Hi all, I am about to do my first refereeing games in the middle and on the line. Does anyone have any advice that could help me?
Thanks
Thanks
Thank you! I've been feeling quite nervous past couple of days. I'll try to keep them in mind!That's a really big question and reading all of the posts on the forum wouldn't cover it all!
I reckon just three things to start.
1. Be as prepared as you can be. Make sure you have all your kit, watches, pencils, etc. and are comfortable.
2. Trust in yourself to know the laws and try and remain calm. The players expect you to be in control, so try and do that, but avoid being officious (which is tempting sometimes, especially if you're nervous).
3. Don't give yourself too hard a time. You're learning, and like anything the learning curve is particularly steep at the start. After each game, focus on one thing you'll try and do better next time.
Oh, and one other thing - enjoy it! Best feeling in the world when it's going well!
Good luck!
That's still the big one for me, over 20 years later! Second-guessing yourself is incredibly unhelpful when refereeing - I have to tell myself regularly just to make the decision and move on.and the big one for me when I started out almost 20 years ago
Be confident that the decision you made was the right one
That is fair and valid comment, MartijuThat's still the big one for me, over 20 years later! Second-guessing yourself is incredibly unhelpful when refereeing - I have to tell myself regularly just to make the decision and move on.
That is where the confidence comes in. Make what you believe to be the right decision and get on with the gameOh I make the decision quickly enough, I just have to resist replaying it in my mind and questioning whether it was the right one, especially if there's a strong reaction. I know enough (and have seen enough videos of my games) to know I'm getting it right much more often than not (even when there's huge disagreement), but in the heat of the moment I can still get a little caught up in what's happened, rather than what is happening if I'm not careful.