The Ref Stop

Level 4 Observations/Merit Tables

I don't understand your problem. Things are as transparent as they could possibly be.

A few years ago, we never got to see a specific position in a merit table, never saw our club marks and just got banding updates 4 times a year (?), then the FA select those who will be promoted and, as stated in one of these posts you're concerned about, a female was promoted above a male who appeared to have a better overall banding.

Now, we see a live merit table for clubs and observers at any given point. In fact we see 4 tables. Annual marks clubs, annual marks observers, seasonal marks clubs and seasonal marks observers.
This system of having an assessment day was clearly laid out, along with how people would be chosen, at the start of the season.
This sounds like an improvement. I'm all for honesty.
 
The Ref Stop
I was transferred onto a game recently. I replaced a female official who had one of those random Level 4 Coaches on the game. The Coach was promptly taken off the game and stuck on a game with a young lad in the Middle!

So be it!
I've had one of those random coaches this calendar year. I'm 32 by the way so not a 'young' lad.

It was my worst performance of the year, so thankfully it was a coaching visit and not an observation!

Edit: Just realised in 'young lad' I've used the exact same terminology as you. It wasn't intended as a confrontational post, just information 😆
 
I've had one of those random coaches this calendar year. I'm 32 by the way so not a 'young' lad.

It was my worst performance of the year, so thankfully it was a coaching visit and not an observation!

Edit: Just realise in 'young lad' I've used the exact same terminology as you. It wasn't intended as a confrontational post, just information 😆
Good luck with the Assessment Day anyway. We (I've) massively deviated from your achievement of being selected
 
I've had one of those random coaches this calendar year. I'm 32 by the way so not a 'young' lad.

It was my worst performance of the year, so thankfully it was a coaching visit and not an observation!

Edit: Just realised in 'young lad' I've used the exact same terminology as you. It wasn't intended as a confrontational post, just information 😆
When you've done it report back and say how it went.
 
It isn't that long ago that to get onto the Football League, and I think at one point the Football Conference and even as low down as L3, you had to go for an interview at FA Headquarters. One referee down here used to regularly bemoan that he kept finishing in the top places but never got promoted as he was rubbish at interviews. They scrapped that not long before I was promoted to L3, so I'd guess somewhere between 10 and 15 years ago, sounds like the assessment day is a replacement but presumably more practical than a formal interview.
 
Probably the next Level up after 3 (can't remember off the top of my head) but taking your fat levels is also part of the process

If they're higher than whatever the mark is, you're sent home
 
The Cooper Test gets lambasted for not being specific enough for Refereeing but I vehemently disagree with that conclusion. The Cooper has long since been respected as a 'gold standard' measure of VO2Max (in the absence of a Lab test) and a near perfect combination of speed and endurance
The L4 Test is too easy, simple as that. The L3 Test however, is roughly equivalent to 2600m over 12 mins
The Cooper is generally feared by all folk at all levels of fitness because it's maximal. End of. It is nasty
If you can't pass the L3 Test, you shouldn't be doing Contrib Middles. I would argue the L3 Test should be the standard for Supply Leagues too
 
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The Cooper Test gets lambasted for not being specific enough for Refereeing but I vehemently disagree with that conclusion. The Cooper has long since been respected as a brilliant measure of VO2Max and a near perfect combination of speed and endurance
The L4 Test is too easy, simple as that. The L3 Test however, is roughly equivalent to 2600m over 12 mins
The Cooper is generally feared by all folk at all levels of fitness because it's maximal. End of. It is nasty
If you can't pass the L3 Test, you shouldn't be doing Contrib Middles. I would argue the L3 Test should be the standard for Supply Leagues too
I've heard that the L4 Test will become the existing L3 test from next season, but don't shoot the messenger.....
 
I've heard that the L4 Test will become the existing L3 test from next season, but don't shoot the messenger.....
I'm 15 and a half stone and 49 years old
I could do no training for 3 months, drink 10 pints the night before and just turn up and pass that on a hot summer's day
 
Unless somethings changed or I'm reading what you're saying incorrectly...... They are the same now, bar slightly different timings

Are you saying you think the timings for 4 should be the same as 3?
 
Unless somethings changed or I'm reading what you're saying incorrectly...... They are the same now, bar slightly different timings

Are you saying you think the timings for 4 should be the same as 3?
4 is 17s and 22s
3 is 15s and 22s
I seem to recall
The 2s on the shuttles makes a big difference
 
I agree the L4 is easy but I prepared for it, by doing at least 8 mock tests beforehand. Then after I completed it in June on the warm summer's day and it was a hot one (30 C by 9am) - I then started to help the Counties 5-4's by running these tests again at a local athletics track in September/October and I did them without breaking sweat. The L3 will be slightly tougher but as long as you prepare for it (or not in your case - I wish I could do that) you will be fine.
 
I've heard the existing L3 test 15/22 will become the new L4 test.

Then there is also the timed gated sprints to consider.

Yes in all seriousness I'd hope the timed gates sprints won't cause any issues, but I'd be more concerned about them than the main fitness test. Need to study up on LOTG too. Be stupid to let law knowledge let me down.
 
Yes in all seriousness I'd hope the timed gates sprints won't cause in any issues, but I'd be more concerned about them than the main fitness test. Need to study up on LOTG too. Be stupid to let law knowledge let me down.
When is the Assessment Day? You'll have to report back and fill us in with what they subject you to
 
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