Turn up no later than 30 mins before KO, I aim for about 45mins usually.
A decent ref should give both his AR’s a briefing before the game. I.e what to do in x/y/z situation, when he wants you to flag/when he doesn’t want you to flag. If you have any questions after his briefing, then I’d definitely ask then, not after a sh*t-show!
I find a lot of the focus is on looking professional whilst giving decisions.
If he doesn’t give a good pre-match brief I’d ask:
•How he wants you to stand if you’re unsure of which way to flag ball in/out? Best advice I got was to hold the flag in the centre of my body with both hands and look in (eye contact). That way you’re letting him know you don’t have a clue which way to flag. He should give you an indication after that.
•How he wants you to signal for borderline pen/FK. Some refs will tell you to crab towards the goal line for a pen or the opposite direction for a FK.
•Mass confrontations. Where does he want you? Does he want you to monitor for offenders on a specific team?
•What does he want you to note, if anything?
•Does he want you to look at feet or ball for potential foul throws?
•Pre-match ceremony. Usually enter pitch, break for nets, back in for coin toss. Does he want you to check for jewellery?
•Pen shootout. Where does he want you?
That’s all I can think of for now, plenty of experience on here to fill in the gaps!