New ref, old (very) player, dozen games mainly teenagers 9 and 11 aside. Sunday U13 game, decent standard except the pitch quickly turned to a mud bath. I was hit, got in the way, of maybe half a dozen clearances (only ever been hit once before). Trying to workout why (I think/hope the home team are going to give me VEO access so I can re-watch). Reflection: I was closer to the action than usual (safeguarding as plyers were slipping and sliding into each other), given the condition more hefty quick clearances than usual, the ball was getting heavy and players were struggling to get any lift: maybe a mix of all three. Any thoughts/likely causes or remedies please?
Junior/Youth In the way of the ball
- Thread starter fredsboy
- Start date
If it's a mud bath it's harder for you to react quickly to get out the way, harder for the players to aim their passes correctly, everything is harder.
Getting hit that much in one game is far from ideal, but sometimes it is just down to bad luck.
Good idea to watch back and reflect if you think you could have done something differently though!
Getting hit that much in one game is far from ideal, but sometimes it is just down to bad luck.
Good idea to watch back and reflect if you think you could have done something differently though!
ChasObserverRefDeveloper
Regular Contributor
Think back to when the ball hit you. Were you in the middle of the f. o. p., and were you in the middle of the active players? If so, consider whether a deeper and/or wider location may have been preferable.
Kes
I'll Decide ...
If the conditions are dictating the flow of the game, then you have to react to that.
Just position yourself wider or further away from the melee, even if it feels like you're doing the right thing by being closer to see those slippery challenges - you likely aren't. Be mindful of the conditions and if it looks at first glance that it could be a "foul" then just give it.
Just position yourself wider or further away from the melee, even if it feels like you're doing the right thing by being closer to see those slippery challenges - you likely aren't. Be mindful of the conditions and if it looks at first glance that it could be a "foul" then just give it.
I refereed a u15s game recently for a mate. The passes were so random and unpredictable, that I found myself getting in the way, once or twice (or more).
Sometimes it just happens. I went ages without being hit by the ball, then got hit 3 times in the same step 3 game, resulting in the home manager asking if I'd sign for them as I'd touched the ball more than their striker. My positioning wasn't any different in that game to others, it was just bad luck.
Trying to stay out of the centre circle can help, you should never be stood still in there as that is where you are most likely to get in the way.
Trying to stay out of the centre circle can help, you should never be stood still in there as that is where you are most likely to get in the way.
That can often be the problem, as a referee you can take an educated guess where a player will kick the ball, but that is dependent on them kicking it where they intended. It is hardly the referee's fault if the player miskicks it and it hits them. If I'm in a bad position and the ball hits me, or I get in the way, I'll hold my hands up and apologise, but if they just kick it at me and have a moan I'll just say something like "I'm not invisible".
At least now when it happens it won't affect the game. I can remember being on the line where a player effectively played a wall pass off the referee on the edge of the penalty area and immediately smashed a shot into the top corner. The defending team went ballistic and the referee was distraught and blamed himself.
This, to me, is the most accurate explanation for why you often get hit by the ball or end up in the way during youth football.
Unless you're officiating at the highest levels of youth football, predicting where the ball will go is nearly impossible. Most youth teams lack a game plan, resulting in a lot of aimless kicking, miskicks, and chaotic battles for possession. In such situations, it can be incredibly difficult to maintain a clear view of the play without occasionally getting in the way.
Additionally, in my experience, a lot of teams don't utilise the whole pitch, with play often becoming concentrated in one area or side of the field. I've found this can lead to me getting drawn into the action and loosing a sense of my positioning.
Yep, that was me on Saturday... said the exact same thing too!
Covered a U18 league cup game Sunday morning. Home team breaking forward, switch the play to the other wing and the ball clips my arm on the way through. Slight deflection, falls perfectly for the winger. Not a single person said anything. We played on and I quickly brushed the mud off me 
Apply Law
No advantage gained. I went with a drop ball which gave me a chance to speak to the player and we can all move on. The club responded, "I noticed the ball hit you 3 or 4 times in the first half. I’d put it down as excellent positioning!!" and they have granted me access to the video footage.
I'm too soft
