Soccer Referee

Intro

• Soccer refereeing is one of my favorite things to do in the spring and fall. I played soccer from the age of 4, all the way until my freshman year of college at a very high level. Now that I am done playing competitively and am focusing on school, I thought what better way to keep it in my life then to give back to those who made my playing career possible? I now referee all ages and skill levels, keeping myself in shape, along with teaching the younger generation the laws and spirit of the game. This presentation will walk you through a normal day as a soccer referee.

Morning Wake Up

• On the morning of a game day, I like to start my morning with a strong breakfast with eggs and toast. It gives my brain some fuel and wakes me up from my sleep well. Right after that, I take a shower to pep myself up even more. My game today is in Novi, MI so I need to be alert for the drive.

Preparing

• As an official, it is crucial to have everything you need for your game to be organized. I have a duffel bag and in it is my equipment. Uniforms, cleats, flags, watch, book/game sheets, clipboard, whistle and of course water. If you come to the field unprepared, it will look unprofessional and your assistants may not have extras. Being organized before you leave is crucial to success

When I Arrive

• When I arrive to the fields, I make sure I am always 30 minutes early. This gives us time to set up with my assistants, avoid getting lost and check in the teams. My biggest pet peeve is when the people I am reffing with are late. Being there 30 minutes early eliminates any chances of things going wrong for yourself.

Pre-Match

• When you first meet up with your crew of officials, you introduce yourself and get familiar as fast as you can. Before every game, you have to check in the teams to make sure everyone who is dressed is actually matching the game sheet roster. Another thing you do before the game is lay out how you want to run your match, and what you want your assistants watching for and little specific things that will help you out as the center referee. Once you have talked out a game plan and check teams in, it's time for a coin toss and it's game on!

First Half

• When the first whistle goes, it is game on. As a soccer referee, it is important that you assert yourself early and let it be known you are in charge. You do not have to be rude, just crack down on fouls early so they know what they can and can't get away with. While this half is going on, make sure to watch for any rivalry forming between players and make sure the game keeps a good pace. No one likes a slow paced game with lots of stoppages. You have to watch for rivalries forming because you will know how to handle a situation better if one arises because you know how they are feeling.

Halftime

• After the first half is over, you walk over to your corner with your crew and recover. Lots of fluid and taking a seat will help you be ready for the second half. While recovering, you and your crew will discuss the first half. Talking about what your assistants agreed and disagreed with and what to watch for in the second half is a major key to success.

Second Half

• The second half is always a good time. You are dialed in on the game and if it is close, it is also fun to watch! The intensity usually picks up as the game goes on because no one wants to lose. Controlling emotions is a huge part of refereeing and it is something not everyone can do. Whether it is a close game or not, you must always be paying attention to little details. After the time is up, blow the final whistle and shake hands with both teams and coaches.

Post-Game

• After the final whistle is blown and the dust has settled, walking off that field with your crew is a great feeling. It is a burst of overwhelming amount of accomplishment and pride knowing you left the field doing the best job you could. It is really rewarding because you make great money for only working for about 2 hours. On older games, you can make up to 75 dollars for one game. Before you leave, you have to get both coaches to sign the game sheet. It's rewarding to hear a compliment from them on how you did, but if not-don't sweat it. It is now time to make sure you have everything and pack up to go home.

Drive Home

• After I leave a game, I like to turn the radio up and cruise on the way home. You feel good after getting a good run in and making a little money. Depending on the time of day, I like to stop and get myself a quick bite to eat for dinner.