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RayCharles

New Member
Hi all.
Getting my 5 under my belt. Completed 2 U11 games so far.
Sweating for the first one. Went pretty smoothly apart from a kicking the ball away incident where I explained that I could have given them a yellow and will for next offence.

Game 2 my watch must have stopped the timer in second half so I had to wing the time.

Gave most of them props for good saves. Defending. Passing. Lots of praise.

Now the worrying bit.

Saturday I have another U11 games. I’m comfortable at this level now. But Sunday I’m reffing an U14 game and expect a totally different ball game. Language and dirty play.

I’m a lenient bloke. Assess the matches first ten mins and either let things play out or stamp on things fast to ensure I’m in control.

Anyone able to give me any advice for Sunday?

I am currently using a black hoodie with the NFA badge and black tracksuit bottoms until my 5 games are complete. Will this be ok for U14?

Honestly I’m crapping it and I’m in my 40s haha
 
The Ref Stop
Black hoodie and trackies are OK until your kit arrives, but does tell everyone you're a newbie.
Deal with whatever happens in your u-14 game, if it needs a card issue it, and if you think "that's possibly a caution" then it almost certainly is. Ignore the parents on the touchline.
Enjoy.
 
U14 is certainly more difficult than U11. In my experience at that age group as both a player and a ref most challenges won’t need a card but the ones that do will stick out like a sore thumb. If you think it needs a caution, then at U14 it does. Enjoy!
 
Just be aware that U14s there will be a lot more frustration going around in the young heads. They will question your decisions non-stop and make you doubt yourself. Don't let them in your head!
 
When you say NFA, do you mean Northamptonshire? Or somewhere else?

Also, regarding the watch issue, it's always a good idea to wear 2 watches in case one fails. Appreciate it takes time to acquire all this equipment however.
 
14s will be more of a challenge but this is what you want as a new referee - progression of difficulty. If you view it as the natural progression of your refereeing journey, it will be easier to manage the level change. Even if you aren’t confident, try to display an air of confidence. Good positioning, strong whistle work and signals are all things to work on. Don’t let young teenagers get in your head (although they will try to through words and actions). Most of all try to enjoy the experience and have fun. It will be fine and you’ll be better for having completed the game.
 
I'd echo what others have said.

Sounds like you did the right thing for U11s with a warning for delaying the restart of play (kicking the ball away). My experience at U14s is that whilst there'll be some swearing, it's almost always frustration as opposed to being directed at you or other players.

For me, once they're playing 11 a side at U13s and above it's pretty much LOTG as written and I will brief the coaches accordingly before the match. That said, depending on the nature and temperature of the game there is still some room for leeway imho for certain offences that otherwise would be mandatory cautions. I know there'll be others on here that will vehemently disagree but, more so at U13s than U14s, do I really need to YC a kid who commits a clumsy foul and stops a promising attack in the process, when there's two minutes left, they're losing 11-0, there have been zero cautionable offences thus far and the game has been played in the right spirit, or would a verbal warning and explanation suffice?

Confident use of signals and whistle, use the stepped approach where appropriate, be firm but respectful managing any dissent and be willing to communicate and you'll be absolutely fine. Before long you'll have limited interest in going back to 9v9.

Good luck and let us know how you go.
 
I think the attitude towards you will be the biggest change. Depending on what division it is, they might not even be better ability wise. Just deal with the low level dissent where you can. I found that speaking to them like adults and not children, would make them be a bit better behaved, as they are at that stage where they want to start being treated like one.

Just make sure that you show you are enjoying the game as 9/10 players reactions will be worse if you look either disinterested or unsure.
 
Samuel said:
I think the attitude towards you will be the biggest change. Depending on what division it is, they might not even be better ability wise. Just deal with the low level dissent where you can. I found that speaking to them like adults and not children, would make them be a bit better behaved, as they are at that stage where they want to start being treated like one.

Just make sure that you show you are enjoying the game as 9/10 players reactions will be worse if you look either disinterested or unsure.
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100%. To this end, it's from U13s when I'm saying to captains at the toss "I might ask for your help managing your players if they're getting close to the line as it's better if you do than I have to". Very rarely is it an issue but I've certainly had times where this chat has led to U13 captains telling their team mates to be quiet and get on with it.
 
Samuel said:
I think the attitude towards you will be the biggest change. Depending on what division it is, they might not even be better ability wise. Just deal with the low level dissent where you can. I found that speaking to them like adults and not children, would make them be a bit better behaved, as they are at that stage where they want to start being treated like one.

Just make sure that you show you are enjoying the game as 9/10 players reactions will be worse if you look either disinterested or unsure.
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It’s premiership. So top of around 16 leagues. Might as well dive straight into the deep end
 
RayCharles said:
It’s premiership. So top of around 16 leagues. Might as well dive straight into the deep end
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Ok so the main thing I take from that is that they will be a bit quicker on the ball than you are used to. Something I was told once by an older referee years ago was that you don't need to be able to keep up, just make it look like you are by having a good position. Probably the best bit of advice I received early in my career.

Don't think about the level too much and focus on your movement around the pitch and, most of the time, the technical ability or speed of the kids won't matter if you have a good enough position.
 
RefereeX said:
When you say NFA, do you mean Northamptonshire? Or somewhere else?

Also, regarding the watch issue, it's always a good idea to wear 2 watches in case one fails. Appreciate it takes time to acquire all this equipment however.
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I just been out and bought an £11 Casio for my left arm and I will wear my garmin on the right and set both timers.

My fitness will be fine. I’ve been a runner for years.
 
RayCharles said:
I just been out and bought an £11 Casio for my left arm and I will wear my garmin on the right and set both timers.

My fitness will be fine. I’ve been a runner for years.
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Where abouts are you based? If you’re in Northants and in need of kit I might be able to help you out (I only ask because you said NFA, but that could be Northants FA or somewhere else)
 
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