| For the civic-minded, power will always come with | | | | minor things like how and when the whistle is used, |
| certain responsibilities. Refereeing is no different. To | | | | or the tone used in addressing players can raise the |
| be a referee, you just need a couple flash cards, | | | | profile of a referee. |
| some sort of uniform, a whistle, a coin and writing | | | | Fairness |
| material. To be a good referee, you need a lot more | | | | The competent match official realizes that fairness is |
| than equipment; character and qualities, not merely | | | | one of the core principles governing sport in general. |
| membership in a referee's association, are essential. | | | | What you apply to one team, you should apply to |
| Knowledge | | | | the next. That's why the soccer field is symmetrical |
| A good referee must have an intimate knowledge of | | | | and teams switch sides for the second half or |
| the laws of the game. Some of the laws are so | | | | second period of extra time. Fairness also applies to |
| fundamental to the game, that lack of knowledge of | | | | your dealing with individual players. You have to be |
| them would render you incompetent as a referee. A | | | | both fair and just, even if the player irritates you |
| good referee makes mistakes, but they are | | | | throughout the match. |
| infrequent and not basic errors either. | | | | Consistency |
| Application of Law | | | | Whether you're a strict referee or a more lenient |
| This is where the experience comes in. It is not | | | | one is down to your style and preference. However, |
| enough to know the law, but know when and how | | | | to be a good referee you must be consistent in how |
| to apply the law to particular cases. This is often | | | | you run your game. You should not caution a player |
| cited as (the non-existent) Law 18- Common Sense. | | | | in the first half for a tackle and then expel a |
| A capable match official also knows how to handle | | | | different player immediately for a similar tackle in the |
| rare or unexpected events on the field of play | | | | second half. This principle also applies to law |
| because of the combination of knowledge and | | | | application. It makes little sense being stringent about |
| experience. | | | | players tucking in their jerseys while allowing them to |
| Teamwork | | | | use obscene language throughout the game. |
| Knowing how to co-ordinate your team of officials | | | | If you want to just be a referee, you don't |
| effectively is also a core skill. The good referee also | | | | necessarily need to have a range of qualities. |
| knows how much trust to place in assistant referees | | | | However, it would be wise to develop those and be |
| and communicates with them in such a way that | | | | considered a good referee. The reality is that the |
| they don't feel undermined. There's nothing worse | | | | good referee has the respect of players and an |
| than seeing the referee and assistants giving | | | | easier time on the field. He is seen as competent and |
| opposite signals. | | | | fair. Any mistakes the good referee makes is |
| Good Game Management | | | | attributed to human error and not bias or |
| The good referee effectively controls his game | | | | incompetence. |
| without being officious or stealing the spotlight. Even | | | | |