One of my fears is that within the first 20 minutes it goes to sh*t and I mess it up...That which does not kill us makes us stronger - Nietzsche
He is also attributed with saying 'first weekend in December, bound to get called off'
I'd say do it....but only you can decide
My games have been going Sh..t after 20 mins for 7 years !!!!One of my fears is that within the first 20 minutes it goes to sh*t and I mess it up...
Do you have anyone in the know that could come along?
Ask your RDO for a mento for the game - there is NO embarassment with this, and if anything some are actively looking to mentor / advise as they either no longer ref, or might be out throuhg injury so it;s a way of keeping in the loop.
I assume that being your first, the league are aware of this, and are accepting of such Refs, and as so, the teams are equally at a level that should accept this.
I know that I seaze my bulls by the horns and think "F*ck it - nothing ventured noithing gained".
Whats the worst that happens? make mistakes (which we all do) learn from them(which some of us do) and if it really really is that bad leave the league and find another, or county LOL!
You say youve done loads of lines, which you will have gained experience from, so if for example there was a good guy that you got on with and he had a good game - "what would he do? how would he do it / deal with this?"
My games have been going Sh..t after 20 mins for 7 years !!!!
Dont worry about that > no matter how well you do the players of one team will tell you otherwise , you will develop a referees second skin
Worst come to the worst and just blow up for half time after twenty minutes and swear blind it's been 45!
I'll give the following tips, coming from someone who had a nightmare of a first OA when I started out and would have loved to have been able to go back and do things differently.
Be confident.
Believe in yourself and all of your decisions.
Don't let the occasion get to you, it might be your first game, but it's just another game for these teams. So don't overthink it.
You've been given the game because the refs secretary thinks your up to the task.
Enjoy it. Refereeing isn't fun 100% of the time. But while it's going well, enjoy it, don't be thinking the match will turn sour in th next few seconds. It'll make you tense and effect your performance.
Cheers guys!
How was it?
Death, destruction and choas - or something worse