Into the book - Episode 13 - September, 2024
Into The Book - Episode 12
This month we have three videos we will go over to help get ourselves ready for the fall season. We' are excited to bring to our blog clips from many games worked by CRO Referees from leagues in NC. We are going to focus on awareness and finish out with a video on a challenge in the middle third of the field.
Always remember, you haven’t really started refereeing until you’ve made a clip. These clips are here to help all of us learn, not to point out mistakes by fellow referees.
AWARNESS
Video 1
The first seconds of a match are not moments we can take off. It is important to be ready and focused from the moment that we blow the whistle.
In this clip we don’t see anything go wrong. Let’s talk about does happen and what we must recognize as referees.
Yellow plays the ball back to their center back, who is all the way back on the top of their own Penalty Area. White immediately puts on quick, high pressure to the defenders. Three fast, organized defenders pressure yellow into the corner in the first 5 seconds of the match. The first pressure put on in the match and the referees is working on his watch and does not recognize the pressure.
What are our clues and what do we need to be ready for in this moment?
White defenders SPRINT when the ball is kicked, they are clearly going to press hard to get the ball, where ever it goes.
Three defenders are organized and force the pass into more pressure.
Placement on the field - Top of the Penalty area.
If there is a challenge here or a turnover it can lead to a Penalty Area decision, possible DOGSO. You could have 2-3 Critical Match Incidents in the first 5 seconds of the match.
We MUST be ready the moment we blow the whistle. What can we take away from this clip?
Turn on your watch, then blow the whistle to start the match.
Ready player body language for clues on what they will do.
Read Pressure and adjust position accordingly
Video 2
We see in this clip again, nothing major happens. We are going to focus on being ready for the big moment to happen. We always increase our chances to be correct in our decisions when we have proximity and angle of view to challenges.
Yellow Defenders show us that they are going to pressure high immediately after the Goal Kick is taken. We cannot relax in this moment and we must feel the urgency of the potential decision coming. IF there is a turnover you will have a possible DOGSO, Penalty Area decision. Increase your chances of being correct in the next decision. Too often referees wait until the turnover to start moving towards the challenges in these situations. Anticipate that it could all go wrong for white in this moment.
Video 3
It may be rare but we must be ready for big decisions as soon as the match starts. This clip shows that importance!
Challenges
Video 4
Making correct challenge decisions as a referee is top of the list, no matter the score or time of the match. Safety of players is our top priority.
Correct Decision: Reckless Challenge
What makes this a Reckless Challenge:
Late tackle, low likelihood of contact on the ball.
Medium Force, coming from moderate distance with some speed.
Contact on top of the foot with studs
How can we make the decision making process easier in a challenge like this?
Recognize the pressure from the white team. Often when one player presses they will have teammates who follow. High pressure increases likelihood of challenges
As the second defender, who commits the foul, runs past you make note of their speed. As soon as you know how fast they are moving you’ve already checked off one consideration, Speed & Force.
Watch the Defender. By refereeing the defender you will better be able to see the mode and point of contact.
Watch the direction of the ball. In this clip the ball never changes direction from where the attacker plays it. This tells you there was no contact on the ball by the defender.