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New Referee

Josh the referee

Well-Known Member
Level 7 Referee
Hi all,

I've just completed my course today and are already planning on refereeing an U11's match next Sunday. What is the best piece of advice that you could offer me? What is your advice on the use of cards at that level?

Thanks,
Josh
 
The Referee Store
Have your bag packed the night before and fill in the match details if you are using a notebook ie location of game, ko time, length of time of each half age of players. I also note both managers names and contact numbers
Arrive early and do a pitch check and speak to managers and confirm details from your notebook......makes you look confident and then relax.

Once the game starts talk to the players at that age over decisions........if its a foul throw tell them why, I would discuss throws with the managers before hand at this age and give them an indication of whether you are going to be strict, or is it a case of letting them go and getting the ball back in play. Cards hopefully shouldnt be an issue at that age......more a case of talking

In all events go out and enjoy being part of the game......good luck
 
I found getting my bag ready and checking it all helped me. I also wrote down the names of the teams in my notebook before so when I arrived it was just a case of noting the colour of kit and who kicked off in the 1st half. Make sure your watch(es) are ready and have a think of what you will say to managers before at junior. Arrive early, take your time with things. Have one final check before you leave the changing room to make sure you have everything and most importantly.. enjoy it!
 
Or not. Short of exceptional circumstances, there's not much need to chat to the managers beyond 'hi, how are you?' IMO.
Yep - this 10 times over. General pleasantries are fine, but don't even go down the path of "if this happens then..." All you will do is open yourself up for a whole pile of aggro.

As I've got more experienced I tend to say to benches (at teamsheets) "folks, you know where the line is in terms of behaviour, if you're close to the line, I'll tell you, if you cross it, then I'll have to deal with it"
 
Have your bag packed the night before and fill in the match details if you are using a notebook ie location of game, ko time, length of time of each half age of players. I also note both managers names and contact numbers
Arrive early and do a pitch check and speak to managers and confirm details from your notebook......makes you look confident and then relax.

Once the game starts talk to the players at that age over decisions........if its a foul throw tell them why, I would discuss throws with the managers before hand at this age and give them an indication of whether you are going to be strict, or is it a case of letting them go and getting the ball back in play. Cards hopefully shouldnt be an issue at that age......more a case of talking

In all events go out and enjoy being part of the game......good luck
Great advice.
 
I'm not going to regurgitate the above but will say please do share/reflect on how the match goes next week.

But yeah... keep it simple and you can't go too far wrong at U11. Only thing I'd add is if the league is the same as my local youth league, it'll be their first year playing offside. And by extension, some parents first time with a flag in their hand. Tell them what you want (and don't want).
 
With all respect to previous posts, don't 'just turn up'. As a parent, coach and ref, this means something to children, parents and coaches that give up their time. They deserve that we treat it seriously. At U11 this may be one of the few times in the season when there is a 'Proper Ref' and not one of the parents or a coach officiating.

As was said earlier, you don't need to arrive thinking you are a FIFA ref, but just be prepared and professional.

I think what Max2 is implying is that it isn't too difficult and don't overthink it, but when it is your first game you do have a lot of questions going through your head. I know that I did. You're unlikely to need cards, but you can if it warrants it - the LOTG tells you what these are.

Have a great one Josh. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
Or not. Short of exceptional circumstances, there's not much need to chat to the managers beyond 'hi, how are you?' IMO.
That’s what I meant. Mainly an introduction to yourself but thinking of what you’ll say first time is one less thing to think about. I didn’t mean a big spiel of things. My bad how I put it.
 
At that age, I always say to them the only comments I want to hear on the pitch are positive ones especially towards their team mates whether its going good or bad, just enjoy the game.
 
I think what Max2 is implying is that it isn't too difficult and don't overthink it
Sorry yeah, I put it very glibly in somewhat of a rush, but that was my implication.

It'll be a great learning experience, and one where you don't have to worry about dropping a clanger or getting signalling spot on. Take your time, you've got WAY more time than you think you have before you need to point one way or the other, and hopefully as 10/11 year olds, you're not likely to get harrangued by anyone.

If you quote Law, be correct, and dont feel you need to overly explain to a manager who pipes up with anything more than "i saw X, the restart therefore is Y" (not "well from my angle it looked a bit like he caught him late but then again he might have slipped and im not sure what do you think from over there maybe you had a better angle but i said free kick but blah blah blah etc).

That said, the players being that young may ask questions more - just be honest "came off his leg last, blue throw / no the keeper didnt get a touch, goal kick" etc with them.

Breathe.

Take your time.

Smile and enjoy it: might be good football, might be an amusing swarm of bees chasing a ball.

Send em all off
 
Have your bag packed the night before and fill in the match details if you are using a notebook ie location of game, ko time, length of time of each half age of players. I also note both managers names and contact numbers
Arrive early and do a pitch check and speak to managers and confirm details from your notebook......makes you look confident and then relax.

Once the game starts talk to the players at that age over decisions........if its a foul throw tell them why, I would discuss throws with the managers before hand at this age and give them an indication of whether you are going to be strict, or is it a case of letting them go and getting the ball back in play. Cards hopefully shouldnt be an issue at that age......more a case of talking

In all events go out and enjoy being part of the game......good l
I’m fairly new too and have now got many games under my belt to feel confident when in the middle…..I am also guiding my 15yr son through this as well.
The advice from St John is excellent advice. Turning up in plenty of time, looking confident during your warm up also says a lot to the coaches and parents. I would only add, make contact with the home manager in terms of timings, your fee and also let the manager know your new to this. Hopefully that way they will manage the parents for you.
 
Went really well. 0-0 after Full Time. Went into Extra Time and just before half time a player from the away team jumped with his arms in the air and the ball hit it meaning Penalty. Not many complaints. Penalty Scored and the game finished 1 - 0 AET.

After the game had finished, I was confronted by one of the Away's team Parents telling me that it wasn't a penalty and he had the footage. I asked him to move away and he wouldn't so the Home Team manager came over to walk him off of the pitch.

Sad finish to the game which has slightly knocked my confidence but I dealt with it well for someone who is U18. What would be your way of dealing with this?

And finally, thanks for all of your advice which payed off with me having a really good game!! 👍
 
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