The Ref Stop

First Open Age game

  • Thread starter Thread starter WAFCryan2014
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WAFCryan2014

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Hi,
Quick question, I am looking to do my first open age game on 21st October. I've refereed up to U17s and I'm wondering is there any advice you could give me, for my first open age game? Is there anything I should do differently?

Thanks,
Ryan.
 
The Ref Stop
Hi Ryan, I went straight into open age games, and don't do youth matches unless appointed by my county, so I can't advise on specific differences between the two.

However, that being said my limited experience is that OA players will, possibly, be louder and will most likely play a more physical game. But, you won't have a gang of parents on the sideline.

In terms of how you approach the match I would say referee the way the way you always do.

OA is, depending on the level, not generally faster than than the higher age youth games, and if you've been doing top division youth games and go into a bottom division OA game you may find the standard of football is lower.

As a referee they've never come across before expect the players to try and push their luck to see what you'll let them get away with.

Not really that helpful I know, but good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
I think Zara is broadly right - at low levels of OA football, you won't have much of a sideline to worry about. What might catch you out is that the players will be trying all sorts of tricks and, if they are significantly older than you, may try to use that age/experience to intimidate you.

Have faith in your decision making, keep it under control and I'm sure you'll be fine!
 
GraemeS said:
...if they are significantly older than you, may try to use that age/experience to intimidate you...
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I can identify with that, I'm 33 this year but have a bit of baby face, I have noticed a marked difference in my matches when I have a beard.

No either my facial hair bestows some magic refereeing powers, or, it makes me look older and players feel less inclined to push their luck.
 
Thanks for the comments and responses. That is true you won't have parents to deal with, sometimes they can be a bit of hard work.

I've recently turned 17 and don't look 17, I look a lot younger and have a baby face! I've been assistant referee to Level 4s this season at Step 7 so that's beneficial in terms of development for me. I've been appointed to an U18s game Sunday, so that'll be my first U18s but I've done lots of U15s, U16s and a few U17s. The players tend to be a lot taller than I am though! I agree with what you're saying some youth games might be better standard of football than open age games.

I feel as though because I want to go for promotion for next season, it's best to start refereeing open age games very soon and I'll let you know how I get on for sure!
 
WAFCryan2014 said:
Hi,
Quick question, I am looking to do my first open age game on 21st October. I've refereed up to U17s and I'm wondering is there any advice you could give me, for my first open age game? Is there anything I should do differently?

Thanks,
Ryan.
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Hello Ryan,

Is that in the Cheshire league?
 
JamesL said:
Hello Ryan,

Is that in the Cheshire league?
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Hi James, The first few open age games I intend to do will be in the Warrington leagues reserve divisions. Then once I can drive a car, I'll go into refereeing in the Cheshire League.
 
Expect them to be quite vocal. Just be decisive and stick with your decisions. Dont get caught up in explaining every decision. I've not any experience of that league as I somehow managed to avoid reffing it with Cheshire league being my main league for lines and middles.
Let us know how u get on... think thats Vase weekend so i assume your coach wont be able to come and watch it?
 
No difference at all young man, it's just another game of football for you to manage. You may need to keep a tighter grip but that's about all. Take no 'crap', no prisoners either.
 
I'll only do a few games in Warrington League and Cheshire League reserve divisions, or div 2 and 1 will be a bit more of a step up in terms of discipline, set ups etc. I did 25 lines in Warrington League Prem last season so have a good understanding of roughly what it'll be like, as well as watching my dad for past 4 ish years.

I'll let you know how I get on, the ref appointments said email him 10 days before, but I'll do it 2 weeks before. I'm unsure to be honest, I'm hoping to go with him for his game this Saturday, so I'll mention it then.

Thank you for the advice.
 
Mintyref said:
No difference at all young man, it's just another game of football for you to manage. You may need to keep a tighter grip but that's about all. Take no 'crap', no prisoners either.
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Thanks exactly. I'll referee it exactly the same, it's just red v blue etc. I treat each game with the same importance.
 
Today I refereed the game. It went very well no issues at all, 22 handshakes. Finished 3-5, can't get carried away though I'll have tougher open age games than today and I'm only as good as my next game.

Thanks for the advice ^^
 
Honestly James there's nothing it was a really comfortable game. But my dad will tell me later a few pointers like looking down when marking 10 yards, I look backwards but when I walk forward I look down. Need to get out of that habit. Also, one thing a player was injured slightly today so I told him to leave FOP then I'll wave him back on, but one of players said he didn't get treated.
 
WAFCryan2014 said:
Honestly James there's nothing it was a really comfortable game. But my dad will tell me later a few pointers like looking down when marking 10 yards, I look backwards but when I walk forward I look down. Need to get out of that habit. Also, one thing a player was injured slightly today so I told him to leave FOP then I'll wave him back on, but one of players said he didn't get treated.
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Yes very important to retain awareness as things can happen elsewhere in the box so stay alert. Looking back at ball AND into the pebalty area where players are gathering.

Did the players "physio" come on the pitch? If so he has to go. If no assessment takes place then they dont need to leave. Did you stop play for it ? What type of injury was it?
 
They didn't have a physio as such but it was an awkward one. There was a person who came on the pitch right next to the touchline, but didn't actually treat him. The reason why I told him come off was because that person came on the FOP.

As it was a slight injury I didn't stop play but, his team knocked it out for a throw in. It was a minor foot injury. If it was serious I'd have stopped it
 
Well then you were correct to ask him to leave.

Well done, sounds like you have had a good game.
 
Thanks James. I had a bit of doubt in my mind but thanks for clarification. I have to be as prepared as possible because I'll be applying for for promotion in March, to go from 7-6.
 
I cut my teeth with the U12, U13 etc and then jumped straight to OA, (around 2006), sadly I jumped straight into probably the worst first game in OA that I ever faced after that... 2 off in the first half from the same team, multiple bookings, penalties, fights, just about as hard as it gets. After that I really questioned myself as to whether it was worth the hassle, luckily I learned loads very quickly and became one of the best refs in the league. They begged me for all the tough games, never the easy cakewalks.... I'd made a rod for my own back. Yes, I got a no nonsense reputation and that stuck with me as I mellowed but they knew what not to do!! You can only ref whats before you and a kid game can go bad too. Be honest, be brave, don't suffer fools, don't be taken for a ride too. Don't be too friendly, they aren't your friends, especially in the 90 minutes. Its glorified bullsh1t that greeting stuff, they want home decisions.... its a ruse!!! :angel:
 
Sheffields Finest said:
I cut my teeth with the U12, U13 etc and then jumped straight to OA, (around 2006), sadly I jumped straight into probably the worst first game in OA that I ever faced after that... 2 off in the first half from the same team, multiple bookings, penalties, fights, just about as hard as it gets. After that I really questioned myself as to whether it was worth the hassle, luckily I learned loads very quickly and became one of the best refs in the league. They begged me for all the tough games, never the easy cakewalks.... I'd made a rod for my own back. Yes, I got a no nonsense reputation and that stuck with me as I mellowed but they knew what not to do!! You can only ref whats before you and a kid game can go bad too. Be honest, be brave, don't suffer fools, don't be taken for a ride too. Don't be too friendly, they aren't your friends, especially in the 90 minutes. Its glorified bullsh1t that greeting stuff, they want home decisions.... its a ruse!!! :angel:
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All went well today but not getting carried away with it. And some junior games can be tougher than open age ones!
 
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