Refereeing In The Bubble – by Keith Hackett

When you walk out into the middle of a Premier League game, you are aware that your performance will be beamed live to over two hundred countries around the world.

With a minimum of twenty-two cameras, each big decision that you make will be forensically-examined by pundits, many of them former players with limited knowledge of the Laws of the Game.

 The value of the players is in the hundreds of millions with the majority of them millionaires.
You are expected to manage them and ensure that the game is played in a fair manner.

I have already stated in previous articles that for the referee to make an accurate decision, he must be in proximity to play and achieve a good viewing angle.  Referees must:

“SEE, RECOGNISE, THINK and ACT.”

In this article, I want to give an insight into the MANAGEMENT SKILL SETS required by a referee and the areas where appropriate training, coaching advice can be given.

CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED BY A REFEREE

·        FITNESS

·        CONTROL

·        PERSONALITY

·        DECISION-MAKER

·        GOOD COMMUNICATOR

·        WHISTLE/SIGNAL/VOICE

·        COURAGE

·        PREPARE WELL

·        TEAMWORK

·        SELF MOTIVATION

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

·        RESPONSIBILITY

·        OPTIMISM

·        PASSIONATE

·        EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

·        HUMILITY

·        WATCH AND ANALYSE

·        EXCEPTIONAL REFEREES HANDLE CONFLICT WELL

My advice to any up-and-coming referee is to ensure that they start the management process of their game immediately after they receive their appointment.

·        They must learn about the Teams/Players/Tactics.

·        Arrive at the ground early. Walk around the pitch to get the feel of the playing surface and surroundings. (Ensure that sufficient spare balls are available when ball goes over the fence or out of the ground).

·        Check the quality of the sub-boards

·        Be ready for the arrival of the team sheets and check colours to ensure that there is no clash. Goalkeepers colours are also checked.

·        Then it’s out onto the field to carry out the warm-up procedure

·        In the dressing room, I will have talked about my ten-minute refereeing approach.

·        Referees will be aware of any tactical change which often comes when substitutes are made.

POST-MATCH

It is important to review your performance by looking at the distances and speeds that you have applied during the match.

If you are operating with a Polar Heart Monitor then this information can be downloaded from your watch.

·        You should have covered 9,000 metres in the grassroots game, 11,500 metres in a professional game.

·        Take on food to enhance your recovery (Jaffa Cakes, Jelly Babies) plus liquid

·        Review your decisions with your colleagues.

·        Ensure that you have completed all the appropriate records/details of the game.

·        Sanctions etc.

If there is a video of the game available then this is a good way of reviewing your performance.

Keith Hackett
Honorary Patron,
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