The Ref Stop

Throw in Signals

Big Cat said:
I hate the term semi-pro. It means naff all. The money usually amounts to a pittance and any player using the term has an inflated self image
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Try being in Scotland. Semi pro is called. Juniors
And no its adults, not kids
Semi pro is far preferable methinks!
 
The Ref Stop
Big Cat said:
I hate the term semi-pro. It means naff all. The money usually amounts to a pittance and any player using the term has an inflated self image
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Conference south development league then.

Smart dressed experienced level 4 ref, more of a professional environment than asking someone to pick up the dog sh*t on a Sunday morning.
 
I always classed semi pro as conference or maybe conference south / Ryman league.

Paid to play, pay to watch u & train 2/3 times per week.
 
Dont expect too many, if any, spectators at conference south development.

Many times they are colleges woth links to the club with the lads doing a btec. Should still be good standard..
 
JamesL said:
Dont expect too many, if any, spectators at conference south development.

Many times they are colleges woth links to the club with the lads doing a btec. Should still be good standard..
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That’ll be handy then I might not freeze on the big stage then..

Good job I didn’t take the league2 development game on Saturday or I think I’d be suicidle :eek:
 
Men in Black said:
Just ran the line in a local game, just to recap I’m I’m running the line in a semi-pro environment tomorrow evening & this is how my warm up went...

I found myself quite a lot getting distracted and taking my eyes off the second last defender, I often had to kick myself and say stop watching the game and get your eyes back on the line, I also spent every other 5 mins saying to myself blue left red right, blue left throw red right throw, then there was offsides god it’s hard to call sumtimes & unless your exactly inline you don’t give yourself the best chance to call it. I tried to crab up and down the line as much as possible rather than run facing the corner flag it’s not easy.

All in all it wasn’t enjoyable I rarely got a chance to watch the ref, I’m really starting to think that I’ve made a silly and ambitious move running the line tomorrow I could be out of my depths & could look a right fool infront of a fair few people.

I know the only way to learn and improve is to get out there and do it but I don’t want to look like a numpty infront of fellow officials & a pitch full of semi-pro footballers.
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You're not enjoying it yet because it's uncomfortable for you and too much of what you're doing requires conscious thought still rather than happening int he background.
Once you get up past a slow jog pace is probably time to stop crabbing and start jogging.

It's good that you're aware of the risk of ball watching - only spectators pay at the gate!
If the ball is up the other end of the field, just keep glancing back at the defender. As play starts heading your way, you'll be flicking between the defender and the ball more and more to keep a closer eye on the defender. You'll learn, over time, when to stare at the defender and use your peripheral vision for the ball, even audio cures.

You're right about offside being hard to call - and it can take a lot of guts to keep the flag down sometimes. The hardest are when the defender and attacker are sprinting in opposite directions and cross over at the rough moment the ball is played through. spectators won't look at the attacker until he's 10 yards behind the defender and think he's clearly off, but you know where he was when it was kicked.

Over time you'll learn the right balance of monitoring the defender while keeping an eye on play and the off-the-ball stuff. At the moment it's probably good to overly focus on the defender, and you'll get better at tracking them over time. you can monitor play, you just need to monitor the defender as well
 
MIB, another tip here. Assuming you are the junior AR in your next game you would have a relatively expereience and good senior AR. When the ball is down the other end you would have a bit more time on your hand. Wtach the other AR on his movements, positioning and signals. What he does for goal kicks, corners, offsides etc. Attention to details is important. For example your movement and positioning is most likely different on defensive FK in Penalty Area than outside PA (depending on other factors too). Or if taken by a keeper or a field player.

A lot you can learn by watching a good AR as you would by watching a good referee.
 
one said:
MIB, another tip here. Assuming you are the junior AR in your next game you would have a relatively expereience and good senior AR. When the ball is down the other end you would have a bit more time on your hand. Wtach the other AR on his movements, positioning and signals. What he does for goal kicks, corners, offsides etc. Attention to details is important. For example your movement and positioning is most likely different on defensive FK in Penalty Area than outside PA (depending on other factors too). Or if taken by a keeper or a field player.

A lot you can learn by watching a good AR as you would by watching a good referee.
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Thank you yes I’ll be glued to him when ball is in his half.

The game is on tonight 7.30pm kick off, I just want to look the part on the touchline & have faith from the ref and other Lino, I also want the players to not even consider me to be a beginner.

I feel like I’m on an undercover programme pretending to be someone, I’ve gone from slating AR to taking a job on the line that is out of my comfort zone & with two level 4’s.

If you could give me a do or die piece of advice for tonight ONE what would it be mate?
 
There is no magic wand. I wish there was. By far your two biggest tasks are offside and ball over the line for a goal no goal decision. Be in the right position for those two to make your decision credible and have faith in yourself.
 
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