A "Thank You" to ARs

[The Gump]

It's human nature that we complain more than we praise, so I just wanted to drop a quick note on this thread to say a thank to you ARs.

Middling as a 50yo, second-season L7, mostly at youth level, I've only had ARs twice. First time was in a CC Semi-Final (they were desperate for a ref) where I had two experienced ARs, one a L4, who were both super understanding when I explained it was my first time with ARs (and only second OA game) and gave me loads of helpful, constructive feedback both at HT and FT, including a couple of very specific things to work on.

Second time was last weekend with another second year L7 and very experienced L5 (and also observer), the latter of which gave more heplful and specific feedback.

None of the feedback given was chippy, or arrogant or anything like that, just a desire to help. It's pretty lonely middling on your own with CARs, and you rarely get meaningful feedback that highlights areas to work on, improvements to make or things you're doing well.

It's an incredibly valuable (and free!) service you provide to refs like me so I just want to acknowledge that and say thank you.

 

[santa sangria]

I hope this doesn’t change and you keep getting feedback.

I am ten years in and I have learnt loads from ARs this week. I’ve been with some smart and eloquent people who have been really perceptive and raised points I really valued.

 

[Gabriel]

ARs are massively under appreciated imho. I’ve only had them once, one with 40 years experience, one with 3 who wasn’t much older than I am. I felt like my officiating improved massively thanks to their help and tips etc. This was a good idea for a thread!

 

[Tealeaf]

Second time was last weekend with another second year L7 and very experienced L5 (and also observer), the latter of which gave more heplful and specific feedback.

None of the feedback given was chippy, or arrogant or anything like that, just a desire to help. It's pretty lonely middling on your own with CARs, and you rarely get meaningful feedback that highlights areas to work on, improvements to make or things you're doing well.

It's an incredibly valuable (and free!) service you provide to refs like me so I just want to acknowledge that and say thank you.

Whilst this wasn’t me, it is the perfect description of what I aspire to be.

Certainly my supply league recognises this as I get paired with those coming through, newbies and the young and the (very) ambitious. There’s little ego with me when I’m out with these guys and girls. I see my job as getting them to the next level, by almost being unnoticed. If they don’t have to worry about me dropping them in it, undermining them they can focus on the rest of the game.

 

[Gabriel]

those coming through, newbies and the young and the (very) ambitious

In my first few games I was called all of those things . Not sure if the last one is good or bad!

 

[Tealeaf]

In my first few games I was called all of those things . Not sure if the last one is good or bad!

Nothing wrong with ambition! But don’t lose sight of the here-and-now. Putting in the work gets you ahead quicker than pure desire.

 

[socal lurker]

In the US, we use NARs a lot more than across the pond. Yes, ARs on a 10U game are unnecessary for an experienced ref (and with the build out line, pretty boring for the AR). A lot of referees here start with AYSO—where all refs are volunteers. Teams have to get the volunteers to be trained, and in most places that gets 3 official teams starting at 10U. The main value of that is getting people in the pipeline for as the kids get older. But it also helps a lot in ref development, as new refs can get a more experienced AR on their early games. And it also starts refs off early as part of a team. For me, the teamwork is a big part of what makes reffing enjoyable—in the middle or on the line. That teamwork aspect is one of the biggest reasons I’ve kept at it as long as I have.

 

[santa sangria]

In the US, we use NARs a lot more than across the pond. Yes, ARs on a 10U game are unnecessary for an experienced ref (and with the build out line, pretty boring for the AR). A lot of referees here start with AYSO—where all refs are volunteers. Teams have to get the volunteers to be trained, and in most places that gets 3 official teams starting at 10U. The main value of that is getting people in the pipeline for as the kids get older. But it also helps a lot in ref development, as new refs can get a more experienced AR on their early games. And it also starts refs off early as part of a team. For me, the teamwork is a big part of what makes reffing enjoyable—in the middle or on the line. That teamwork aspect is one of the biggest reasons I’ve kept at it as long as I have.

Up here in the far North we also have a bigger share of matches with NARs. And this is so true. The teamwork, social side, bigger matches as AR do it for me!

I do 3-4 matches a week as a ref or AR with other ARs of all experience levels. Sunday I was coaching a second year 18-year old, last Saturday I was taking advice from a 20 y o from our development group. Today I will be AR1 and we’ll have a wait-and-see competition with another young dev group AR - our ref is a Uefa badged lady - brilliant, trained me years ago on AR comms technique.

And I’m gonna need sun tan lotion!

Was just thinking this morning. I am very fortunate to be in a great community here.

 

[Gabriel]

I am very fortunate to be in a great community here.

This is one of the brilliant things about reffing. Everyone has a sense of belonging. There's about 350-400 of us in my league and we're all discussing where everyone's training in the summer etc. Brilliant way to socialise!

 

[The Gump]

This is one of the brilliant things about reffing. Everyone has a sense of belonging. There's about 350-400 of us in my league and we're all discussing where everyone's training in the summer etc. Brilliant way to socialise!

It's why I find this site so valuable for those of us that are largely on our own at weekends. Had a CAR last week that I was chatting to at half time - he was roughly same age as me and bemoaning parents behaviour, having to learn on your own without much if any guidance or feedback so I am told him about this site and how helpful it was.

 

[Gabriel]

It's why I find this site so valuable for those of us that are largely on our own at weekends. Had a CAR last week that I was chatting to at half time - he was roughly same age as me and bemoaning parents behaviour, having to learn on your own without much if any guidance or feedback so I am told him about this site and how helpful it was.

Yeah I understand that. I am nearly always on my own during matches, so get no reliable feedback etc. That’s where RefChat comes in!