The Ref Stop

1st observed match

Phonesurgeon

Phonesurgeon

Cook, Cleaner and Bottle Washer
Level 7 Referee
So finally took the plunge and applied for promotion 7-6
and I've got my first observed game today.
I do assistant ref on Northern Counties and have had a few observation already all of them at 72.5
Any advice from some more experienced ref? Many thanks
 
The Ref Stop
Firstly, always try to do your best. To make sure you arrive in very good time, that your kit including boots are gleaming (you only get one first impression) & be confident (without coming across as arrogant). Promotion from 7-6 is mostly about getting the basics right - so to ensure your signals are strong & decisive, that your whistle can be clearly heard (though used sparingly eg to stop play & only at appropriate restarts), that you largely adopt a decent path of control whilst not being too close or far from play. Also, try not to play too much Advantage at this stage if your career unless you are fairly sure that a goal will be scored.
 
It is a coaching report rather than an observation. So it is a better experience overall.

The person will meet you at half time and give you some tips and advice on how to improve in the second half.

Arrive early, look sharp and conduct a pitch/goals inspection. Introduce yourself to both managers and square your admin away (getting paid etc).

Have a chat with the assistant referees.

Then just referee and hopefully get some good advice.

You'll be fine and only if you're getting a lot of fundamentals completely wrong should you expect any issues.
 
What you really need to do is referee exactly the way you do normally.

Not doing so means any development and strengths noted are lowered in value in terms of benefit.

7-6 is all developmental, the coach is there to support and guide you to be a better referee, and his job is made harder of you do things differently than if he weren't there.
 
JamesL covers the point well. Going forward, be yourself, don't try to be someone else just to impress the Coach.
 
Phonesurgeon said:
Update
It went well, considering that the 2 teams were "a set of asses" according to the observer, couple of positional points, but that was it.
So now waiting to see the report
Click to expand...
Don't be surprised if the report contains a few negatives your observer may not have mentioned - they have to include some written development points. Chances are they'll be quite small in the grand scheme of things, but they've got to put something in those boxes. Well done on surviving your first one, the rest will seem much easier now you've got that first one out of the way.
 
I had my 1st 7-6 observation yesterday, I thought it was a coaching visit but its a full observation. Didn't go too well as got shin splints half way through and was a bit off my normal standard, let an obvious yellow go and didn't deal with some persistent fouling. Let's see what the report comes back with.
Now got leg resting and no games for 2 weeks, shame as missed doing Women's National League game today.
 
cooperd5 said:
I had my 1st 7-6 observation yesterday, I thought it was a coaching visit but its a full observation. Didn't go too well as got shin splints half way through and was a bit off my normal standard, let an obvious yellow go and didn't deal with some persistent fouling. Let's see what the report comes back with.
Now got leg resting and no games for 2 weeks, shame as missed doing Women's National League game today.
Click to expand...
7 to 6 is a Match Day Coach rather than
an Observer visit - the pro forma is in the Resources tab.
The report should (hopefully, dependent on your CFA) be with you within the next few days.
 
cooperd5 said:
That's what I thought but he said it's a full observation 🤔 We will find out!
Click to expand...
If you live in England, it was not an Observation. Maybe your Match Day Coach had a touch of grandiosity
7 to 6 we expect mistakes. Rarely, you might excel. Always, we're there to help you improve. You can't fail. Worst case scenario is your progress will be slowed down somewhat whilst you take advice on board
 
ChasObserverRefDeveloper said:
Many Match Day Coaches are the folks who previously observed at 7>6 and 6>5, and some keep the previous titles as a personal preference.
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It's not really a preference choice though is it?

I guess it will take a while to bed in. Just as it took time for people to stop using "assessor" for observers.
 
I said to him I was expecting a match coach session but he was adamant it was an observation. Very experienced observer too (L3 ref) so will have to wait and see.
 
cooperd5 said:
I said to him I was expecting a match coach session but he was adamant it was an observation. Very experienced observer too (L3 ref) so will have to wait and see.
Click to expand...
The observations and MDC reports are completed and processed in different ways so you should get a Match Day Coach report. If you don't, make sure the coordinator has checked that the very experienced observer was aware which level you are hoping to achieve. Good luck.
 
cooperd5 said:
I said to him I was expecting a match coach session but he was adamant it was an observation. Very experienced observer too (L3 ref) so will have to wait and see.
Click to expand...
You should have realised that all observers / coaches reference matches when they were either at their best or developing, as we are are too old and forgetful to change.
👴
 
Report arrived, its a match day coach report (as expected) and reads well considering. Nice to get some positives along with areas to improve 😀
 
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