The Ref Stop

Observation marks: what counts as avarage-good-very good?

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davidmt

davidmt

New Member
Hi,


I’m fairly new to the UK and I’m going from 5 to 4. I had a good game where I felt my observer was very pleased with my performance. My mark was 72.3.


While I’m happy with it, I’d just like to clarify what is considered a good mark and what isn’t, as all the observations I hear about seem to range between 70 and 73(?).


I’ve checked some past posts, but I know things have changed over the years. I’m not worried about the average needed — I’d just like to know when a mark is considered VERY good and when it’s just OK. Also, is the criteria the same across all levels, or for example, would a 72 be good at level 5 to 4 but poor at level 4 to 3?


Thank you!
 
The Ref Stop
Hi, David
When going from 5 to 4, you need to achieve an average of 71.5 or higher in your (usually 4) observations.
Those that get 71.5 or higher are submitted to The FA for consideration.
At that point in the process The FA will consider all the candidates' marks, but will also take into consideration how many 4's they need in each area to allow suitable coverage without having too many with insufficient games to give them regularly.
The same observation report form is used at Level 4 and Level 3 (different to the 5>4 form) but Observers will expect those at Level 3 to do some things which in a Level 4 would possibly exceed expectations.
The marking criteria are constant in Levels 3 to 5, with a 70 indicating "met the expected level" and a 73 indicating a performance from a referee showing potential for promotion.
Marks below 70 for a referee or assistant referee indicate "did not meet the expected standard for this level"
Marks above 73 indicate a performance which was far better than the level expected.
Referees at Levels 3 and 4 have access to the Observer Manual for officials in those levels, so are able to see how the process works.
There is a referee group on community.thefa.com which you may find helpful.
Hope that helps.
 
ChasObserverRefDeveloper said:
Hi, David
When going from 5 to 4, you need to achieve an average of 71.5 or higher in your (usually 4) observations.
Those that get 71.5 or higher are submitted to The FA for consideration.
At that point in the process The FA will consider all the candidates' marks, but will also take into consideration how many 4's they need in each area to allow suitable coverage without having too many with insufficient games to give them regularly.
The same observation report form is used at Level 4 and Level 3 (different to the 5>4 form) but Observers will expect those at Level 3 to do some things which in a Level 4 would possibly exceed expectations.
The marking criteria are constant in Levels 3 to 5, with a 70 indicating "met the expected level" and a 73 indicating a performance from a referee showing potential for promotion.
Marks below 70 for a referee or assistant referee indicate "did not meet the expected standard for this level"
Marks above 73 indicate a performance which was far better than the level expected.
Referees at Levels 3 and 4 have access to the Observer Manual for officials in those levels, so are able to see how the process works.
There is a referee group on community.thefa.com which you may find helpful.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks a lot for clarifying — that really helps. I'll take a look at the referee group. Cheers!
 
The average Mark in our area for level 4 this season is 72.3. So I would agree anything 73 or above would suggest you having a good game.

Have the FA drop the average this season Last season it was 72 not 71.5 ?
 
Egg man said:
The average Mark in our area for level 4 this season is 72.3. So I would agree anything 73 or above would suggest you having a good game.

Have the FA drop the average this season Last season it was 72 not 71.5 ?
Click to expand...
Are you sure you are talking about the same thing. Last season the average for L5-L4 was 71.5 to be considered for promotion. As far as I am aware there is no average set by the FA for Level 4’s & above. However, I agree with you that any mark at 73 or above is a Referee having a good game.
 
Egg man said:
The average Mark in our area for level 4 this season is 72.3. So I would agree anything 73 or above would suggest you having a good game.

Have the FA drop the average this season Last season it was 72 not 71.5 ?
Click to expand...
The average set by The FA is only for referees seeking to go 5>4, and is currently 71.5. Previously it was 71.0.
 
Average mark is determined by the total number of marks divided the total number of observer report.

Anything above that = Good
Anything significantly above that = Very good.
 
Last edited:
JamesL said:
Average mark is determined by the total number of marks divided the total number of observer actions.

Anything above that = Good
Anything significantly above that = Very good.
Click to expand...
This is unequivocally true at Level 3 and above, where there’s one national list. At Level 4, it’s true in each regional pool but marks in each region might well vary significantly (North v South especially … allegedly!).

At 5 to 4, as there is a defined minimum mark required, it’s theoretically possible that a referee might score (well) above the average mark and still not be viewed as “good” by the FA. Equally, it’s entirely possible that simply achieving the ‘pass’ mark won’t be good enough, as many referees found to their cost last season!
 
Russell Jones said:
This is unequivocally true at Level 3 and above, where there’s one national list. At Level 4, it’s true in each regional pool but marks in each region might well vary significantly (North v South especially … allegedly!).

At 5 to 4, as there is a defined minimum mark required, it’s theoretically possible that a referee might score (well) above the average mark and still not be viewed as “good” by the FA. Equally, it’s entirely possible that simply achieving the ‘pass’ mark won’t be good enough, as many referees found to their cost last season!
Click to expand...
Yes the average will be different in each pool but the maths behind the average does not change. Agree that what may be a good mark in one pool could below average in another.
The minimum mark is just that, and as you rightly say does not guarantee a spot in the level 4 list. My advice to anyone is aim to get as high a mark as you possibly can. Be regularly available and keep your admin and fitness tip top.
 
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