The man in the middle
14th June 2013
Introduction
Huntingdonshire Football Association
Responsible for Referee Development
Implementation of the NRDP
Recruitment of new referees
Ongoing development of existing referees
Talent spotting and focused development
Developing mentors, tutors and assessors
Are we Referees or Arbitrators?
• Arbitrator - a person chosen to settle the
issue between parties engaged in a
dispute.
• Referee - the umpire or judge in any of
various sports, responsible for ensuring
fair play according to the rules/laws.
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UK
France
Spain
Portugal
Italy
Germany
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Football Referee
Le football arbitre
futbol el arbitro
futbol arbitro
Calcio arbitre
fussballschiedsrechter
Profile of Referees (UK)
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Level 10 Level 9
Level 8
Level 7
Level 6
Level 5
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2b Level 2a Level 1
International
Referee Workforce Assessor/mentor/tutor
Trainee Referee Newly qualified
Youth Referees (14 and 15 yrs old)
Junior County Referee (16 and over)
County Referee
Senior County Referee
Supply League Referee
Contributory League Referee
Panel List Referee
Panel Select List Referee
National List
- FIFA List
Refereeing at grass roots
• Level 7 to 5 Referees mix of experienced/inexperienced,
aged 16 to 70, and promotion candidates
• Participants – “social” football mix of ages and ability
• Club assistant referees with limited expertise, knowledge
of the laws and technique - restricted duties
• Limited on/off field knowledge
• Potentially high rate of misconduct
• Single shot chance to detect fouls or misconduct
• REFEREES VERY MUCH ON THEIR OWN AND
CALLING ALL DECISIONS
The semi-professional game
• Level 4 to 2a referees in enclosed grounds with paying
spectators
• Commitment level high - Expectations high
• High levels of fitness and technical competence
• Qualified Neutral Assistants Referees and 4th Official
• Teamwork - pre-match, match communication enhancing control
• Assessors with access to match video
• REFEREE SUPPORTED BY TEAM ENTRUSTED WITH
MAKING “REFEREEING” DECISIONS
The professional game
• 77 referees and 231 assistant referees,
including the 16 full-time professional Select
Group referees and “specialist” assistant
referees
• Premier League, Football League and FA
Competitions
• Immense pressure and high stakes
• Refereeing team – assistants, 4th officials
• FIFA (5th and 6th officials)
• Trial by TV pundit!
Referee – Personal Attributes
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Passionate about the game
Committed, facilitator, role model, educator,
Respect for the game and all participants
Empathy with all participants
Physically fit - consummate with level
Mentally strong
Confident
Positive body language
Proactive man-management skills
Communicator – selling a decision
Referee - Technical Skills
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Sound knowledge of the 17 Laws of the Game
How to interpret and apply them
Consistent rate of detection of offences
Awareness of expectations
Be proactive to deter misconduct
Positioning and movement
Buying time – WAIT AND SEE
Use of assistants (4th 5th and 6th officials)
Working with the Captains
NO SURPRISES !!
Decision making (1)
• Credibility
• Positioning
• Viewing angle
• Proximity
• Detection
• By Referee
• By Assistants, 4th official (5th and 6th)
• Expectations
Decision making (2)
• Communicate (signals)
• Advantage clause?
• Stop play (whistle tone)
• Signal award
• Apply sanctions
• Stepped approach
• Signal position
• Restart play
Tools of the trade
• The 17 Laws of the Game
• Communication skills
• Whistle
• Voice
• Arm signals
• Body language
• Flags
• Yellow and Red cards
Use of terminology
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Technical
Penal
Deliberate
Natural position
Interfering with play
Interfering with an
opponent
• Gaining an advantage
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Persistent
Careless
Reckless
Excessive Force
Violent conduct
DOGSO
OFFINABUS
Apply law
Respect for all participants
Brave
Interact
Take charge
Responsibility
Accurate
Technically competent
Empathy
Thank you.