I have been away from the forum for most of this season. I have been crazy busy refereeing and travelling as a result. I had some great opportunities to develop as a referee. All of the time dedicated to the profession this year has resulted in all of my non-refereeing time being spent with family. I'm back (a little).
Here are my thoughts. I'm an ex-player at the collegiate level here in the US. I have continued to play in adult leagues since. Total now, I've played about 41 years. I have been back refereeing for 5 (short stint in my youth). I have refereed with some EXCELLENT refs who played very little. I have refereed with some younger/former players who played at a much higher level than I did (some played low level professionally). I think there are benefits (and pitfalls) to being a player. It all depends on the individual, where they played/what position, their individual personality, size of ego, etc.
Here are my observations of converted high level players as well as my own experience:
- if someone goes into it thinking they know all the LOTG and their application based upon their background, they will struggle. How many players (and coaches) do we encounter at very high levels who don't understand the LOTG? or are operating on what they knew the LOTG to have been years ago? Former high level players have to check their ego and LEARN what they think they already knew.
- Players have not learned game/man management. This is a skill and must be developed.
- Players have not learned positioning. This is a skill and must be developed
- This is one that I had to be aware of... As a player you want to make a supporting run to an attack. As a referee you need to find different space, make a different run than you would as a player.
- Players do have an understanding of where play is going/likely to go. They have a head start on anticipating play
- Players need to learn the proper mechanics of refereeing. If they do not apply themselves to this, they look sloppy/disinterested/unprofessional even if they are right in their officiating.
- Players have their own opinions on what constitutes a foul sometimes depending on what position they played. Center backs might think if the attacker is still breathing, then it wasn't a foul. Great attacking players may think breathing on them constitutes a foul. They bring baggage with them as far as all the "wrongs" they "suffered" at the hands of refs
Don't get me wrong, I think recruiting former players is a great thing and there is huge potential BUT I think there are other skills that they must develop and habits to break that need to be done by progressing. There are things to learn on any game regardless of age/level in my opinion. I know a lot of players who started refereeing and said "this is a lot more to this than I thought". They do tend to advance quickly BUT I think they should still go through a progression. It is a fantastic referee candidate pool though especially if they are young. They need the right attitude and personality however and not all players have that.... hmmm... Joey Barton comes to mind. Imagine him as a referee?
As far as the respect from players... hard to say there. That depends... I have refereed an adult league that I used to play in. Some players were great. They knew me and the type of player that I am. I had played with some of them or against them and it helped BUT can't be too friendly (or have them be too friendly) or the other team will perceive it as favoritism. Now it did present problems with some of the habitual problem players. Two in particular knew me as a player (felt they were better as a player) and did not see me as a referee. This got sorted eventually (involved some cards). I don't see this as being as much of an issue for former pros turned refs. I think it would help if players knew you played at a higher level.
Overall, I think they are a great candidate pool but they still have much to learn AND need to have the right attitude/personality.