Recent content by Middleman

I’m a level 4 and only officiate every other weekend due to childcare commitments. While not ideal, it seems to be acceptable as long as other parts of your game are good (marks/admin/decent midweek availability). I think I would struggle to be promoted even if I was around the top of the...

I’m a L4 and have been an assistant on a WSL cup match between a WSL premier team and a Championship side. Ref was a L3. 4th official was a late appointment and I believe was a (very experienced) L5.

And if I had repeat offenders, then they would be told not to attend matches from then on. If they refuse or cannot make alternative arrangements for the child, then the child would have to leave the club. You have to make it clear that that behaviour will not be tolerated at the club. You’ll be...

I’m in a similar position in that I’m an U10 coach and a qualified ref. Luckily, we play in a league with a centralised venue, so supply of refs never an issue (the quality however, can be hit and miss). I did ref a friendly last weekend and my parents know better than to shout from the sides...

Does it? Hypothetical scenario - ball in penalty area is cleared by defending team, as players are exiting PA, you as assistant see a defender push the striker, who goes over in the PA. Ref is now halfway up the pitch following the ball. You flag for a penalty, but does it follow that the...

So ultimately, it’s YOUR decision. Make it and stand by it. Plus, for every moaner about wanting to play, there will be a teammate secretly relieved that they don’t have to in those conditions, but unwilling to speak up - at grassroots mens, a lot of lads depend on their fitness/bodies to earn...

It’s really tough, but as Rusty mentions above, you don’t necessarily win even if both teams want to play at the outset. One team goes behind and suddenly l, the pitch is a disgrace and they’re making veiled threats along the lines of ‘I hope for your sake that no one gets injured’. Players...

Posts like this are why I love this forum. Hadn’t even occurred to me that this might happen in a game, but now could easily imagine a scenario. Wouldn’t have had a clue what to do, but happy with the above reasoning, taking into the victim’s (the lickee??) reaction.

31-40 bracket over here, though sadly closer to the 40 end 😩 My pathway exactly as you suggested above. Coaching juniors for a number of years before doing ref course at 30. Season and a bit of junior football before OA and through development system. On a side note related to another current...

Speed perhaps, but given the more ‘robust’ frame of many of the Sunday league players I’ve reffed in my time, I wouldn’t be so sure about the amount of force that ends up in some of their tackles. There’s plenty of force behind a 16 stone fella, no matter how slow he’s going!

So happy to get round yesterday. The weather had been playing on my mind all week and it was certainly very dry out there, but we’ll worth the pain now!

Writing the above reminded me of a funny incident. The two managers were having a bit of verbals, so I shouted to one of them along the lines of “Adam, calm it down please. Just concentrate on what’s going on on the pitch”. The other manager started moaning “Oh right, no wonder we’re not...

As for being friendly to teams/managers before the game versus being the strong, silent, lone wolf type - like everything else, it’s about balance. I always try to get first names of managers and captains and a bit of chat about their season and a laugh can make them realise you’re a human and...

Nalbi, congratulations on getting your L4. Well deserved reward for a dedicated pro!

I’d be very wary of stating my approach to anything like dissent and particularly a zero tolerance - you’re just making a rod for your own back. Because the first free kick you give, you can guarantee that at the very least, someone will say ‘what?’ as soon as you whistle. Is that dissent? A...