Ref Base – Mentor Evaluations

You have the speed and fitness. You just need to unleash it and you can be a rockstar referee! Areas to work on: You generally know where you need to be on the field but seem to lose focus, falling out of position. Practice maintaining focus on your position throughout the entire match. You also tend to take a position behind the goal keeper when they are preparing to punt it. This puts you at least a half field behind play when the ball lands. Instead, think about “running into your diagonal” and take a position near the halfway on the right side of the field as you face the goalkeeper. When the ball lands and you turn to run down field, play will then generally be on your right.

Good foul recognition and selection. This included a correct no-call handball in the penalty area followed quickly by another correct no-call slide early in the match. You also correctly identified an intentional heading call for this age group. Areas to work on: maintaining constant positioning and being close to play will help you better sell your calls and no calls.

Posted game times are the kickoff time. The referee should arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before the kickoff time. While this allows time to check-in players, it also allows time to address issues such as those potentially with the field, rosters, or matching jersey colors. It also allows time for your pregame with the crew. No officials were present for this first match of the day until two minutes before the scheduled kickoff. The match started late and you had no pregame with your crew. Areas to work on: plan to arrive early as noted and hold a pregame with your crew. Incorporate your expectations for your ARs and any expectations for the overall match into your pregame.

Good signaling for throw-ins, fouls, and goal kicks. Areas to work on: work on a crisper corner kick signal (45 degrees up and 45 degrees out). Also, remember to raise your hand on all indirect free kicks. There was an attacking indirect free kick just above the penalty area in which your hand remained down. Had the ball gone directly into the goal, the LOTG would have required you to redo the kick instead of allowing a goal kick.