I am a keen new referee at 54 refereeing junior and adult games. Had my very first 2 this weekend. Sat - Adults, Sun - U12.
My first game I found extremely difficult and found I was constantly questioning my decisions due to player comments to each other and/or me. I felt reluctant to give a Yellow on my first game too. I gave fouls, but in hindsight, a couple should have been yellows. I do not think I used my whistle enough and occasionally had to really think which way was which for signing the correct direction. Players were a bit noisy too, to each other if they made mistakes (swearing too). I got through the game to 3-1 ending and felt a bit disappointed in myself overall. In addition, hearing shouts for Subs was difficult too, any ideas hear would be good too.
I learnt to me more assertive, stand by a decision with more confidence, ignore chatter and use my whistle more.
The Second game on the Sunday U12 game I really enjoyed in comparison to my first Adult game. I was more assertive, confident and relaxed. The game was a bit slower, with no backchat on decisions, I used my whistle more and gave more confident decisions overall to a 12-5 conclusion.
I thought the adult game would have been more enjoyable with less aggravation, due to the players being mature adults with a good knowledge of the game and respect decisions. The reality was, the young adult players will try to get a decision to go there way even if they know its wrong and were not sportsman like at all. This surprised me, I will need to ignore them and stand by my decisions on my next game. My next Adult game is this Saturday ie a week later.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any advice you can give me will be gratefully recieved. In particular, this may sound dumb, but remembering the teams direction under pressure.
Thank for in advance for any comments that can help me.
All the best
Graham
My first game I found extremely difficult and found I was constantly questioning my decisions due to player comments to each other and/or me. I felt reluctant to give a Yellow on my first game too. I gave fouls, but in hindsight, a couple should have been yellows. I do not think I used my whistle enough and occasionally had to really think which way was which for signing the correct direction. Players were a bit noisy too, to each other if they made mistakes (swearing too). I got through the game to 3-1 ending and felt a bit disappointed in myself overall. In addition, hearing shouts for Subs was difficult too, any ideas hear would be good too.
I learnt to me more assertive, stand by a decision with more confidence, ignore chatter and use my whistle more.
The Second game on the Sunday U12 game I really enjoyed in comparison to my first Adult game. I was more assertive, confident and relaxed. The game was a bit slower, with no backchat on decisions, I used my whistle more and gave more confident decisions overall to a 12-5 conclusion.
I thought the adult game would have been more enjoyable with less aggravation, due to the players being mature adults with a good knowledge of the game and respect decisions. The reality was, the young adult players will try to get a decision to go there way even if they know its wrong and were not sportsman like at all. This surprised me, I will need to ignore them and stand by my decisions on my next game. My next Adult game is this Saturday ie a week later.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any advice you can give me will be gratefully recieved. In particular, this may sound dumb, but remembering the teams direction under pressure.
Thank for in advance for any comments that can help me.
All the best
Graham