A match from Saturday to discuss belatedly:
U14 yellows vs. reds: shortly after I arrived, I overheard the home manager stressing the importance of the match to his players (top of the table six pointer, of which I had no prior knowledge), so I prepared myself for a potentially difficult game.
As soon as the match starts (he also oversees the toss and questions the decision as to which end his team will play in!), I realise the away manager will be my greatest obstacle to match control. However, he most certainly isn't one of those who strike fear into referees with an aggressive attitude that rarely moves far from the surface; rather, he is like a woodpigeon's high-pitched chirruping, which becomes irksome, but never threatening. The first minor dissent concerns a foul throw I am just about to award in his side's favour (incidentally, one pleasure of open age must be the relaxation from internal debates about the legitimacy of a throw!), and I make it clear straight away that such comments will not be tolerated (home manager supports me here heartily as well).
Thereafter, one of those games where nothing much happens (away side takes the lead mid-way through the first half) with which the referee needs to deal until a huge incident right at the end of the first half which will define the match and my authority. Ball very close to going out for a goal kick, but yellows (home side) retain possession, and as the attacking player enters the penalty area, he is tripped by a red. All happens in the blink of an eye. I know it's a foul and I require a second or two of thinking to decide that it occurred in the area. Very dramatic end to the half, which jars with a rather dull match up to that point. Of course, the away manager disputes it with some passion; nothing that fazes me, but I see the two coaches squaring up, so I feel I must intervene.
I tell them that my decision is final and advise them to go back to their respective positions (unfortunately my back is to the field of play, so assessor marks would have suffered in that respect). I am told that coaches are allowed anywhere along the line, so there are no technical areas per se (no Respect barrier either, but almost everyone is staying the recommended distance from the field of play): could anyone here confirm these rules for youth football?
Anyway, the penalty is missed after the brief delay and it remains 1-0. It transpires that the away manager was guilty of the same behaviour in the reverse fixture, and I receive some compliments at half time (and full time) for my handling of the above situation. Although it's slightly uncomfortable to hear praise from a club official during the match--I do not let it pierce my mechanical self-control that must endure for the length of every match--it is very gratifying to obtain such feedback from parents etc. when on the very same pitch almost four years earlier I underwent the nadir of my refereeing career, a horrendous day refereeing U17s after which I had a year's intermission from officiating.
Even a welfare officer for the home club approaches me and says I've refereed well, but he has spoken to the offending individual. For me it's all a bit strange, as there has been no adrenaline surge: it's not a tough game, though others have the impression that it is. I permit the possibility that I have progressed as a referee. The second half is relatively uneventful, perhaps because that crucial decision indicated I wouldn't wilt under pressure. Overall, it was a good day's work.
Thank you for your patience with a long post! Let me know if I should have done anything differently. For instance, should I have asked the away manager to leave and was I unfair to make the penalty-taker wait?
U14 yellows vs. reds: shortly after I arrived, I overheard the home manager stressing the importance of the match to his players (top of the table six pointer, of which I had no prior knowledge), so I prepared myself for a potentially difficult game.
As soon as the match starts (he also oversees the toss and questions the decision as to which end his team will play in!), I realise the away manager will be my greatest obstacle to match control. However, he most certainly isn't one of those who strike fear into referees with an aggressive attitude that rarely moves far from the surface; rather, he is like a woodpigeon's high-pitched chirruping, which becomes irksome, but never threatening. The first minor dissent concerns a foul throw I am just about to award in his side's favour (incidentally, one pleasure of open age must be the relaxation from internal debates about the legitimacy of a throw!), and I make it clear straight away that such comments will not be tolerated (home manager supports me here heartily as well).
Thereafter, one of those games where nothing much happens (away side takes the lead mid-way through the first half) with which the referee needs to deal until a huge incident right at the end of the first half which will define the match and my authority. Ball very close to going out for a goal kick, but yellows (home side) retain possession, and as the attacking player enters the penalty area, he is tripped by a red. All happens in the blink of an eye. I know it's a foul and I require a second or two of thinking to decide that it occurred in the area. Very dramatic end to the half, which jars with a rather dull match up to that point. Of course, the away manager disputes it with some passion; nothing that fazes me, but I see the two coaches squaring up, so I feel I must intervene.
I tell them that my decision is final and advise them to go back to their respective positions (unfortunately my back is to the field of play, so assessor marks would have suffered in that respect). I am told that coaches are allowed anywhere along the line, so there are no technical areas per se (no Respect barrier either, but almost everyone is staying the recommended distance from the field of play): could anyone here confirm these rules for youth football?
Anyway, the penalty is missed after the brief delay and it remains 1-0. It transpires that the away manager was guilty of the same behaviour in the reverse fixture, and I receive some compliments at half time (and full time) for my handling of the above situation. Although it's slightly uncomfortable to hear praise from a club official during the match--I do not let it pierce my mechanical self-control that must endure for the length of every match--it is very gratifying to obtain such feedback from parents etc. when on the very same pitch almost four years earlier I underwent the nadir of my refereeing career, a horrendous day refereeing U17s after which I had a year's intermission from officiating.
Even a welfare officer for the home club approaches me and says I've refereed well, but he has spoken to the offending individual. For me it's all a bit strange, as there has been no adrenaline surge: it's not a tough game, though others have the impression that it is. I permit the possibility that I have progressed as a referee. The second half is relatively uneventful, perhaps because that crucial decision indicated I wouldn't wilt under pressure. Overall, it was a good day's work.
Thank you for your patience with a long post! Let me know if I should have done anything differently. For instance, should I have asked the away manager to leave and was I unfair to make the penalty-taker wait?
