When to switch to Open Age?

I've been refereeing for a couple of months now, I've just completed my fifth game today (all youth) so I will hopefully be promoted to Level 7 next week.

My county is one of the few that assign mentors and mandate that a mentor observes a game you officiate before you can be promoted. I met my mentor for my third game last weekend, and after discussing his feedback with me he effectively "popped the question" and asked when I'd be considering officiating adult games.

My intention was always to get to adult games, and to do so quickly, but my confidence level before and after picking up a whistle for the first time was completely different and it soon became apparent that I'd want to iron out mistakes and get more used to the routine of refereeing a game before trying my luck with adults.

My mentor's advice was to effectively take the plunge, and accept that my first games will likely be very difficult (he told me that he cried after his first adult game, which wasn't exactly comforting, but not surprising either). In his opinion, the sooner I got over that rough patch at the start the better and I could start progressing properly.

I mostly wanted to see how things went with you guys. For those that first started refereeing as adults, when did you do your first adult game? How stark was the difference from older youth fixtures?

I'm very tempted to just go for it but I'm also very worried about it as I feel like I'm still not totally confident with youth games, and I don't want to go too hard too fast and risk blowing my confidence/motivation to continue entirely.

I was 28, and started on Sunday morning youth middles, and Saturday afternoon lines. I wanted to watch other referees and learn from them whilst on the line.

Can you do lines on a league for a few games then move into adult middles?

To add :

when did you do your first adult game? I would say it was a couple of months after doing lines. Maybe slightly longer.

How stark was the difference from older youth fixtures? I think the biggest differences really, from memory, are the verbal side of things from players rather than parents, though I didn't really have issues with parents. Adult players will be like adult players are, there'll be no surprises in fairness. Whereas a youth player saying the same sort of stuff or acting in the same way can catch you off guard a bit, more so at the younger age groups.

The other difference is the intensity/severity of fouls and the likelihood of fouls and having to give out sanctions. Expectedly more common at open age.

There's a lot more man-management at open age.

Hope that helps.

I’d definitely get more experience first. Of course, you will ‘learn on the job’ because adult football is completely different - you can practice youth as long as you want and you’ll find different situations crop up in adults. I think just getting your authority level up and improving general decision making is important first. You can get away with some inconsistency at youth, but I find it will get picked up by adults even at the lowest level.

It took me a good 2 years before I started doing adult football. I probably could’ve/should’ve done it earlier. However, I’ve never once felt out of depth in adults football as a result. The transition is difficult because what is a foul at youth might not be in adults. You also talk to players differently; when you’re older than youth players, you have a natural authority anyway, whereas you don’t have that with adults.

One thing I noticed after doing adults games is that it’s really not as scary as I thought. Most players are fine, you just get some problem players, just like youth football!

I recommend developing your personality as a referee in youth football first. Start to go through the ages - U12 is very different to U18 for example. Get confidence in your ability and learn the basics first. Only do it when you feel ready, although you might need a little push. Don’t rush into it because it may (it might not be) be too much too soon and kill your enjoyment. Working on the line with more experienced refs is also hugely beneficial.

Good luck!

ChrisBLD said:

I've been refereeing for a couple of months now, I've just completed my fifth game today (all youth) so I will hopefully be promoted to Level 7 next week.

My county is one of the few that assign mentors and mandate that a mentor observes a game you officiate before you can be promoted. I met my mentor for my third game last weekend, and after discussing his feedback with me he effectively "popped the question" and asked when I'd be considering officiating adult games.

My intention was always to get to adult games, and to do so quickly, but my confidence level before and after picking up a whistle for the first time was completely different and it soon became apparent that I'd want to iron out mistakes and get more used to the routine of refereeing a game before trying my luck with adults.

My mentor's advice was to effectively take the plunge, and accept that my first games will likely be very difficult (he told me that he cried after his first adult game, which wasn't exactly comforting, but not surprising either). In his opinion, the sooner I got over that rough patch at the start the better and I could start progressing properly.

I mostly wanted to see how things went with you guys. For those that first started refereeing as adults, when did you do your first adult game? How stark was the difference from older youth fixtures?

I'm very tempted to just go for it but I'm also very worried about it as I feel like I'm still not totally confident with youth games, and I don't want to go too hard too fast and risk blowing my confidence/motivation to continue entirely.

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My very first game was open age men's. At the time I didn't realise there was any other way to do it.

I recommend just going for it. You'll start right at the bottom, it is a great place to iron out mistakes. None of the players are being paid, and there is only really ego on the line. You'll take a fair share of criticism, but honestly, it doesn't matter.

Just be confident and do not let them rattle you and you'll be fine.

The standard at the level you start refereeing will likely be lower than the youth games you are doing.

Just manage it with common sense. As it will likely be physical and flavourful.

Also enjoy it. Talk to everyone, have a laugh.

The big difference I would say is the player management side of it. You need to be much more on it compared to youth as they will push as close to the limit as they can. In these situations you just need to be confident and remember that your cards are there to be used and to support your management. If you are happy to use your cards, then they are one of the strongest tools in managing situations.

It's very cliché but it's all down to individual.

I spent a season at Youth when I first signed up. I never really have it much thought and it was applying for promotion which started me off getting adult games.

Was that useful for me? I guess I will never know. I don't recall having any significant issues with open age when I first started but I had honed some craft before taking the plunge.

Maybe, take a game and see how it goes? Like a taster session to see where you are at. If you get on okay, crack on. If not no harm done, do some youth until you feel ready.

What's the plan? Are you hoping to go through the progression pathway. Obviously that needs to involve open age games so that could be the reason to take the plunge.

Run. The. Line.

Learn from better/more exp refs. Work on better matches. Enjoy!

I started on adult, and aside from the odd youth game I've only ever refereed adult football.

There's no right and wrong answer, it is down to each individual.

Hi Chris, well done for getting qualified and looking to progress. I would suggest progressing to open age adult football as soon as you feel confident about it. Some factors to consider might be how you are doing at older youth level e.g. U18s and also whether you are used to the environment of open age, adult football for instance, did you ever play or coach in adult football, if you did, you will have some level of comfort more so then if you never have. Also think about if you are doing older youth games now ask your league referee secretary whether they can try to appoint you to some matches that they know might be more challenging because maybe they are two teams contending for a title or teams with some discipline history.
For me, I have been refereeing just over a year now and I have always done open age adult football in the senior county league and older youths mostly 16s and 18s. The first open age adult match I did in the middle was nothing short of brutal, but I saw it for what it was. One side was only interested in trying to bully me and the opposition both on and off the pitch after that I have had all pretty good experiences to be honest. I find the main difference is that in adult football you will often have at least a couple of players on each side who have or want everyone to believe that they have played at a higher level and these players will try to influence you and you just have to be strong with them. The other difference is that because they are more experienced and one might argue more cynical they are a bit better at cheating and what some people call the dark arts so you really have to be fully and totally focused and concentrated all of the time.
Before you take the plunge, I would suggest two things to think about
1. Talk to other local referees and try to establish what would be the best league for you to start with for me I chose the senior county league and I do not do for instance Sunday district Park football. I chose the county league because I know that they operate to a certain standard in terms of facilities and discipline.
2. I also know that in the Premier division of that league they will use appointed ARs. Now as a level seven, I cannot referee in the middle in the premier division, but I can be appointed as an AR and I often was in the early days. As a level7 inexperienced referee one year ago I cannot stress how useful it was to work as an AR with more experienced referees. I just learnt so much about how they approach the game and how they talk to teams before the match and how they communicate and manage situations during the match.
Good luck with wherever you go work and when.

Dicky Herts said:

because they are more experienced and one might argue more cynical they are a bit better at cheating and what some people call the dark arts

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