September  16, 2004
Pre-Game Briefing Recommendations

One sure way for coaches and players to assume you know what you’re doing is to enter the field properly dressed in the USSF uniform.  In order to be treated as an “authority figure”, you must dress and act like someone who is worthy of earning the respect of players and coaches.  You don’t get respect just because you’re an official.

That first step is visual – a second important element in gaining respect will be based on your presentation to the players at team check-in.  In addition to providing a means to verify that the players are properly “carded” and dressed/outfitted with the proper equipment, the pre-game briefing is your opportunity to address “game situations” that may sometimes lead to serious fouls as well as yellow/red cards.  While the “New Referee Guide” gives you the steps of the “team check-in”, it doesn’t specify what to say and why certain things are worth mentioning.

Team check-in is usually done at the top of the Penalty Box with each player in possession of his/her player pass.  If the players do not have their passes in hand, ask a coach to accomplish this task before proceeding.  When the coach hands you the Official Game Card, hand him one linesmen flag and ask for his/her assistance in obtaining an individual to assist you with “ball out of bounds” calls.  After that, verify that the Game Card is filled out entirely and includes the uniform numbers of the players.  If no uniform numbers are noted, ask the coach to complete his/her responsibilities before proceeding with team check-in. 

With everything complete, now turn your attention to the players.  If the players are not concentrating on you, attempt to gain their attention by saying “Gentlemen” or “Young Ladies” and wait a few moments for silence.  Coaches will usually help in this situation as both you and the players are cutting into their time to talk!  If they don’t make such an effort, ask for their assistance in conducting an organized check-in.  Once they have settled down, make an announcement such as: “I’m going to check your player pass, uniform number and cleats – after that, I’m going to give you a short briefing about what I expect of you on the field and then answer any questions you or the coaching staff may have about Rules interpretations – so please hold your questions until I’m done”.

When you’re making this announcement, your eyes should meet the eyes of the players and you should scan the entire line as you are speaking.  This is very important in gaining their attention and establishing your authority.  Speak clearly, slowly and loud enough for all to hear, including the coaches who may be standing behind you.

When checking in the players, always remember that not everyone on the roster will be playing that day for any number of reasons.  Make it a habit of placing a check mark next to those players who have been properly checked in and are carrying the same uniform number as listed on the Game Card.  Sometimes players forget their uniform tops and borrow a spare or someone else’s who can’t play that day.  If you card a player who’s wearing someone else’s jersey, you’ll use the absent players name instead of the player who committed the infraction!  Remember your administrative duties as defined by the USSF.

After the player check-in, it’s now time for your briefing to the players/coaches as to areas that you will be paying particular attention to during the course of the game.  Every referee has a different emphasis and may include or exclude items depending on the age and level of play of the team in question.  This part of the team check-in should last only one minute at most!!!

Here’s one as an example:

-“Play the whistle and play the ball” (pause for effect)

-“One example of playing the whistle is not every time a ball strikes a player’s upper or lower arm is it a hand-ball foul.  Players, coaches and sidelines always try and help with such calls but it’ll be my judgment as to whether the ball played the player or the player deliberately played the ball”

-“Playing the ball and not the man is just that – you can’t go through people to reach the ball”

-“Straight up for head balls, keep your hands down and to yourself” (there will be many hand touches during the game and you whistle for those situations where someone has gained an “unfair advantage”)

-“When it’s your opportunity for a throw-in, take the throw-in where the ball went out of bounds – that’s your release point, not the starting point for a five yard run-up the field”

-“Give everybody 10 yards on free-kicks immediately, the offensive teams DOES NOT HAVE TO ASK FOR “10” – it’s part of the Laws of the Game!”

-“When you are substituted for, go across the field to the team bench so I can keep track of how many players are on the field.  We don’t want a goal disallowed because of too many players for the scoring team! (a good habit is to quickly count the players before you re-start play.  At this level, coaches and players may not be on the same page and mistakes do happen-it’s your responsibility to make sure that they don’t!)

-“Keeper – one finger on the ball is control.  Forwards, when you’re on the offensive and you see the keeper gain control of the ball, back away from him (or her) and let him get the ball into play without interference”

-You can add or subtract anything you wish. Some officials find it very offensive to hear profanity and if you have a low tolerance for that, inform the players it won’t be tolerated. Regardless of what is stressed, added or deleted, you must be prepared to deal with such violations you’ve made part of your presentation in order to maintain your authority, and thus, the respect the game participants have of you.  Don’t give specific examples to the players as –“ if this happens I’ll do this”.  If you say something specific and then don’t follow through with your announcement, you’ve credibility as an official is compromised.

-“Any questions or concerns?  If none, I’ll have captains in the middle of the field after I check-in the other team/in about five minutes”.

What you’ve accomplished by a short, yet detailed presentation to the team, is a statement that you’re in control and this is how the game will be managed.  Yes – managed!  The players set the tone and tenor of the match, you’re job is to make sure they’re playing within the spirit of the Laws of the Game – you’re managing the game by making constant decisions as to whether to blow the whistle or not.  It is extremely rare that any official, regardless of how many years or games officiated, will ever call a perfect game.  Everyone makes judgmental errors or you may not be in the right position to see a situation.  Learn from your mistakes – that’s how everyone else has done it –why should you be any different!

Good Luck -