A&H

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BigWill

BigWill

New Member
Hi All

New member here, stumbled across the site whilst googling resources and looks like a great place with some useful info.

34 years of age and finally retiring from playing the game so thought I would stay involved through the refereeing channel. I’ve just completed my basic course through Berks & Bucks FA so level T at the moment, 5 games before exam day now the aim.

That‘s me, looking forward to the road ahead.

Cheers
 
The Referee Store
Good luck. Out of interest, did you learn anything on the course that you didn't know about when you played?
 
BigWill said:
Hi All

New member here, stumbled across the site whilst googling resources and looks like a great place with some useful info.

34 years of age and finally retiring from playing the game so thought I would stay involved through the refereeing channel. I’ve just completed my basic course through Berks & Bucks FA so level T at the moment, 5 games before exam day now the aim.

That‘s me, looking forward to the road ahead.

Cheers
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Morning Will.

I finished playing and took up refereeing at the same age as yourself. I found the initial course difficult to enjoy due to being the oldest there by a distance and the inability of the tutors to get those on the cours3 to be quiet and listen.

However, once I got out there and refereed, it was a relatively easy transition. The biggest issue I had was I was still thinking like a player and trying to manage situations like players would want, and not how it should be done in law. I soon learned that the best way to referee is to remember that I am a referee and not there to try and manage situations like a player.

You'll have a natural ability to communicate anyway from your playing days, that's a huge plus. I also found that I found kids football difficult to enjoy. As someone involved in competitive football at a decent level, kids stuff just didn't float my boat. I found myself doing it solely for the fee, and the fees don't warrant being an adult referee, I have to be doing it primarily for enjoyment.

You will enjoy it. Get on the promotion scheme in a year's time, you'll get much better appointments and work with better refs.
 
^^^
All very similar for me. My apprenticeship was served playing, or from the terraces. Whilst my refereeing strengths (if I have any!) stem from this experience, a shift in mentality is needed when dressed in black. I think youth football is great to learn the basics of refereeing, but you'll soon be drawn to open-age once you get the bug for the challenge
 
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Just a shout out for reffing at youth level. I currently ref at youth level because, having been asked to ref as a parent for my son's u9, u10, u11 and now u12 team, I retook the course to get my badge back. And what I found was that I enjoyed educating the children, with the unwarranted belief that these children would learn and appreciate the lotg at an early age. I've received a lot of plaudits from parents and coaches alike over the years because I explain my decisions quickly and don't let things go, which mainly means the skilful players get fouls early on when they're scythed down and the thugs don't get away with foul play.

My heart was saddened at the weekend when an official ref hadn't been named and a well intentioned coach took the whistle (me being injured) and unfortunately missed 3 scythes, 3 late tackles, a mandatory yc in the first minute and a punch thrown by player who had lost ball in a tackle. And this was an u12 game.

Therefore, I suggest doing some youth games to get into the swing of reffing and ask all qualified refs to consider picking up youth games when they can. They need your help and guidance.
 
Thanks for all the replies and pointers.

I absolutely learned things on the course that I didn’t know before, as experienced officials you must all know that players don’t know half the laws! Mainly regarding restarts of play from external interference and the more technical aspects.

I have already done a few Sunday league games and a couple of u14 during my time managing a team so happy to get on that part also, thanks for the advice.
 
one said:
Mate, a player who knows half the laws is quite knowledgeable and very rare. 😀 I'm not kidding.
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Very true! Some genuinely astounding lack of knowledge out on the pitch which does surprise me in truth.

I’m also from a rugby background and the level of knowledge there is much higher, even if it’s just to take maximum advantage of a situation. One of many differences I suppose.
 
BigWill said:
Depending on external validation I am happy to upgrade or downgrade to biggest or average if required. Although being 6’4” and 16st I am generally one of the more sturdy fellas in a given situation!
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In that case, you'd be dwarfed by Big Cat.

A sheer colossus of a man.

Ref kit comes in several sizes - S M L XL XXL and Big Cat.

Disclaimer: The above information may or may be totally accurate at the time of writing.
 
BigWill said:
Depending on external validation I am happy to upgrade or downgrade to biggest or average if required. Although being 6’4” and 16st I am generally one of the more sturdy fellas in a given situation!
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Your inch advantage is offset by my extra 7lb of pure muscle (around the midriff)
 
With my BMI it must think I need to be 7’15” to be average. Or that’s what I told the Vitality nurse! 😬
 
Big Cat said:
Reality is, I'm a stone and a half away from passing any fitness test :facepalm:
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That’s not so bad, if you really want to do it and want some help then PM me (if that’s a thing on here).

I’ve been as big as 20st at my ‘peak’ and now back down to 16, takes hard work and commitment but it’s doable.

No worries if not but if interested let me know
 
I’ve a medical condition that would have really hampered me in a fitness test.. I like working away! 🐂🍺😂
 
BigWill said:
That’s not so bad, if you really want to do it and want some help then PM me (if that’s a thing on here).

I’ve been as big as 20st at my ‘peak’ and now back down to 16, takes hard work and commitment but it’s doable.

No worries if not but if interested let me know
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There's a lot of PMing on the forum. Losing weight is easy btw... on a desert island with no pubs or kebab shops 🍺🥙
 
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