The Montana Official's Association (high school) registration is due May 15, 2013. Late fees are charged after that date. Questions regarding this registration should be directed to the Montana High School Association 406-442-6010.

We have seen a lot of improvement in professionalism with regard to mechanics and work rate. However we can still make improvements on our Body Language and look on the field.

A referee's and assistant referee's body language can convey all sorts of messages to players, coaches, managers and spectators about the referee's own emotions, confidence and ability. Non-verbal body language messages occur more frequently and are more powerful than verbal messages. It is crucial that you, as a referee, consider what messages you are sending to onlookers. Improving your message-sending ability will greatly assist your refereeing.

Body language includes your physical appearance, fitness, the clothes that you are wearing, posture, eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, arm and hand movements - and even no movement at all by standing still in the right place! Your body language often speaks louder than your words. Even making a correct call can cast doubts in the minds of participants if your corresponding body language does not appear decisive.

Ask yourself these questions

1. What feeling do I convey to the players? Am I coming across to them as confident, interested, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, cold, and scared out of my wits?

2. How do I look? Tidy? Professional? Clean? Slovenly? Dirty? Is my shirt tucked in?

3.How do I sound? Scared? Quiet? Loud? Confident? Know what I am talking about? Don't have a clue? Authoritative? Polite? Rude? Mumbling?

Take great care to make sure your appearance is professional: neat, clean, smart and appropriate. You should be dressed at least as well as the players, or better. Do you look professional? Are you wearing a hat? Sun glasses? Do you let the players where sun glasses? Are you wearing earrings? Do you allow the players to wear jewelry? Do you have socks on? Are they USSF appropriate socks?

We should all  look like this 13 year old! Proper uniform, shirt tucked in, and a smile to boot!

We can all work on POSITIONING as referees.

DIAGONAL CONTROL + WWG

Diagonal Control – Referee’s General Movement Pattern

The movement pattern of the referee is basically a diagonal path from one corner of a penalty area to the other. This allows assistant referees to exercise control over that area of the field closest to them. The referee‟s positioning acknowledges the AR's area of responsibility and recognizes that there is a further 2/3rds of that half that needs the presence of an official.

The movement pattern suggests there is little value in the referee being in the centre circle. Surveys have shown that this is the area that referees most often get hit with the ball or get in the way of play and the players.

Here is a GPS track of a referee that is clearly staying out of the centre circle

Can you find the centre circle in this GPS track?  Is the referee spending too much time there?

Modern concepts in gaining the appropriate angle are ACB, X-Factor, and WWG (Targeting).

The ACB concept summarized

A = ANGLE - by getting a side on view, level or slightly behind play enables the Referee to be in the best position to see any fouls or incidents.

C = CLOSE - by getting sensibly close to play enables the Referee to be able to see incidents, get quickly into potential explosive situations and sell the decision successfully.

B = BALL - by having a view when possible across the ball to your AR enables the Referee to be able to quickly acknowledge the AR’s flag for offside, fouls and the ball being out of play.

X-Factor concept summarized

The ability of the referee to see through play or point of contact by gaining an external (left of play) or internal (right of play) view.

EXTERNAL VIEW

Where the referee is outside or to the left of play.

From this position the referee can see through the point of contact, will have the majority of players in view, and have play between the referee and assistant referee.

                             \         /              |AR

                                   \ /                  |

  Ref eyes > o

                                 / \

                           /         \

INTERNAL VIEW

Where the referee is inside of play, that is, on the right side of play.

In this case many players are not in the view of the referee and play is not between referee and assistant.

                               \     /           |AR

                                  \ /             |

                                   o <--- Ref Eyes

                                 / \

                           /       \

If time is the most important factor, take the shortest route (Internal), BUT if you have enough time to get a good angle, take the route that keeps you out of the way of play (External).

“WWG‟ is a short-hand method of explaining the anticipation required of referees to achieve more effective positioning. The referee asks two questions and makes a decision:

Where is play going?

Where do I need to go to get the best view?

Go there!

Good anticipation provides referees with more time to select the best viewing option. Not anticipating play means that referees have to chase the play, often at a fast pace, draining both physical energy and mental capacity, as well as limiting their positional options.  The sooner the referee begins the positional sequence the easier it will be to cover the required ground whilst selecting the best viewing option.

This process often starts in the middle of the field when an attacking move breaks down and the play starts moving in the opposite direction. Many referees watch play go past them and then at some point begin to chase the play. They are already behind play and getting further behind all the time. This leaves them limited time and positional options to get the best view.

More details on these concepts can be found at www.montanaref.org under documents: POSITIONING CONCEPTS : POSITIONING

SELF ASSESSMENT

Self assessment [or reflection; or evaluation] is a crucial mental technique for developing your

skills and assessing your own development. You should do this for most, if not all, matches you officiate. Use any technique that suits you - it‟s up to you - but in order for it to be of any benefit to your officiating it needs to be linked to action.

Do not be too tough on yourself; only pick one or two skills to work on at a time. Too many and it will become confusing and negative. It is crucial that you always identify the positives before tackling any areas for development. Here are the four steps:

1. Review - you think about the match you have just officiated.

2. Identify – skills or techniques you believe you carried out really well. That‟s the good bit. Now identify skills and techniques you think you could and should improve.

3. Plan - ways to improve no more than two of the items you have identified above in your next match.

4. Action - carry out your plans when you next officiate. You could also tell a mentor or an observer, if one is present, what you intend to do. These people can then focus on those elements and give you some specific feedback.

Then it all starts again, as you Review your match, Identify the skill[s] you want to develop, Plan ways to do this, and put them into Action.

Last week we talked about ball watching. This has improve this week! Good job. We have noticed throughout the season, good eye contact by the referee crew at each and every stoppage. Keep it up!

There are times at which we can have too much of a good thing.As AR's we need to watch the field at all times. Our game is between the lines. If a referee is issuing a card, once we get the number of the player we need to keep scanning the rest of the field to watch the referees back. If everyone is watching the referee who is watching the other 21 players?

At the end of a half the team side AR (SAR) should find the referees' left shoulder watching the players as he/she gets there and the fan side AR (JAR) should find the referees' right shoulder also watching the players as they go to their respective benches. We then leave the field as a team. We cannot be explaining calls to the fans or making dinner arrangements.

Watch the Video: AR-eyes-2

We see many AR's making signals with noisy flags for everything from a corner kick to offside. This was taught at one time but is no longer acceptable. Nowhere in the Guide to Procedures does it state that the AR should pop or snap the flag up for anything. From FIFA we have: “When making a signal, the assistant referee must stop running, face the field of play, make eye contact with the referee and raise the flag with deliberate (not hasty or exaggerated) motions. The flag should be like an extension of the arm. ” Not hasty or exaggerated means don't pop or snap it up. This draws too much attention to the referee crew. As referees please do not ask or tell the AR to pop or snap the flag up for anything. We are to use quiet flags for all signals.

Stop, face the field, make eye contact with the referee and then raise the flag quietly and then lower it quietly once acknowledged by the referee.

We need to not signal too fast for offside. We need to wait and see, not with our feet but with our head. There is too much to explain in a short note like this as to when we are and when we are not to put the flag up of offside. Here is a great resource from FIFA:

FIFA interactive guide to offside

Pay attention to slides 19,20, and 21. This is where we are seeing many mistakes state wide.

Most common are flagging errors, that is, flags going up when they should not. Take a breath or two and wait and see. Here is a video where the AR does not wait and see and puts the flag up too soon. There was a player that is onside that can play the ball but the AR did NOT wait and see who got to the ball first!

Watch the Video: Too Fast with the Flag

Last week we mentioned that by running off of the line you can use the line to square yourself to the field. We are still seeing many AR's running on the line (see the video below). With a little right triangle geometry, you can show that if your feet are 16 inches apart and one foot is just one inch behind the other, then your line of sight will be 4 yards off on the far side of a field that is 65 yards wide. We need to use the line help us get square.

Watch the Video: Running the line

We have noticed that many referees are whistling after a good goal. This is only necessary if the players are still playing and you need to get their attention. If you whistle after a goal that is clear to everyone, the players think that there was a foul. Please consult page 78 of:

FIFA-Law5-Referee Signal

As referees, after a goal we need to pay attention to the players. This is a time in a match when anything can happen. We have noticed that many referees turn their back on the players and seem more interested in writing the score in the book then making sure that the players separate without incidence.

Try herding the team that just scored to their end of the field and don't write until just before you are to whistle for the kick off. Recall that the ball is the defending team's as they are the ones that have the kick off. Watch to make sure that there isn't a tussle for the ball. You can be proactive and grab the ball and bring it to midfield yourself if you need to.

Watch the following Video:After a Goal

Remember that assistant referees just give information. In particular, offside is a call for the referee to make with information given by the AR. You may wave the AR down. Think of a long ball through the defense, with a forward in full flight after it. The attacker was in a offside position when the ball was played and he/she clearly seems to be gaining an advantage since he/she has outrun the defenders. But you can see that the ball is going through to the goalkeeper, who is going to get it safely BEFORE the attacking player can. Let play proceed, even thought the assistance referee's flag is in the air. Just put your arm out to wave the flag down – you might even shout out: “good flag!” Thanks very much!- and then watch what happens. If the keeper gathers the ball safely, the game will keep going with a kick or throw from the keeper. You will have let the game proceed without interference from the referee crew. And remember that if for some reason the keeper misses the ball, or it takes an awkward bounce, or if it looks as though the attacker might win the ball, you can still call the offside. The breach of the law doesn't go away; you are simply changing you mind quickly, if that infringement was not trifling after all.

A slight hesitation in making decisions about offside is a positive skill for both referee and assistant referees that we encourage everyone to acquire it. The players appreciate it, the game needs it, and the officials look good doing it.

The most important part is to remember who's game it is and to Have Fun out there!

We are into the spring season four weeks now and we have been out in several different venues watching the referees. We have seen a lot of good stuff out there but there are some common areas that we can all improve on to bring our refereeing to the next level. One thing we need to work on is "ball watching" as a referees and as an assistance referees. The other problem area is making it all the way to the goal line as assistance referees, each and every time.

Below are three things to work on. We have put some clips up on youtube to illustrate what we want like to see.

We have too much ball watching as AR's. To help with this try the following: during the run of play find the Ball then the Referee and then your Offside line (BRO) and repeat constantly during active play. Sometimes you can do this all with your peripheral vision if you are not run on the line. Sometimes you can do this just with eye movement and sometimes you will have to turn your head to do this which is the slowest of the three. We must maintain focus and concentration on our major responsibility OS and watching behind the referee at all times. We can not just watch the ball. This will also help you improve your peripheral vision which is also key when you are the referee.
Watch the following video: BRO-Video

We have too much ball watching by the referee during free kicks. Sometimes we can get into position to watch the ball, the wall, if there is one, and the players in the target or drop zone. The first two clips show this. Of the three things we are trying to watch the ball is the least important, it will not foul anyone. Sometimes the referee can not watch all three. We have to give something up or delegate some of this to the trail AR. We as referees must concentrate on the drop zone. Watch the last 4 clip segments, you will see that the referees are NOT WATCHING THE BALL at all. They are totally concentrated on the players in the drop zone.
Video: Not-Ball-Watching-Referee

When you are an AR, remember when the ball is going to the goal line you must make those runs to the goal line each and every time, don't stop keep going, you never know what will happen. Your offside line is the ball or the 2nd to last defender, which ever is closest to the goal line. Your right shoulder should be touching the corner flag as you signal for a goal kick. For a corner kick, take one step back up field so your flag does not cross the corner flag. For a good goal a short sprint up the field. In all cases find the referee and make eye contact BEFORE YOU signal. If the ball leaves the field of play and returns and the players are still playing, raise your flag. Once the referee sees you, give the correct signal for a goal kick, corner kick, good goal or throw in. Watch the following video, this is what we want to see:
Video: AR runs to goal line

The Most Important part: Have Fun Out there!

Due May 15, 2013!!

All currently registered MOA officials were sent a registration form in the mail for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year.  Everyone MUST register if they want to continue refereeing MOA games.    

June 1 – Registration closes.  Any registration received after this date will pay a $25.00 late fee, MUST take and pass the exam for their rating level in order for their membership to be renewed and any upgrade requests will be denied by MOA.

Welcome to another year of soccer refereeing. 2013 certification and recertification courses are scheduled and waiting for you.

Anyone who has previously registered as a USSF referee should pay the certification fee online at https://www.ussoccer.info There are prompts on the registration page to retrieve USSF number and passwords.  Or look on the form attached to your 2012 registration card, your USSF login id and password are in the lower left. Print your payment information and hand it to your clinic instructor when you attend training. You must pay to be approved.

Be sure to update your contact information--especially your e-mail address when you register.  USSF is sending monthly updates to EVERY referee in the U.S.  These include the best and newest ideas about soccer refereeing.  You do not want to miss a single one.

Here at montanaref.org, login and correct any errors in your contact information.  Click on "Events/Clinics" and register for a local certification clinic.  This registration lets your instructor prepare for participants and send notices on location, materials to bring and pre-clinic training.

Pre-clinic training for recertifying referees includes on-line sessions and completion of the 2013 examination at http://moodle.montanaref.org/  It's great to see all of the video clips and see other referees get the call right or wrong.

New referees, this includes referees who have not recertified for 2 years, must complete the entire new referee certification for grade 9 (recreational youth matches) or grade 8 (recreational and competitive youth matches).

One last item, for those referees who plan to officiate matches for the Montana Youth Soccer Association clubs, https://home.gotsoccer.com/login.aspx?

As always, if you have problems e-mail me at mtsra@q.com Have fun.  See you on the pitch.

Mary Arnold, Montana State Referee Administrator