The Ref Stop

managing big crowds

OnlyUseMeWhistle

OnlyUseMeWhistle

RefChat Addict
Level 3W Referee
I have a game this weekend at a championship level stadium with 6000+ fans expected, previously I've refereed in similar grounds but with a few hundred at most and many of those children/families.

I'll be 4th but welcome any tips from our more experienced officials on staying focussed and things to be aware of that you otherwise don't have to worry about when you've only got 6 men and a dog watching!
 
The Ref Stop
OnlyUseMeWhistle said:
I have a game this weekend at a championship level stadium with 6000+ fans expected, previously I've refereed in similar grounds but with a few hundred at most and many of those children/families.

I'll be 4th but welcome any tips from our more experienced officials on staying focussed and things to be aware of that you otherwise don't have to worry about when you've only got 6 men and a dog watching!
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They’re not there. It’s just you, the other 3 officials, 22+ players and the coaches. They’re all you need to worry about.
Enjoy the game !
 
OnlyUseMeWhistle said:
I have a game this weekend at a championship level stadium with 6000+ fans expected, previously I've refereed in similar grounds but with a few hundred at most and many of those children/families.

I'll be 4th but welcome any tips from our more experienced officials on staying focussed and things to be aware of that you otherwise don't have to worry about when you've only got 6 men and a dog watching!
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Congrats. This is why we started to go through the promotion pathway wasn't it? Bigger games in front of bigger crowds?

My first game in front of over 1000 fans on the line, I tripped over and disallowed 2 goals for offside, both decisions against the home side. One was correct, the other was a horrendous decision. I let the occasion get to me. I realised since, that nothing really changes and it's possible to try too hard. Just relax and do you. You'll be fine.
 
Having rand the line with 3k+ crowds I find they help me to stay focussed. I stay focussed anyway but always seems heightened the more people watching.
You don't need to do anything differently because there's a crowd.
Listen to what the referee wants in their pre match, keep a detailed record of the game including stoppages and be ready. If you've got Comms, add value, but don't piggy back.
 
I'm flag waving at the game OnlyUseMeWhistle has mentoned. We have also today recieved the pre-match safety notes which makes it all a lot more "formal".. You probably have the easiest job of us all standing between the benches with all the security personal.. ;) (See you Sunday mate).

Remember they are there to support the home team - not there to watch us.. ;)
 
Steve Fall said:
I'm flag waving at the game OnlyUseMeWhistle has mentoned. We have also today recieved the pre-match safety notes which makes it all a lot more "formal".. You probably have the easiest job of us all standing between the benches with all the security personal.. ;) (See you Sunday mate).

Remember they are there to support the home team - not there to watch us.. ;)
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Expecting a full report on which sweets OUMW brings for you all.
 
I always found it easier with the bigger crowds, it is somehow easier having thousands of people telling you that you don't know what you are doing thank having one or two vocal fools, usually from a village that was missing their idiot, shouting abuse at you for 90 minutes.

Just concentrate and treat it like any other game. Don't know the level, but as 4th official try to keep a low presence. If it is teams that aren't used to having 4th officials there's a more than reasonable chance that the technical areas will look more like bus stops.
 
You probably won’t even know the people are there. Once you’re concentrating on what you’re doing, the 6,000 people turns into 6 people.

As Rusty says, it’s actually harder to hear comments from that amount of people than it is in a parks game.
 
I have some experience with bigger crowds with music - and it is much easier to get distracted with smaller crowds. With a seething mass it just heightens things. I’ve only AR’d a couple of times with close to 1000 people and was fine.

Congratulations on the appointment and do report back!
 
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