The man in the middleThe man in the middle1414thth June 2013 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.

• UK - Football Referee

• France - Le football arbitre

• Spain - futbol el arbitro

• Portugal - futbol arbitro

• Italy - Calcio arbitre

• Germany - fussballschiedsrechter

Profile of Referees (UK)• Level 10 - Referee Workforce Assessor/mentor/tutor• Level 9 - Trainee Referee Newly qualified• Level 8 - Youth Referees (14 and 15 yrs old)• Level 7 - Junior County Referee (16 and over)• Level 6 - County Referee• Level 5 - Senior County Referee• Level 4 - Supply League Referee• Level 3 - Contributory League Referee• Level 2b - Panel List Referee• Level 2a - Panel Select List Referee• Level 1 - National List • International - 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

• 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

• 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• Technical• Penal• Deliberate• Natural position• Interfering with play• Interfering with an

opponent• Gaining an advantage

• 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.