The Ref Stop

Unannounced Assessment

Big Cat

Big Cat

RefChat Addict
Level 4 Referee
Had my first observation at the weekend. Not great that it came in a poor standard Sunday League game on a pitch which was very small

I was taken aback the the observer turned up out of the blue. Reading back through my CFA promotion bumf, it does say the observer MAY contact us in advance
Just wondering if this is common practise because the observer manuals I've read all promote the requirement to make contact ahead of the game

It didn't make much difference to my observation anyway. Thinking about it, I reckon all assessments should be done by surprise and I'd have no issue with pre-game stuff being observed by afar. But it seems unfair if CFA's are being inconsistent

Thoughts please
 
The Ref Stop
Sometimes observers can become free because their original match is cancelled. If done on the morning, it is better for him just to turn up than contact you in advance. He doesn't know when you will there and travelling. :bite:

Or the other thought - you have been cancelling matches with pre-announced observations, so they have done to catch up out :wtf:
 
In Kent it is incumbent on the referee to make contact with the observer before the match to confirm timings and venue etc.

However, we also get told when we are going to be observed, normally at least a week in advance, but obviously sometimes things change and an observer becomes available at short notice.

Did you know you were going to be observed, but the observer didn't make contact, or did you have no idea until he turned up?
 
zarathustra said:
In Kent it is incumbent on the referee to make contact with the observer before the match to confirm timings and venue etc.

However, we also get told when we are going to be observed, normally at least a week in advance, but obviously sometimes things change and an observer becomes available at short notice.

Did you know you were going to be observed, but the observer didn't make contact, or did you have no idea until he turned up?
Click to expand...
I wasn't contacted and didn't know I'd be observed. I haven't cancelled any games or anything like that. It may have slightly affected me pre-game as I spent 5 minutes discussing the surprise and was thrown off a little. It didn't affect me once the game started
 
Personally, I think that if you're being observed because your County FA have appointed you one as part of your promotion process, it's pretty poor show to:

1. Not know in advance.
2. Not have been contacted by the Observer even an hour before the match to advise you of their presence.

In my County FA, even if an Observer becomes available a day or so before the match, ALL parties are informed and aware.

Just my opinion BC, but I'd be extremely irritated if that had happened to me when I was going for it. :cool:
 
Kes said:
Personally, I think that if you're being observed because your County FA have appointed you one as part of your promotion process, it's pretty poor show to:

1. Not know in advance.
2. Not have been contacted by the Observer even an hour before the match to advise you of their presence.

In my County FA, even if an Observer becomes available a day or so before the match, ALL parties are informed and aware.

Just my opinion BC, but I'd be extremely irritated if that had happened to me when I was going for it. :cool:
Click to expand...
Your response is kinda what I'd be typically expecting
I wasn't massively put out by it as I happen to think that all observations should be done this way. There are many instances in the workplace in which spot checks are most apt. What bothered me was that I knew it was quite uncommon and therefore felt slightly disadvantaged. Why can't anything in football be consistent!?
The report has come back OK... good communication and match control... summary statement was, "As stated to you, no major problems, just some fine tuning to do to improve your future refereeing performances' | edit: quite a few minor development points, none involving jewellery ;)
So good to get the first one out of the way relatively unscathed and I'll be ready for CFA geezers hiding in bushes next time!
 
In my area you're not informed of an observation before the game day, but I believe the clubs are. Turned up to a County Cup match last season for the home team manager to shout "You're being assessed today, oh yes you are!" and was pretty taken aback that I could only say "Oh am I?"


On the plus side, looks like you got a positive assessment. :)
 
RobOda said:
In my area you're not informed of an observation before the game day, but I believe the clubs are. Turned up to a County Cup match last season for the home team manager to shout "You're being assessed today, oh yes you are!" and was pretty taken aback that I could only say "Oh am I?"
Click to expand...

That's even crapper admin!! :eek::wall:
 
I did get pulled up for an inadequate check of everyone's £200 Puma Kings or whatever they had on the feet
Some members will be chortling at this revelation... I stopped short of asking Mr Observer what I was meant to be looking for... although I do have to resist my inclination to be rebellious and refractory :yawn:
 
Big Cat said:
I did get pulled up for an inadequate check of everyone's £200 Puma Kings or whatever they had on the feet
Some members will be chortling at this revelation... I stopped short of asking Mr Observer what I was meant to be looking for... although I do have to resist my inclination to be rebellious and refractory :yawn:
Click to expand...

You know I've never been picked up for kit checks etc when being observed.

I generally do a quick walk around while teams are warming up, rather than making players line up like school children.

What did he say was wrong with the check?
 
zarathustra said:
You know I've never been picked up for kit checks etc when being observed.

I generally do a quick walk around while teams are warming up, rather than making players line up like school children.

What did he say was wrong with the check?
Click to expand...
One of the teams had 50% black socks and 50% purple, promising to have it sorted out by next week. That kinda negated a need for a thorough kit check as both teams were irrecoverably dishevelled. I spoke to Mr O and we agreed to just crack on
Had three wedding bands removed, but the boot check was quite conspicuous by its complete absence. I've historically pledged to forego promotion based on my obstinance in this respect, but Mr O was a nice chap and gently persuasive; so I'm re-considering my position
 
The observers must make contact with you before kick off and they must do a debrief after. There is no requirement to make contact before arriving at the ground though, other than best practice. Personally I do as that is courteous, and also means the candidate knows to phone me if the game goes down for any reason.
 
going for promotion as well. the pre games checks are things we can control so we get them right it helps to give a good impression and then we only have to worry about the game. boot checks nets corner flags pitch inspections are now so routine for me it would feel odd if i didnt do them.
i got my call 2 days before had a great observation although if you listened to the home team losing manager i was pants.
 
RustyRef said:
The observers must make contact with you before kick off and they must do a debrief after. There is no requirement to make contact before arriving at the ground though, other than best practice. Personally I do as that is courteous, and also means the candidate knows to phone me if the game goes down for any reason.
Click to expand...
That word for word what Mr O said
As I said, it didn't bother me too much but it should be the same for everyone
It could work both ways I guess. Knowing in advance could get some refs worked up
 
Big Cat said:
That word for word what Mr O said
As I said, it didn't bother me too much but it should be the same for everyone
It could work both ways I guess. Knowing in advance could get some refs worked up
Click to expand...

It is a lot better than it used to be. I once got a phone call the following evening from an assessor to discuss the game. I was gobsmacked, aside from the players and coaches there was no one there at all, he must have been up a tree … :)
 
RustyRef said:
It is a lot better than it used to be. I once got a phone call the following evening from an assessor to discuss the game. I was gobsmacked, aside from the players and coaches there was no one there at all, he must have been up a tree … :)
Click to expand...
I think that's the way it should be, or at least there's a strong argument for it.
Refereeing standards would surely improve if referees were putting in 'observation effort' for every game
 
RustyRef said:
It is a lot better than it used to be. I once got a phone call the following evening from an assessor to discuss the game. I was gobsmacked, aside from the players and coaches there was no one there at all, he must have been up a tree … :)
Click to expand...
I can beat that, I didn’t know I was being observed till the observation sheet landed on my doorstep a week later
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top