipment inspection, flags and instructions to assistants, receive team sheets, check dress code, make sure shirt hasn't inadvertently got tucked in when I went for the pre-match dump, call the teams in, captains and coin toss, count to eleven twice, signal keepers and were off...........

 

[one]

You stick to the egg chasing, you’re quite decent at that

Even that is slipping away from us. I got nothing except that we proudly referee with our shirts tucked in.

 

[JoeMaloney5]

Ok maybe I made that sound worse than it actually is thanks to people on advice based on what I said let me go through things in more detail and fyi this is purely in junior football.

Yes I get to pitch 10 mins before KO but that is a minimum the club I ref for don't open gates to field til 30 mins before KO and if the coach is running late I would be standing there like a lemon with the players. If KO was 11 I would usually arrive at anywhere between 10 44 - 10 50 never any later as I might look like I'm rushing and that wouldn't be very professional.ohh and I live literally and I mean literally 30 seconds away from the club's pitches.

Jewellery- when I said walking past what j meant was that I don't tell them to get all their players lined up instead when I'm giving the coach the lino flag usually the players are huddled or in a training/ warm up drill this is when I would look to see if any jewellery is present then I go to other team and give flag repeat etc.

I hope I didn't come across as someone who doesn't care because I really do. I love refereeing and I do it to the best of my ability. But with me being young I don't want to bring unwanted attention to myself so I'm only copying what I've seen other refs do when in previous seasons I was a player.

 

[Hoosier Ref]

Couple of adds to my earlier post. pre-game... Stretch my calves and achilles from the moment I wake up. Put on entire tube of Ben Gay (muscle rub). Use muscle roller excessively. Take half a bottle of ibuprofen. Stretch some more. Be sure I have all of the athletic compression gear. Gripe about getting old.

Now in seriousness... Pitch inspection. This is a must do for many reasons. It shows your professionalism, that you take your duties seriously and YOU CARE. I wouldn't take a home manager/coach's word for it. If your whole crew is there, do it as a referee team and talk while you do it. Great time to work through game situations and mechanics.

Common things that I have found during pitch inspections (including at some very nice venues

• GOALS NOT ANCHORED or weighted - very common. Mowing crews move the goals to mow then dont re-anchor/weight the goals. This is a safety issue and here the game cannot be played if the goal is not anchored/weighted
• Holes in the net at critical locations. Even if I am told about a hole, it is important to see it so that you are aware if the ball has passed perfectly through it. I have had a handful of GOALS hit a hole without moving the net. It was only because myself and the AR knew where it was ahead of time that we were ready to spot it. It also helps that you make sure both coaches are aware of it ahead of time. I carry zip ties to fix holes if I can
• GOALS not placed properly. This is common also due to being moved for training/mowing. Many people don't know the proper placement of the goal on the goal line. I have also run across goals not being centered left to right and penalty spots that are off
• Missing corner flags. I have once come across a broken corner flag that was shop at the top. Had to be removed for player safety
• Items too close to the field - Benches, spectators' chairs, trash cans, etc. I just had to drag an american football blocking sled away from a touchline before a game.
• Issues on the FOP - I have come across a broken sprinkler head sticking up that was dangerous to players, a metal stake laying on the pitch, etc.

The inspection really doesn't take long, but you will be surprised what you find. Goals and net issues seem to be the most common issues I see. Kind of important

 

[Mintyref]

Even that is slipping away from us. I got nothing except that we proudly referee with our shirts tucked in.

Love when a whole community persists in the belief that it's ever ok to tuck your top in......just wrong.........you're not at a dinner!

 

[Tino Best]

I do alot of youth footie and I am always there at least half an hour before. This gives me enough time to check the pitch for hole and dog poo, a check on the nets to make sure the posts are safe the net is attached and there are no holes, check balls and preasure now only on one league do I get team sheets but on that we work as a team of three so get there about 1.15 before. With an equipment check and adults writing down team sheets bit of a warm up introduction to coaches it is a half hour of activity. This means I am prepared and ready to go with oput rushing. County games I get there an hour earlier as teamsheets are to be handed in 45 mins before, although in reality you do have to chase these. 10 minutes would not be enough time for me to do all the things I need to do.
On a seperate note you should do the pitch inspection as if it is dangerous you would be liable not the home team. If this is the case for that league I would speak to your RDO as it will be you who is held responsible not the club.

 

[PinnerPaul]

If the league rules say post-match then the fee is paid post match...
In 7 years reffing I have never had an issue obtaining my fee after the game.
Most clubs are not daft enough not to pay, as they know it will cost them more as they will be forced to pay along with a financial or points penalty.
If the game had been fractious, or contentious, I have no qualm in waiting a short period of time for people to cool off before approaching for the fee.
As a general rule, i keep the match ball and team sheet, and exchange these along with my match fee. The only exemption to this was if I had another game (I dont do this now) I would say, listen, I need to leave immediately post match to get to next game, would you mind paying the match fee now so you can carry out your post match activities without me pestering you..

Re: OP as a bare minimum I arrive 30 mins before game, although prefer 45 mins when on own, for Sunday league. This allows time to inspect pitch, change, warm up, pre match duties, team sheets, names of subs, equipment checks, ready stood waiting in the middle to pip the whistle and call in captains to toss coin and kick off.. Never liked sauntering on to pitch with 1 min to go. Looks rushed.
Team of 3 is minimum an hour, again to carry out above but also include a get to know chat and pre match instructions.

In over 500 games and 16 years, I've only ever not been paid once. Club secretary ended up hand delivering the cash a few days later - still annoyed about it now (It was about 5 years ago I think)

 

[Tino Best]

Love when a whole community persists in the belief that it's ever ok to tuck your top in......just wrong.........you're not at a dinner!

I'm with you MInty .Clean kit and boots but unless I'm in a team of three my shirt will be untucked. This may seem scuffy to some people but I think it looks just as good and it comes untucked when I run anyway. I will turn up to games in suits are shirt and tie, smart tracksuit but refs shirt untucked. I don't think this show a lack of respect it is down to comfort. If they think i am rubbish I can guarentee it is not due to my shirt

 

[Justylove]

Ok maybe I made that sound worse than it actually is thanks to people on advice based on what I said let me go through things in more detail and fyi this is purely in junior football.

Yes I get to pitch 10 mins before KO but that is a minimum the club I ref for don't open gates to field til 30 mins before KO and if the coach is running late I would be standing there like a lemon with the players. If KO was 11 I would usually arrive at anywhere between 10 44 - 10 50 never any later as I might look like I'm rushing and that wouldn't be very professional.ohh and I live literally and I mean literally 30 seconds away from the club's pitches.

Jewellery- when I said walking past what j meant was that I don't tell them to get all their players lined up instead when I'm giving the coach the lino flag usually the players are huddled or in a training/ warm up drill this is when I would look to see if any jewellery is present then I go to other team and give flag repeat etc.

I hope I didn't come across as someone who doesn't care because I really do. I love refereeing and I do it to the best of my ability. But with me being young I don't want to bring unwanted attention to myself so I'm only copying what I've seen other refs do when in previous seasons I was a player.

The thing is @JoeMaloney5 you've copied referees that you don't know whether what they are doing is right or wrong and by doing so have picked up some bad habits. The general consensus on here is that you are arriving too late for games and relying on the home coach to do things for you. do you think if the coach is running a bit late that their priority is going to be to inspect the pitch over giving a team talk?

Gates open 30 minutes beforehand, get there for gates opening then. Go have a look at the pitch, do a warm up. You won't be stood there like a lemon. Once you've inspected the pitch you can go and tell the coach, "pitch and nets are all fine, no worries on that front" they'll probably thank you for it!

I don't know if there is a requirement for the respect handshake in your county, however there is in ours, so its an optimal time to do the inspection.
I think the onus is now on you to decide based on the feedback on here, whether you want to do things differently or whether you think for your leagues, what you are doing is fine.

 

[PinnerPaul]

I don't do a pitch inspection as the manager of the home team is expected to check everything before the ref gets there (league rules) then they tell me if anything is wrong then I will take a look and take action if required for example when I got there last week he told me that there was a hole in the net and he didn't know if it was ok to play with I asked if he could replace with a new net he went off and got a replacement net.

Team sheets in my junior league aren't filled out till after final whistle.

Jewellery I will check when walking past if I realise during match I will tell them to take what ever it is off at the next stoppage of play.

Without team sheets you should still get names of Subs, Joe, that's a LOTG requirement and applies to all matches (Obviously this information is on team sheets). Apologies if you do this already, but referencing the comment above, I have been told on more than one occasion when asking for this information that I was the 'First ref to ask that'!

 

[JoeMaloney5]

The thing is @JoeMaloney5 you've copied referees that you don't know whether what they are doing is right or wrong and by doing so have picked up some bad habits. The general consensus on here is that you are arriving too late for games and relying on the home coach to do things for you. do you think if the coach is running a bit late that their priority is going to be to inspect the pitch over giving a team talk?

Gates open 30 minutes beforehand, get there for gates opening then. Go have a look at the pitch, do a warm up. You won't be stood there like a lemon. Once you've inspected the pitch you can go and tell the coach, "pitch and nets are all fine, no worries on that front" they'll probably thank you for it!

I don't know if there is a requirement for the respect handshake in your county, however there is in ours, so its an optimal time to do the inspection.
I think the onus is now on you to decide based on the feedback on here, whether you want to do things differently or whether you think for your leagues, what you are doing is fine.

Yeah the handshake thing seems to differ from league to league In my local youth league we don't line up and shake hands usually the coaches are screaming at their players to shake at end of the game but some don't. I try to shake as many as possible but players and coaches just wanna get off after full time.

You know what I'm gunna try getting their for gates opening because after all this forum is for advice.

Thanks for advice.

 

[JoeMaloney5]

Without team sheets you should still get names of Subs, Joe, that's a LOTG requirement and applies to all matches (Obviously this information is on team sheets). Apologies if you do this already, but referencing the comment above, I have been told on more than one occasion when asking for this information that I was the 'First ref to ask that'!

They don't fill team sheets out til after fulltime whistle mate.

 

[PinnerPaul]

They don't fill team sheets out til after fulltime whistle mate.

They don't fill team sheets out til after fulltime whistle mate.

That doesn't matter - they have to give you names of subs beforehand. League rules irrelevant - it is a LOTG requirement.

I have seen a handful of games where ref has refused to let a player on because he turned up late and wasn't a named sub.

To cover yourself, just remind them to include anyone they were expecting but who hasn't turned up.

Just to reiterate - teamsheets, or lack of, is fine, if as per league rules, but not getting subs names is not, its ignoring Laws of the Game, which as others have said, is a big no no.

 

[Ben448844]

I do alot of youth footie and I am always there at least half an hour before. This gives me enough time to check the pitch for hole and dog poo, a check on the nets to make sure the posts are safe the net is attached and there are no holes, check balls and preasure now only on one league do I get team sheets but on that we work as a team of three so get there about 1.15 before. With an equipment check and adults writing down team sheets bit of a warm up introduction to coaches it is a half hour of activity. This means I am prepared and ready to go with oput rushing. County games I get there an hour earlier as teamsheets are to be handed in 45 mins before, although in reality you do have to chase these. 10 minutes would not be enough time for me to do all the things I need to do.
On a seperate note you should do the pitch inspection as if it is dangerous you would be liable not the home team. If this is the case for that league I would speak to your RDO as it will be you who is held responsible not the club.

Whilst I agree that as the referee you should always do the pitch inspection and, having gone through the qualification process to become a ref last summer, the first thing we were told (and asked to do on the day) was to do a pitch inspection. However, not doing one does not make you liable for anything.