Potential referee here!

[Michael-A-UK]

I have wanted to be a referee for ages, and I will finally be 16 this June so I can go for qualification. I was just wondering if, in your opinion, there are any particular qualities a person should have to succeed in refereeing?

[Tame Lion]

I was just wondering if, in your opinion, there are any particular qualities a person should have to succeed in refereeing?
Good law knowledge, good common sense, really good foul recognition, good communication skills, and a really thick skin.

[billf]

A thick skin, a genuine love for the game, respect for the players, humility, confidence, a sense of humor, and good communications skills help on the personality side of things. A commitment to fitness and to self-analysis and learning the game are important as well.

[Jeff from Michigan]

I have wanted to be a referee for ages, and I will finally be 16 this June so I can go for qualification. I was just wondering if, in your opinion, there are any particular qualities a person should have to succeed in refereeing?


Well...it depends whether you're talking about things you need to develop, or innate traits you may find useful.

Foul recognition, and knowledge of the rules, are things you can study, develop and hone over time...but they will be critical to your eventual success.

A knowledge of the GAME --- which is distinct from a knowledge of the "Laws of the Game" --- is also critical. This you can learn from studying and watching...but it also helps if you play, at some level.

Communication skill is something that may come easily, or with difficulty. But this is also helpful...especially in learning how to deal with people. And, in a related vein, overall "people skills" are very helpful, as well. Again, these are things you can develop over time...and in many cases, may be a part of growing up.

Some things you will find useful are physical traits that you may be able to hone...but it helps if you have them in abundance to start:

A good eye
Decent speed and endurance
A willingness actually to use whatever speed and endurance you have
An instinct to hustle
An athlete's instinct for where the action is going...so you can already be there when it arrives


And, among the things that you will also need are some things that you may simply have to be born with...or somehow develop in your soul:

Honesty
Humility
Patience
Empathy and respect for the players
Common sense
A sense of humor
A sense of fair play
A thick skin
A cool head in times of trouble
An objective intelligence that includes being able to read events as they unfold

This is not, of course, an exhaustive list...but I find it quite a lot to strive for, even on my best days.

[ProfZodiac]

You need common sense. That above all else.
You need knowledge of the game. A history of playing would be best.
You need to know who to protect.
You need the ability to see the entire field.
You need ESP.
You need to be a bit of a masochist.

[refmike]

Thick skin
Self confidence
Thicker skin
Another referee to talk to about how to avoid the mistakes you WILL make
patience (with yourself)

[Chubbywubby]

All of the above, plus:

Courage - to make the PK call in the 89th minute.
Courage - to toss an irate, obnoxious coach who's twice your age and twice your size.
Courage - to go back out there and do it again after all of your matches last week went to hell in a handbasket.

Am I repeating myself? :confused:

[Caesar]

A thick skin.

This cannot be emphasised enough. You will get a LOT of crap.

[nsa]

Another referee to talk to about how to avoid the mistakes you WILL makeNot only to talk about avoiding mistakes, but also to talk with after you make mistakes. And you will make mistakes. ;)

There will also be those moments during the game when things happen and you don't quite know what to do. You can use Law 18 (aka common sense) to make the call and most likely everything will go smoothly. However, check with your mentor afterwards. Just because you got away with it, doesn't mean that you got it right.