GLASGOW
INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
MATCH PROCEDURES FOR REFEREES
PRIOR TO MATCH DAY
Receiving and Accepting an Appointment
Leagues and associations vary in the way they issue appointments to referees, i.e. by telephone, by post, by e-mail etc. When you receive an appointment ensure you are given full details, i.e. date, kick-off time, teams, venue etc and, if required, promptly confirm acceptance of the appointment.
In Cup competitions, the competition rules will stipulate what happens in the event of a draw – is there extra time and/or penalty kicks, a replay etc. Ensure you are fully aware of this beforehand.
Some competitions, especially those involving youngsters of school age, apply modifications in respect of the duration of the periods of play and substitutions. Again ensure you ask how many minutes each half, number of substitutes allowed etc or if possible get a copy of the rules of the competition detailing these changes.
Preparing your kit
Check that your kit is complete and clean and ideally have two different coloured tops to avoid a clash with either of the teams. Ensure that your boots are clean to help create a good impression. Check your bag carefully before leaving home and ensure you have the following:
Black shirt (and preferably another shirt of a different colour).
Black Shorts
Socks
Football boots with clean laces
2 watches, one with a stop action
2 whistles
2 pencils and a notepad
a coin
red and yellow card
a copy of the laws of the game
Kit can be purchased at the Association’s monthly meeting, from the Museum shop at HampdenPark, or direct from a number of web sites. If you attend training regularly senior referees often give away their old kit.
MATCH DAY
You only get one chance to create a first impression and first impressions last.
Arrival at the ground
Check the kit in your bag before leaving home.
Check transport arrangements to ensure you arrive at the ground at the proper time. Some competition rules stipulate the latest arrival time but if not, you should be there at least 40 minutes prior to kick-off. In bad weather however it is advisable to arrive earlier to check ground conditions.
You should be smart in appearance and preferably wearing a jacket, shirt and Association tie. This creates an air of authority and helps you to earn respect. Introduce yourself courteously to the secretaries of both teams. Check the team colours to avoid any clash.
Inspect the pitch, nets and corner flags and report any problems to the home secretary or ground-staff straight away to give them as much time as possible to rectify the situation before kick-off.
Some competitions make provisions to cater for the late arrival or non-arrival of teams. In the event of late arrival leading to a delayed kick off, take into account lighting conditions, which may prevent you from playing the full amount of time. In the event of a team failing to appear, you may be required to wait a specified time beyond the scheduled kick off time before abandoning the game and allowing the other team to disperse. If you think that the light is not sufficient to play two 45-minute periods make sure that both team secretaries agree and sign the team lines to that effect. If the kick off time is delayed, for whatever reason be sure to advise the match secretary.
Ensure that team lines are provided and exchanged in good time. Some competitions stipulate a deadline time for this to occur. Never start a game without having received both sets of team lines.
Fifteen minutes before kick-off
- Inspect the match ball and keep it.
- Inspect players’ equipment.
Five minutes before kick-off
Finalise your own preparations. Ensure you have all the equipment needed; - stop watch, notebook, pencils, red & yellow cards, at least two whistles and the match ball.
Ask each club for someone to assist as a club assistant referee by indicating when the whole of the ball has crossed over the whole of the line, adding that it is the referee’s responsibility to decide the direction of the throw in. Most leagues expect referees to provide flags for the club assistant.
Instruct the teams to the take the field and follow them out. Recheck the goal nets and corner flags.
One minute before kick-off
Using a strong whistle to emphasise that you are in control, ensure that the pitch is cleared of everybody except the 22 players and conduct the tossing of the coin in readiness for the game.
THE MATCH
It is important to be confident and be your own person and not to be influenced by shouts from players and coaches. Remember they are only looking after their own interests.
Kick-off
Position yourself just forward of the half way line to ensure that all players are in their own half of the field and other requirements of Law 8 are met and start the game with a strong whistle.
General positioning
Positioning is vitally important as the closer you are to the action the more likely the correct decision will be made. You should endeavour to read and anticipate play.
It is unlikely that you will be able to utilise the diagonal system of movement without neutral assistants so you should try to be 10-15 metres from play at an angle. Do not turn your back on play but rather, run backwards or to the side keeping your eyes on play.
Throw-ins
Signal for every throw-in with the arm and hand outstretched. You should only use the whistle in cases where there is some doubt about the direction of the throw-in and the whistle serves to emphasise your decision.
Free kicks
Blow to stop play and indicate the direction with the outstretched arm. Move to where the ball is likely to land for the next phase of play. However, in the case of attacking free kicks within scoring range, you should ask the kicker to wait until you have got the defensive wall back the prescribed distance and taken up your position. For indirect free kicks, remember to give the prescribed signal.
Corners
Signal that you have awarded a corner kick by pointing to the appropriate corner with the outstretched arm and hand fully extended at 45 degrees above the horizontal.
The norm when doing a game without neutral Assistants is to take up a position at the back post close to the goal line. There you will be close to the players to make yourself heard and be able to judge if the ball crosses the line in the event of a goal line scramble or clearance. However, some teams take a ‘short corner’ or very young players may not be able to hit the ball long enough. In such cases you should come to the near post.
Goal kick
If it is clearly a goal kick, merely point to the goal area. However, if there is some doubt about it being a goal kick or corner kick, as well as the hand signal use the whistle to add further emphasis to your decision. In readiness for the next phase of play, take up a wide position on that side of the field of play that you think the ball will land.
Penalty kick
Signal that you have awarded a penalty by blowing and pointing to the spot and quickly running away from the players to the goal line between its junction with the 6 yard and 18 yard lines.
Advantage
When applying advantage, signal using both hands, and shout ‘play on’.
Goal Scored
Signal that you have awarded a goal by blowing, pointing and then running to the centre. Initially you should run backwards keeping an eye on the players within the penalty area watching the celebration of the goal. Then note the goal and time in your book.
Substitutions
As substitutions can only take place during a stoppage in play, indicate that the restart will be delayed. You should quickly go to the touchline at its junction with the half way line to ensure the substitution is carried out in accordance with Law 3.
POST MATCH
In accordance with instructions laid down by the competition rules, you must ensure that team lines are completed and submitted promptly to the League or Association along with any misconduct reports arising from the game. This should always be done within 48 hours of the game. This information is crucial to enable league or association secretaries to check on the eligibility of players for cup-ties or transfers.
Relax after a job well done and look forwards in anticipation to your next appointment.
As time progresses you will find benefit from conducting some form of self-analysis on your performance. Ask yourself; - What did I do wrong? Which things can I do better? If you need any help with particular problems, which arose in a game, seek the advice of more experienced colleagues at training. They have all previously been in the same position and are there to help you.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
It is very important if you have any ambition to referee at senior level that you are fit and attend training on a regular basis. There are 3 training session available every week and you can choose to attend whichever one suits you best. The venues are as follows:
- Tuesday evenings at Crownpoint Sports Centre
Crownpoint Road, Bridgeton, Glasgow at 7.00pm
- Wednesday evenings at WilliamwoodHigh School
Waterfoot Road Clarkston at 7.00pm
- Wednesday evenings at Scotstoun Sports Complex
Danes DriveGlasgowat 7.00pm
- Between the months of June-August, every Wednesday, at Lochinch Playing Fields
PollokCountryPark at 7.00pm
REFEREE CATEGORIES
Category 1 Referees
Category 1 Development Referees
Category 2 Referee
Category 2 Development Referees
Category 3 - Specialist Assistant Referee
Category 3 - Specialist Assistant Referee Development
Category 3 Referee
Category 3 Development Referee
Category 4 Referee
Category 4 Development Referee
Category 5 Registered Referee
Category 6 Registered Referee
Category 7 Registered Referee-This is where you start
7A Referee: Education Pathway
7B Referee: Referee Class Pathway
Category 8 Referee: Quality Mark Awareness
Further information on Categories can be obtained from SFA website:
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