The Ref Stop

Open Age Hi new here and to refereeing

James Freeth

James Freeth

New Member
Level 9 Referee
Hi everyone I'm new to refereeing fresh off the course. Got my first game this Sunday in a league I used to play in a few years ago. The two teams I'm doing are known for their gobby and aggressive playing styles a few naughty tackles etc. Any advice I know it's gonna be tough but if I start on this it can only get better right?
 
The Ref Stop
Big thing for new refs is not to be afraid to use your cards. The second you think a player has crossed the line or has stopped listening to you, a dissent caution is your only option and will probably make the rest of the match easier as well.
 
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Use your cards if needed, keep up with play strong signals and a very loud whistle blow. I also find that communication goes a long way to help a game along.
 
Do you know Law 11 and Law 12 like the back of your hand?
If not, get reviewing!
These are your bread and butter. You don't want a foul to happen and stand there thinking 'crap, what type of free kick is that?' Revise those.
I used to revise a chapter the morning before each game - and if anything happened I was unsure about, revise that entire law.
Aside from that - signal confidently, arms, voice and whistle. Don't look uncertain.
 
Watch your run as you will tend to run like a player rather than a referee, get in good positions to sell your decisions always close to play..watch the keepers at warm up to see where their kick outs land this will give you an indicator of where to stand to watch for little shoves etc... be confident in your decisions, be sharp with your signals, don't be frightened to card early let's them know you mean business and will stop the gabbiness and be firm from the start 'pre match chat' let them know you are in charge. Good luck
 
Exude confidence, even if your stomach is turning at high speed inside. No-one there knows you are a new ref, so don't act like one - as you used to be a player you know how you would have treated a nervous ref, so don't give them a chance. Most of all, go out to enjoy yourself.
 
A Freethinker said:
Watch your run as you will tend to run like a player rather than a referee, get in good positions to sell your decisions always close to play..watch the keepers at warm up to see where their kick outs land this will give you an indicator of where to stand to watch for little shoves etc... be confident in your decisions, be sharp with your signals, don't be frightened to card early let's them know you mean business and will stop the gabbiness and be firm from the start 'pre match chat' let them know you are in charge. Good luck
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How do you not run like a player? My biggest fear is ball watching
 
James Freeth said:
How do you not run like a player? My biggest fear is ball watching
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i think he's referring to the path you choose and positions you take up.
as a player you are looking for space in which to receive the ball and read the play accordingly.
as a referee you are still reading the play in a similar way BUT you need to be in positions to SEE the next likely piece of action, not be involved in it
 
I do both - Referee and play. I've never had a difference between the two. You will be able to understand the game much easily as a player/former player. It will take a little getting used too but it will soon become second nature.

Just enjoy it. My advice - Don't take any crap!
 
Went as well as it could I suppose. Didn't get too much grief just questioning the way I gave a couple of throws because it went against the linesman. Also one offside I disagreed with simply because the player offside made no attempt to play the ball he just jogged back towards his half the whole time I got more stick from a few mates of the winning side that had come over to watch. Looking back on it two things I need to work on is positioning, I hugged one touchline too much and also signals. I on a couple of occasions got a little lost and didn't quite know which way to signal a throw in I knew the team to have the last touch but in the moment didn't know which way to signal I'm hoping this comes with experience.
 
James Freeth said:
Went as well as it could I suppose. Didn't get too much grief just questioning the way I gave a couple of throws because it went against the linesman. Also one offside I disagreed with simply because the player offside made no attempt to play the ball he just jogged back towards his half the whole time I got more stick from a few mates of the winning side that had come over to watch. Looking back on it two things I need to work on is positioning, I hugged one touchline too much and also signals. I on a couple of occasions got a little lost and didn't quite know which way to signal a throw in I knew the team to have the last touch but in the moment didn't know which way to signal I'm hoping this comes with experience.
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So at those time tell the teams who has the throw, very loudly, I sometimes have similar problems especially in the first few minutes of each half.
 
I talk to myself, especially when on the line. That way I have a visual memory and an audible one.
 
Mintyref said:
So at those time tell the teams who has the throw, very loudly, I sometimes have similar problems especially in the first few minutes of each half.
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Murder for this when on the line. Especially after half time interval.

My party piece is if the keeper kicks a goal kicm directly put of play I award him a throw. Followd swiftly by a flag drop. Other hand and indicate the correct way. Follwed by a wry smile at those around me.
 
Hi James, it's Chris here. I was on your course :)

Had my first game today as well although mine was a youth game. Went fairly well, probably similar to you.
 
Yeah, I'll echo what others have said here - for the first few throws in the second half, I'll often only give a vocal indication until I can check which end players are and be sure of pointing the right way. Usually with GK/corner decisions, it's fairly clear, but even if it's not, it's sometimes safer to just hesitate for a second and make sure than have to awkwardly contradict yourself.
 
ChrisP said:
Hi James, it's Chris here. I was on your course :)

Had my first game today as well although mine was a youth game. Went fairly well, probably similar to you.
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Hello mate,
Got two games next weekend. How did you find it physically like with ya knee? Mine held up but is sore Im hoping this will strengthen it eventually.

Thanks everyone else for the advice all taken on board.
 
Had a heel injury as soon as I started reffing games... the course doesn't tell you it's best to learn to pivot your runs rather than stop hard and chase the other way...
just got back to regular reffing... so much easier now I know!! Lol

James Freeth said:
Hello mate,
Got two games next weekend. How did you find it physically like with ya knee? Mine held up but is sore Im hoping this will strengthen it eventually.

Thanks everyone else for the advice all taken on board.
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I'd echo the idea of verbal communication as well. Big shout of 'Blue ball!' will at least give you a second to remember which way they're going and signal the right way. Much better to give a slightly delayed correct signal than a rapid incorrect one that you have to put right.

I also talk to myself when on the line, as I find it really helps (though any players/coaches that hear probably think I've gone insane)
 
I agree with UKColt, I keep a running commentary about who is on and who is off side so if the CAR flags I have a rough idea who they might be flagging for. I do it in my head though!
 
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