After some advice after my 1st game

[FC555]

Had my first game today, amateur level open age (think it's the 15th or 16th level starting from the Prem).

The boot/jewellery check - I just watched for shinpads/jewellery/any unusual boots as both teams left the changing rooms and reminded them to take any jewellery off. Is this enough or do I need to line them up and actively check everyone's studs?

Initially off to a fantastic start - around 10 mins into the game I realised I never started the clock on either of my watches! Quickly decided to blow for half time 45 mins from what I knew was the kick off time (give or take 1-2 mins) - didn't want this taking my focus away.

Some whining here and there that I've found I was pretty confident in ignoring/shutting down by telling them to calm it down.

The biggest thing I've identified that Im struggling with - 2-3 times a player played the ball and I immediately looked at the 'drop zone', but each time the kicker was then fouled with a late challenge by the player who was closing them down. The first time I just about saw it and was able to sell it by playing advantage, but the other 2 times I completely missed it as I was watching what was happening to the ball. I told the players complaining that I'll watch for any late challenges but does anyone have any advice on how I could get a better view of things? I'm not too keen on positioning myself even further away for a wider view as there were a few things where the player reaction suggested I either missed it or gave it the wrong way, as I simply couldn't tell through a crowd of players.

Otherwise, as far as first games go, I'm fairly happy with it. I think there was a handball I should have given near the edge of the penalty area but it looked to me like it hit his armpit so I waved it away and went with my gut, despite a very vocal reaction. A couple of corner/goal kick situations where I should have had a better angle as I just wasn't 100% sure and neither were the CAR's. Also a weird one where the ball was slowly bouncing to the keeper and looked like it glanced off the defender's arm after an odd bobble. It was going to the keeper unchallenged anyway and only 1-2 people rather meekly shouted for it but again my initial reaction was that that would be a very soft pen so I didn't give it.

I did have positive feedback from both sides at the end so it wasn't the worst first game I don't think, plenty to learn and I hope to have less doubt after my next game about some of the decisions I made.

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

Well done on reviewing and sharing.
I assume you are a Level 7, not Level 8 as shown, if you are refereeing open age football?
Re the points you made, you will develip a "trailing eye" technique - it takes a few games, then comes naturally.
The other aspects also "bed in" in yor early games, so just carry on as you are and the pieces will fall into place.

 

[FC555]

That's right it is level 7, I forgot to change it.

Thanks very much for the feedback. I did notice towards the end of the game I felt my positioning was getting better (although I was more or less happy with it throughout the game anyway). What offset it was on a couple of occasions I somehow completely lost focus and had no idea which way an obvious throw in was! So glad they were obvious enough for both teams to just get on with it.

 

[RobOda]

Is this enough or do I need to line them up and actively check everyone's studs?

I think that's fine. The old school method of raking your hands on the studs is a product of a bygone era thesedays, thankfully.

and I immediately looked at the 'drop zone', but each time the kicker was then fouled with a late challenge by the player who was closing them down.

Let your view linger.

Consider what you're watching as well.

When you see a player on the ball, factor in who is closing him down (if anyone) and if you see someone coming in, then you automatically know you need to watch him an extra second or two. If the ball is being played long, then you can afford those extra seconds watching the follow-through before moving away to the drop zone.

It's still early days though, you'll absolutely pick these things up along the way, and you'll get some good advice on this from future observations as well. But keep thinking about it each day, as that's a great way to self-improve.

 

[st john]

Like others have said you will learn when you need to hold a 'look' a few seconds longer to see if there is any late contact, especially when the ball goes high you can have a quick glance back and then go back to the drop zone

With regards to the watches, I start mine before I do the head count and signal to the two keepers, then a quick glance to ensure they are both running and start the game. They might be showing 20 seconds or so but as we rarely blow exactly on the 45 minutes it shouldn't be issue

 

[Ben448844]

Like others have said you will learn when you need to hold a 'look' a few seconds longer to see if there is any late contact, especially when the ball goes high you can have a quick glance back and then go back to the drop zone

With regards to the watches, I start mine before I do the head count and signal to the two keepers, then a quick glance to ensure they are both running and start the game. They might be showing 20 seconds or so but as we rarely blow exactly on the 45 minutes it shouldn't be issue

To add to this I always start one watch before checking the ARs are ready to go. Yes there's a 15 second difference, but I use the the other watch for primary time keeping, the one i start first is for back up. It's just a routine to make sure I don't forget anything along with other routines I repeat for every game.

As for the game, sounds like you really bossed it. Don't worry about mistakes, put them to the back of your mind and think what you'll do differently next time.

We don't check studs, never do that. You don't have to line them up to inspect jewellery, just glance at each player as they walk out and be vocal about "taking any off now or you'll be taking it off during the game". If you say that near the managers at grass roots then they'll do alot of it for you. I suppose it's about looking and telling, but lining people up is a bit ott, a bit busy at the lowest level. You'll find a way of making sure that no players wear jewellery (key part of your job), without going full army inspection!

 

[FC555]

Thank you everyone, really appreciate the advice. Definitely going to use the watch trick to not get caught out again! Hopefully I'll quickly improve with letting my view linger, the situations today were all followed by passes along the ground where the recipient was instantly challenged so it at times felt like I'll either miss one or the other. I feel like it would be a lot easier with official AR's.

 

[one]

around 10 mins into the game I realised I never started the clock on either of my watches! Quickly decided to blow for half time 45 mins from what I knew was the kick off time (give or take 1-2 mins) - didn't want this taking my focus away.

Good work on finding a solution. I have the same issue. I have developed a habit of looking at my watch a couple of minutes after kick off. It works as a back up for me. Which means starting my watch a little late. I just have to guess how late which is easy if it's only a couple of minutes.

The biggest thing I've identified that Im struggling with - 2-3 times a player played the ball and I immediately looked at the 'drop zone', but each time the kicker was then fouled with a late challenge by the player who was closing them down.

Some good advice above. There are two things to watch out for here, a late foul on the kicker, or an early foul (hold etc) in the drop zone. A little experience will help you guess which is more likely to happen and fucus on. More experience will help you with understanding and positioning so even though you fucus on one you don't miss the other one. A few things to consider here.
- never watch the flight of the ball
- has there been priors between the kicker and defender
- style of play and skill level
- speed of defender approaching
- angle of defender's approach
- area of drop zone and how crowded it is

Another technique is to take a quick glance at drop zone, glance back at the kicker and then fucus on drop zone.

It's your first game. Don't lose sleep over the difficult ones you may not get right. This is difficult to get right even for many experienced referees.

 

[Max2]

A ball in the air won’t foul anyone, that’s not where your eyes need to be

 

[RustyRef]

A ball in the air won’t foul anyone, that’s not where your eyes need to be

That is one of the biggest problems many new referees have, watching the ball as it is in the air.

 

[FC555]

Objectively i find i don't ball watch as the ball is in the air, the tutor during my course was very clear about this being something new referees do so it's something I memorised and as mentioned I tend to focus on the drop zone. My issue is when the player plays the ball 20-30 yards along the floor, that's where my struggle starts as I could miss the receiving player being pushed in the back for example, while the kicker who I was still looking at might never actually be fouled by whoever was closing him down.

 

[GraemeS]

Objectively i find i don't ball watch as the ball is in the air, the tutor during my course was very clear about this being something new referees do so it's something I memorised and as mentioned I tend to focus on the drop zone. My issue is when the player plays the ball 20-30 yards along the floor, that's where my struggle starts as I could miss the receiving player being pushed in the back for example, while the kicker who I was still looking at might never actually be fouled by whoever was closing him down.

I think you can still apply the same principals. Again a foul is likely to take place just after the ball has gone or where it is received - not in the middle. So try to delay looking away from the passer for a split second, and then once you do look away, switch immediately to the reciever rather than following the ball. No point tracking th ball as it goes unless the angle you have also allows you to view a potential collision as well.

 

[PinnerPaul]

On time keeping I have one watch with time of day showing. Just have a glance at it start of match and 2nd half, then if watch one 'fails' you can do as you did.

Not sure on the logic of the 15/20 seconds 'out' - just start your watch - see its started - 2/3 seconds then blow the whistle to start the game.

I also automatically check after a minute or two to make sure its still going!