Pre Game Conference: by Richard Rodriguez

IMPORTANT: No one else has the perfect pregame for you. You must develop your own pregame that fits your personality, your style and what is important to you during the game.

I hope you’ll find this information useful, perhaps you'll even have a "Wow, I never thought of that" moment when reading it!

Please feel free to keep it in your bag, use it during your games and use it to make modifications to your own pregame.

 

1) Communication

• Eye contact on all dead balls
• Mirror my calls with sharp signals
• Talk to players, remind them you’re a referee as well
• Call my name if needed and I’m close
• Only call over if you can’t handle the situation
• Mirror opposite A/R when necessary

2) Goals

• You are the goal judge, make the runs all the way to the goal line, keep running, need to sell the call
• Be sure, Eye Contact, then the Jog 10‐15 yards up
• On “NO” goals stand still until we figure it out
• Do not let us restart on a “bad” goal!

3) Offside

• Always even with 2^nd to last defender or ball
• Wait for participation, look for runners
• Don’t worry about hesitating. Better a flag a little ‘late’ than too early
• Flag up until whistle, waved down or cleared by defense; trail A/R mirror as necessary

4) Ball outside the field of play

• Quick out/in, straight up, eye contact, then direction.
• Hold the flag forever if missed on ball in to touch or over goal line
• Your quadrant give signals, throws, goal kick, corner kick; mirror in mine
• My quadrant flag in hand of direction, if I look for help

5) Penalty Kicks

• No problem with you calling a P/K foul. Be 300% positive/sure.
• EYE CONTACT first… Am I looking at the play?, am I screened?
• If outside P/A small step to your left, that lets me know “outside of P/area”
• New USSF signal for inside the area
• Head to goal line, go around (outside) the corner flag
• Intersect of Goal Line/Penalty Area line for PK
• Judge goal/no goal only, don’t worry about any other infractions

6) Free Kicks/Fouls

• Match tempo of what I’m calling, first 5-10 minutes
• I prefer you not call the first foul but if it is very obvious let’s get it right
• Flag fouls in your area “that I cannot see”
• Stay with off side ALWAYS on kicks
• Manage walls/distance near you
• Watch for fouls/misconduct behind me

7) Substitutions

• Manage all subs, I’ll make sure you get back, but If I am obviously closer I will manage subs
• Players all the way off before subs enter
• Keep track of player’s numbers leaving and entering for matches with limited subs
• Perform inspection for equipment before entry, jerseys tucked in, etc

8) Misconduct

• Pat front left pocket for Caution
• Pat back right pocket for Send Off
• Step on to prevent/stop a scuffle if you need to
• We MUST get 100% misconduct right. No one gets a free ride.
• Either call the foul and/or indicate misconduct, make sure we do not restart until we take care of it

9) Miscellaneous

• Always watch players & field of play. When ball is out of the touch or goal line keep eyes on field and players, DO NOT CHASE THE BALL
• Do not ball watch, watch where I am not
• Watch what I cannot see behind my back
• Be extra attentive during dead ball situations, in this pattern:
1. Eye contact with me,
2. your quadrant,
3. rest of field,
4. bench area,
5. other A/R
• Back me up on time, goals, cards
• Who is senior A/R and replaces if necessary
• Things I’d prefer you not call,
1. keeper more than six seconds,
2. intentional pass back,
3. keeper out of area on a punt, warn at least twice, loudly so I can hear it too (Spirit Of The Game)

10) Altercations/Mass Confrontation

• Near A/R joins referee to separate and control. Do not touch, grab players, just get between them
• Far A/R stands away takes numbers and jersey colors, note likely/possible cards
• Far A/R watch bench behavior too, note ANYONE leaving bench to join in
• All, note anyone who helps and doesn’t aggravate

11) Injured Players

• Competition Rules, leave field or not?
• Assess, serious injury, get my attention, call name
• Do not encourage players to put the ball out, let coach or teammates do that

12) Missed Flags

• Opposite A/R Mirrors
• Call name if necessary, last resort but let’s get it right
• Do not let us restart if ball out of touch line for example
• Misconduct must be dealt with, minor foul read the situation.

13) Crew discussion

 a)General:

• Does anyone know anything about either team
• Does anyone know anything about particular players
• Does anyone know anything about either coach
• Who are the administrators/coaches in case we dismiss someone for irresponsible behavior

b) Situations we absolutely positively MUST get right

• Offside
• Penalty Kicks
• Goal/No Goal
• Send-Offs – Player/Coach

14) Questions? – Let’s Do It!