The Ref Stop

Approach to upcoming, potentially tricky, match

F

Farncombe Pete

New Member
I've been asked to ref an U16 match this Sunday because there were a few discipline issues (bad fouls, dissent etc) the last time one of the teams played. I'm not very experienced at reffing but am one of the older refs at our club, hence me stepping in.

Should I just follow my usual routine and usual pre-match talk?

Or should I adapt it? For example, I could say "I heard there were a few issues in your last match. I don't want a repeat of that so am going to be very firm on dissent."

Thoughts and ideas very welcome!
 
The Ref Stop
Farncombe Pete said:
I've been asked to ref an U16 match this Sunday because there were a few discipline issues (bad fouls, dissent etc) the last time one of the teams played. I'm not very experienced at reffing but am one of the older refs at our club, hence me stepping in.

Should I just follow my usual routine and usual pre-match talk?

Or should I adapt it? For example, I could say "I heard there were a few issues in your last match. I don't want a repeat of that so am going to be very firm on dissent."

Thoughts and ideas very welcome!
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I wouldn't personally advise making any reference to the previous match. You don't want the players going back to that mindset and you don't want them thinking you're making any decisions based on previous matches as they 'deserve' a clean slate every match.

I would just advise ensuring you're well on top of it. Maybe blow for a lot early on and deal with any dissent immediately, but personally, referring to the last match isn't the way to go.
 
Absolutely don't go into the game with any pre-conceived perceptions.

Prepare in the normal way and just referee what's in front of you.

Often teams will say things about past matches and usually it's to try and get into your mind about how you will referee. It doesn't harm to be aware, of course, but you shouldn't be preparing to referee this match any different, especially not based on past events that you may or may not have witnessed
 
Echoing the above. Had a very similar situation in the regional U23 league this season. It massively kicked off in the first fixture, and I had the reverse. Hopped on the first foul that had a bit of bite in it, and shut down the first bit of backchat. Game went swimmingly after I’d set that high bar, and was able to lower it as the game opened up.

Related, but it’s a bit of a pet peeve hearing a referee pre-match say “I don’t tolerate X” or “I’ll do Y if Z” because they set themselves up for it to come crashing down the second they don’t. (It’s often dissent related)
 
Good teams go bad and visa verse. As others have said try to avoid pre-conceptions based on past encounters and referee what is in front of you. Keep the game on a tight leash early on and let things flow once you feel you have control. Let confident and consistent early decisions set the tone. At the end of the day it’s on them to behave, but our game management can be highly influential of their behaviour.
 
As others have said, don’t mention the previous game. It isn’t necessary, may affect the teams’ mindset and also may mean they think you have issues with them if they’re one of those clubs. Just make sure you set your standards with them and keep the first 10–15 minutes under control, which will set expectations for the rest of the game. If it threatens to kick off, slow the game down. Penalise all the small fouls if that helps to slow it down. Good luck!
 
In my experience, those games when I think are going to be feisty, seldom are.

Its those pesky u13's, div 3 that go a bit mental :)

be firm from the outset, if you set the tone, that usually does it
 
And if it does go south, remember that the next morning you’ll be waking up in your lovely bed next to your wife ready to take on another productive week at work while they’ll be smashing down some coco pops in-between dabbing on TikTok before heading to double maths, getting pied off by Chantelle, and trying to AI essays for the plot of Lord of the Flies.

(⌐■-■)
 
FirsFox40 said:
And if it does go south, remember that the next morning you’ll be waking up in your lovely bed next to your wife ready to take on another productive week at work while they’ll be smashing down some coco pops in-between dabbing on TikTok before heading to double maths, getting pied off by Chantelle, and trying to AI essays for the plot of Lord of the Flies.

(⌐■-■)
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Them were the days! They sound like the real winners here...
 
FirsFox40 said:
And if it does go south, remember that the next morning you’ll be waking up in your lovely bed next to your wife ready to take on another productive week at work while they’ll be smashing down some coco pops in-between dabbing on TikTok before heading to double maths, getting pied off by Chantelle, and trying to AI essays for the plot of Lord of the Flies.

(⌐■-■)
Click to expand...
Didn't want Chantelle anyway.
 
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