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Refereeing is a team game too! If you're part of a
refereeing team taking charge of a local game this weekend, and one of you
is having an off-day – try not to get angry or frustrated with your
colleague – remember that he is your team-mate for the match.
Encouraging each other
Just as the eleven players in a football team should work for each
other with the common aim of achieving a positive result, the referee and
his two assistants can produce good quality displays if they encourage
each other and communicate properly.
Crucial aspect
It is not only the players who are allowed to gee each other up. A
referee at the summit of his trade – Italy's Pierluigi Collina, who
officiated this sumer’s FIFA World Cup final – emphasises that
"togetherness" is also a crucial aspect of the refereeing team’s armoury.
| "We're a team on the field, and a
referee cannot trust himself to take charge of a match alone " |
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Never alone
"It's 100 per cent important," says Collina, a referee of vast
experience who has been in the hottest football situations. "We're a team
on the field, and a referee cannot trust himself to take charge of a match
alone. In fact, I think anyone who thinks he can handle a match without
the help of his assistants is a very poor referee."
Good communication
The importance of team spirit among match officials is also emphasised
by the leading assistant referees. French assistant Frédéric Arnault, who
ran the line at World Cup matches in Korea/Japan, says that good
communication and respect between a referee and his assistants not only
enhances the quality of the referee trio's overall performance, but also
earns the trust of players.
Making the difference
"The co-operation between the referee and assistants makes all the
difference as far as the standard of refereeing in a match is concerned,"
says Arnault. "A lot of refereeing teams now have considerable experience
of working together with each other, so you start knowing what each of you
is going to do. And if you communicate well together, and there’s no
hesitation, this can sometimes help get players to understand and respect
your decisions much better."
Well-chosen words
Another way in which referees and assistants at all levels can help
each other is to give constant encouragement to each other on and off the
field, before and during the match, and at half-time in particular. It may
be that one of the team is fretting about a decision, or simply having
"one of those days". It is here that a few well-chosen words in the
dressing room can make your colleague feel much better.
Mutual support
The best referees and assistants tell us that they do this all the
time. "Again, it's all about being a team," says Collina. "If I feel that
an assistant needs particular help, or a helping word of encouragement –
during the match as well – then I'll say something. Even a smile can have
a positive effect. And sometimes the referee needs similar support from an
assistant, it works both ways."
Stick together
Try to remember Collina's words if you are the man in the middle or
holding the flag on the touchline this weekend. If all three of you stick
together as a team – you will be giving each other a fighting chance of a
top-rate performance – and contributing to the success of your match. |
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