The Ref Stop

Open Age First OA middle and MDC game

Gabriel

Gabriel

Serial whistler
Level 7 Referee
Hi all,

After putting it off for the whole season for various reasons (mostly minor injuries, but with one called off for weather), I finally have my first OA middle coming up on Saturday 22nd March. I also have a Match Day Coach coming to watch the game, which is actually really helpful because I'll get feedback on my first OA performance which will massively help moving forwards. Thankfully I also have NARs, so I have 2 officials who can bail me out should it be needed (hopefully not!). I was wondering if there is anything I should do differently while refereeing an open age game compared to refereeing youth football? (Edit: forgot to mention, thankfully nothing too much riding on the game as it is a closed league with no promotion or relegation and it's (currently) 3rd vs 10th out of 11)

TIA
 
The Ref Stop
If you’ve got NAR’s, make sure your pre-match is what you want/expect. Not sure if you have even given one before, but they take a bit of getting used to.

What is the oldest age group you’ve refereed up to now? If it’s U18, may not be too much different to OA. If it’s U12’s, it’s a different kettle of fish
 
Just back yourself. They’re going to throw absolutely anything at you to try and sway you, 98% of it will be unfounded in law.

Trust yourself. Back yourself. The learning curve can come after the game, but don’t let it get your head during.
 
You’re an AR at (or above) the level you’re going to ref… so you know what to expect, you know you’re good enough to be there, so don’t overthink it. Lead the team as others have led you, and nail it. Relax, enjoy, do what you do best and are rightly deemed competent to handle 💪🏻

I’m closed 22/03, and might have a full tank of petrol 👀
 
Runner Ref said:
If you’ve got NAR’s, make sure your pre-match is what you want/expect. Not sure if you have even given one before, but they take a bit of getting used to.

What is the oldest age group you’ve refereed up to now? If it’s U18, may not be too much different to OA. If it’s U12’s, it’s a different kettle of fish
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Cheers mate. U16s is the highest I’ve done so far, so shouldn’t be too different I’m guessing. I’ve only given a pre match once before when I had NARs on a cup semi final so I’ll try and replicate that as it worked quite well.
 
Gabriel said:
Cheers mate. U16s is the highest I’ve done so far, so shouldn’t be too different I’m guessing. I’ve only given a pre match once before when I had NARs on a cup semi final so I’ll try and replicate that as it worked quite well.
Click to expand...
The below was given to me by a FL ref many moons ago. I adapted this and shortened it a tad and then printed it out. Always had it with me during my pre-match, just to make sure I set everything out in a logical order

Pre Match Instructions

1. Welcome to team/ Teams history

2. Seniority

3. Players equipment check

4. Middle, nets, middle

5. Right wings- Senior to dugouts

6. Offside- Impact

7. Corner & Goal Kicks

8. Goal keeper fly kicks

9. Fouls & Misconduct- 3 refs/ opinions

10. Penalty- 4 things, where to stand

11. Throw ins

12. All restarts- Junior

13. Mass confrontation

14. Dissent

15. Substitutions

16. Goal line decision
 
Early update on this one. A reappointment of both ARs means I'm now working with 2 officials who I've worked with on 6 or 7 occasions already this season as a trio which will be a massive help as we know tolerance levels already so we can just focus on refereeing the game.
 
Try to relax it’ll help the players relax.

Have a bit of banter with the players if you get an opportunity.

Look confident, shoulders back strong signals, get the really easy stuff correct first where throw ins are taken from correct place etc helps you to assert your authority.

Enjoy!
 
Good luck mate, this was me at the start of the season, I was absolutely bricking it, so I know how you feel. Ref it as you usually would, use your ARs experience and I know it's a cliché but try to enjoy it. Also remember that you are good enough to be there, don't let some angry random bloke tell you otherwise.
 
JoetheRef said:
Good luck mate, this was me at the start of the season, I was absolutely bricking it, so I know how you feel. Ref it as you usually would, use your ARs experience and I know it's a cliché but try to enjoy it. Also remember that you are good enough to be there, don't let some angry random bloke tell you otherwise.
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Thanks mate. It's one of those where I've had both sides a few times already this season so I can identify potential problem players already (one of whom I know is suspended for the game thankfully!) and try and win them over with banter early on. I've got myself into the mindset now where as others have said I'll just treat it like any other game which should help massively.
 
Game went really well. The first words that the matchday coach said after the game were “absolutely amazing” so I’m quite pleased with myself. I had quite a bit to do actually. In the end finished with 2 yellows and 1 red for violent conduct. I could easily have justified a second yellow for another player but opted to manage the situation instead which paid off well. Gave a penalty then noticed an offside flag so changed the decision but correct outcome reached in the end (pen was right but offside occurred first). The focus for development I was given was my positioning, as I often found myself waiting for a long ball to be played before moving up the pitch, so I was told to work on anticipating that a bit better to make lighter work of my movement around the pitch. But overall I’m pleased, and even the losing side said I did well so I must have done something right!
My coach also counted fouls and came out with 18, so I was quite busy. 6 advantages one of which resulted in a goal so I was pleased with that too.
 
Just been given the VEO footage of the full game as well. Safe to say I'm pleased I spotted that red card as the incident looks slightly worse than I recall it being! Annoyed though because I think I over-managed with that potential second yellow, he should have walked.
 
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