Mentoring

Recently been asked to help with mentoring some new referees coming through. Both 16 and under. However, they aren't able to do OA football and I've never done any youth football matches. Obviously I'm not there to referee the game, purely give advice but are there any tips you'd give when mentoring younger referees? Would you ever get involved with giving guidance on the sideline during the match or just wait until HT/FT? and if there are an particular problems (fights on the pitch, gobby parents etc) would you look to help the referee, or take a step back and see how they get on?

My understanding of both mentoring and observing is that the only situation you should come onto the pitch for is to advise the referee to abandon. Anything less and you're there purely to observe how they deal with it and advise post-match. Might be a bit of an exception if it's their very first match and they're looking totally lost, but I'd still try and avoid getting involved in an ongoing match if you can.

HT is a matter of preference, but I've only even been casually chatted to at half time, rather than given formal coaching points. Might sound a bit counter-intuitive, but you're there to improve how they do in their next match, not so much in the one you're actually watching.

Personally i would never give advice while the match is going on but by all means at half time and full time. I would allow the referee to do his/her job as if i am not there. If things got really out of hand then i may step in but it would take a lot for me to do that.

The fact you haven't done youth football doesn't matter, just advise them on positioning and aspects of law. Ask them questions, dont tell them, try and get them thinking about their answers. Above all be positive, feedback on the positive in their performance, dont dwell on negatives.

QuaverRef said:

Recently been asked to help with mentoring some new referees coming through. Both 16 and under. However, they aren't able to do OA football and I've never done any youth football matches. Obviously I'm not there to referee the game, purely give advice but are there any tips you'd give when mentoring younger referees?

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I would worry about the level of football, reassurance and support is the most important.

Would you ever get involved with giving guidance on the sideline during the match or just wait until HT/FT?

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Unless something very unusual happens, just provide the advice at HT/FT. One possible situation is where there is a serious injury and your experience allows you to manage the situation for them (As I have done a couple of times).

and if there are an particular problems (fights on the pitch, gobby parents etc) would you look to help the referee, or take a step back and see how they get on?

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If you get gobby parents, go and stand by them with your notebook out. Say you are mentoring the young referee and there to assist him. As the good bits - you are there as a FA official, and you can report the club for the failure to control their spectators.....

But seriously, if they get too gobby, then go and talk to them and explain this is a referee in training and not Howard Webb. You can always say that their son/daughter is c**p and not Messi, so can I boo them? !!!

I think its great you have been chosen as a mentor. Still waiting for mine now in my third season! A chat at half time and then a cuppa and coaching for engagement afterwards. Great advice for gobby parents thats brill. In a tournament last summer I was asked by the organiser to do something similar to some gobby coaches for a young ref. It is good your county are doing this, when I qualified I was just ignored, not even watched over my first five games, but that RDO is no longer with us and the new RDO is a lot more proactive and and answers his phone!