How do I know if I’m good?

[cancan]

So this might be a weird one for most but the ones been on this path should probably know the answer how can I know if I’m any good or maybe having a future in refereeing what’s the trick that i can at least make a guest based on something.. This is something on my mind so long I’m getting table clashes high divisions but because of lack of neutral feedback I sometimes question myself..

 

[RustyRef]

So lads this might be a weird one for most but the ones been on this path should probably know the answer how can I know if I’m any good or maybe having a future in refereeing what’s the trick that i can at least make a guest based on something.. This is something on my mind so long I’m getting table clashes high divisions but because of lack of neutral feedback I sometimes question myself..

Apply for promotion, you will then get qualified and independent match day coaches appraising your performance.

 

[socal lurker]

@RustyRef haa the best answer, but you can also get a sense from your feel of the game. Are you reading the game and being a step ahead? Are you seeing the potential hot spots before they happen and adjusting to be ready?

 

[markieg]

Learn to not take it too personal. Often you can have a decent game and managers will say that you were crap etc. Football is often about opinions. I watch my local team and will see things in my way as I am a fan of them, will complain about ref decisions, but later when at home, will know that the ref had a decent game, but at the time you don't as emotion gets involved.

I try the thing of watching matches on TV and making decisions see if my decisions fall in line with the on field ref.

 

[RefereeX]

I try the thing of watching matches on TV and making decisions see if my decisions fall in line with the on field ref.

Funnily enough I've been to a Ruebyn Ricardo talk and he did the same thing as a kid. His back story is fascinating and inspiring. But he got in to refereeing and was watching the TV trying to predict what would be given and when.

 

[santa sangria]

Not necessarily “correct” answers, but signs:

What does the losing team say to you after the match? (If it’s positive, even better if it’s “best this season”, you are rocking)

Are you giving dissent cards (of sin bins) and why? (Dissent cards to both teams, especially both benches, usually mean match control could be better. Some dissent is unavoidable but some can be mitigated or is linked to how we sell decisions).

How well do you know your toolbox and where you could develop? (If you remember bits of movement you did well or could have adjusted, if you remember positioning at free kicks, ceremonial warnings, injury+card management, proactive moments with players… if you are conscious and analyzing these things, or starting to, it’s a good sign)

 

[one]

Are you giving dissent cards (of sin bins) and why? (Dissent cards to both teams, especially both benches, usually mean match control could be better. Some dissent is unavoidable but some can be mitigated or is linked to how we sell decisions).

This is a very dangerous 'guide' to let out of the bag. Even more dangerous to misuse to judge a referee on. I know/knew a lot of referees who didn't give dissen't or didn't report it in order to give the appearance that they are good at controling games. Same goes for OFFINABUS.

 

[JamesL]

This is a very dangerous 'guide' to let out of the bag. Even more dangerous to misuse to judge a referee on. I know/knew a lot of referees who didn't give dissen't or didn't report it in order to give the appearance that they are good at controling games. Same goes for OFFINABUS.

Agree. When sin bins first came along at one point I was personally accountable for a 3rd of all dissent sin bins on the league I reffed (6/18).

I got promoted at the end of that season.

 

[santa sangria]

This is a very dangerous 'guide' to let out of the bag. Even more dangerous to misuse to judge a referee on. I know/knew a lot of referees who didn't give dissen't or didn't report it in order to give the appearance that they are good at controling games. Same goes for OFFINABUS.

I think you can make a separate bullet about “not giving dissent cards”.

 

[RustyRef]

This is a very dangerous 'guide' to let out of the bag. Even more dangerous to misuse to judge a referee on. I know/knew a lot of referees who didn't give dissen't or didn't report it in order to give the appearance that they are good at controling games. Same goes for OFFINABUS.

I think it works both ways. Referees giving dissent cards doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong, but if they are consistently giving out more cautions for dissent than all other offences put together that is almost certainly an indicator that there is an underlying problem with their refereeing.

 

[santa sangria]

I think it’s also about self reflection. If you have the awareness to study your dissent cards and work out what you could have done better, then it’s more likely you are a good referee.

If you are waving cards at shouting players don’t have the capacity (also support/help) to analyze then you are maybe not yet

 

[one]

This reminds me of a lotg quiz question that asked how many offences constitute persistent offences.

In a league, there will always be one referee with the least number of cards (or sin bins) and one referee with the most number cards. This fact can't be disputed. Just because they are in that 'position' doesn't necessarily make them good or bad referees. Of course if they make that position with daylight between them and second place then it perhaps needs to be looked at.

In terms of card count, the aim is to have the least possible. Deliberately not issuing cards when deserved is just cheating bluntly put unless it's just due to lack of courage. A wise man once told me the best way to achieve a small card count, especially dissent, is to work on your personality, communication and level of offence tolerance (verbal or physical) in order to influence player behavior so that they don't put you in a position to think about cards in the first place. If you can do that then you know you are good

 

[Homer Ref]

A good ref? Able to explain their decisions through the LOTG at every turn.