The Ref Stop

To say or not to say...

RonnieM

RonnieM

Active Member
Level 7 Referee
Thoughts on telling coaches that you are relatively inexperienced/newly qualified against winging it like you have been refereeing for a while.
Do you expect leeway or getting used?

I know it has probably been asked before... so sorry if it is a repeat thread.
 
The Ref Stop
Absolutely wouldn’t. Carry yourself with confidence, professionalism, and a knowledge of the game. Be as good as you can possibly be for them and expect them to do the same. You don’t care how long they’ve coached; doesn’t matter. Shouldn’t matter to them how many games you’ve done. Plan to do the kind of job where they’d be floored if they found out.
 
If they are reasonable people, it shouldn't matter if the know or not, or if you are new or not, they would just accept that you are going to make some mistakes, some of which are actually not mistakes but they think it is.

If they are not reasonable, you are just giving them ammunition to shoot you with.

No point telling them
 
I would if you are still in your 5 game probation period. It sets an expectation for them, and as others have said, it may give them ammunition; I think it can help you. Once they realise you are just starting out, the more sane players will help you control the worst players.

It will also allow for some poor decisions.

We all have to learn, and not taking advantage of any assistance can only harm you. It is also useful if you have a mentor watching, so they are more aware of it.
 
When I did my first couple of games, I told the managers I was newly qualified. These were all OA mens games as well.. Whilst I got a couple things wrong, even I admit on my reflection back then, the players and managers were actually quite accepting of me.
I've refereed them since, and we mostly have had a good relationship, including them asking me to cover friendlies during preseason.

Now, after doing some youth games, if they were my first, I think I wouldn't have told them. Managers in youth tend to find any excuse to put the blame onto you. I've had a lot more issues with youth managers, than I've had with OA players.
OA players may give abuse, I may sin bin them for dissent, but I've had them come to me after the game and buy a pint to apologise.
 
You'll get criticism from both teams/benches throughout the course of any match you do, whatever level you're operating at. Tis just the way of things.

Telling them before the game that you're "new" won't change this.
Telling them afterwards however, may at least serve as a half decent "come-back" for you in response to any comments/criticism you might receive post-match. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top