AYSO National Referee Program 08/19/14 Seeking Success I Instructor Notes Leaders (Instructors, Assessors, Mentors, Administrators, Experienced Referees) can and should influence the behavior of their team members. This course will present the Elements of Mentoring which leaders can use to influence referees’ ability to learn, retain information, and modify behavior. AYSO National Referee Program #531 1

What Are We Doing Today? We don’t want “Trouble in River City” 08/19/14 What Are We Doing Today? We don’t want “Trouble in River City” We’ll discuss on-field management techniques and pre-game preparations Instructor Notes. Presenters introduce themselves Survey class for experience and badge level Discuss what “trouble” means in the context of a soccer match and in the context of different age groups. Ask for class thoughts on this.

Challenges? What challenges do you have to overcome 08/19/14 Challenges? What challenges do you have to overcome to have a successful game? Instructor Notes Ask for input on what challenges may occur: Field conditions; playing conditions; relative team strength, physical level of play, previous rivalry, coach/player/spectator dissent, problem players, lack of three neutral referees, outside interference, spectators coaching players, increasing intensity as the match progresses, etc.

Success by Avoiding Trouble 08/19/14 Success by Avoiding Trouble Thinking ahead Team Treat w/courtesy & respect Trivial Time Threatening Togs Two cents Temperature Tactics Instructor Notes Trouble with a capital “T” Quick review of the “T’s” that will be covered.

Thinking Ahead Are you mentally prepared? 08/19/14 Thinking Ahead Are you mentally prepared? Are you properly fueled and hydrated? Do you know anything about the teams? Their coaches? Their players? Instructor Notes Ask for anecdotes from the class regarding matches where lack of preparation affected the match. Discuss preparation techniques and tools.

Treat w/Courtesy & Respect 08/19/14 Treat w/Courtesy & Respect Introduce yourself to the coaches Player check-in Interaction with parents Instructor Notes Use this slide to set the next slide – the AYSO triangle Ask referees for techniques they have used to “introduce” themselves to the players, coaches, and parents. Talk about how the initial interaction can set the stage for everything that follows. The courtesy and respect you initially offer will give you something to draw on if things get testy. Remind referees that courtesy & respect are not only what a referee should be granted, but are what a referee should offer to our AYSO “customers”, the players, coaches, and referees

KIDS AYSO Team REFEREES COACHES REFEREES PARENTS Remind the class that there should always be a team on, and at, the field whose mission is to see that the kids have a fun, safe, and fair game. PARENTS

Time Arrive early Start, half, and end on time 08/19/14 Time Arrive early Start, half, and end on time Effect on players, coaches, and parents Instructor Notes Emphasis on this slide is: 1. The effect starting or ending late has on every other game that follows 2. The need for everyone to be respectful of everyone else’s time 3. Being on time is one more indication to the players, coaches, and spectators of the professionalism of the referee crew. 4. Arriving in advance means you have the time to properly introduce yourself to the coaches, to check the field and the players. It means you have time to get on the same page with the other referees.

Togs Wear the correct uniform Look professional 08/19/14 Instructor Notes Ask the referees what this means to them. Impress on the class that a referee who does not look the part is in the hole before he or she ever blows the first whistle

Temperature Temperature on the field Temperature along the touchlines 08/19/14 Temperature Temperature on the field Temperature along the touchlines Keep things well below the boiling point Instructor Notes Ask the class to give examples of what is meant by the “temperature” of a match and how you can gauge it? Ask for examples of how you can control the temperature of a match. Voice, whistle, foul calls, cards, working as a ref team, engagement with the coach, etc. Teaching points: Is it harder to dial the temperature down at the start of a match, or toward the end of a match? How do you get control early? How can the coaches help you, or sink you? What things impact the “temperature” of the players?

Team Importance of referee team - Working together - Communication 08/19/14 Team Importance of referee team - Working together - Communication Teams playing AYSO Team Instructor Notes Points to make or questions to ask: How do you “get together” as a ref team at the start of a match? Give examples of referees working together as a team during a match. How many different ways can a referee team communicate with each other during a match? What role do ARs play in controlling a match? How do the teams (style of play, relative skill, level of fitness, personality, coaches) determine the nature of a game? How can you use the AYSO team (at the game, at your Region/Area/Section/National) to improve you as a referee and to improve your contribution to AYSO and its players?

Trivial Trivial offenses Trivial dissent 08/19/14 Trivial Trivial offenses Trivial dissent The Laws of the Game are intended to provide that games should be played with as little interference as possible, and in this view it is the duty of the referee to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful breaches produces bad feelings and loss of temper on the part of the players and spoils the pleasure of spectators. Instructor Notes Give/get examples of trivial offenses or dissent. Compare trivial to non-trivial – in the context of different age groups, levels of play, and game situations. Discuss how stopping the game for trivial events affects the game

Threatening What threatens game control? Players Coaches Spectators 08/19/14 Threatening What threatens game control? Players Coaches Spectators Instructor Notes Have the referees give examples of things that threaten control of the game. Ask the referees how they recognize when something threatens their control of a game. Ask the referees to give an example of something that threatened a game that they did not recognize or react to at the time., and what was the outcome. Discuss how a referee team should deal an event or action that threatens game control.

Two-cents Worth What is/isn’t appropriate for on-field talk? Players 08/19/14 Two-cents Worth What is/isn’t appropriate for on-field talk? Players Coaches Spectators Instructor Notes Give examples of the on-field conversations that may go on during a match: 1. Player to player – same team, opposite teams 2. Coach to player, and player to coach 3. Referee to player, and player to referee 4. Referee to coach, and coach to referee 5. Spectator to player 6. Spectator to referee, and referee to spectator 7. Spectator to spectator 8. Coach to coach

Tactics Voice used with players Whistle Signals Eye-contact with ARs 08/19/14 Tactics Voice used with players Whistle Signals Eye-contact with ARs Instructor Notes Discuss referee to player voice interactions as a means of match control and of delivering information (encouraging and warning) Discuss variations the use, and non-use, of the whistle, and the effect of variations in the whistle “voice”. Review the importance of clear and decisive hand signals. Review the importance of referee eye contact with ARs - both for “getting it right” as well as for contributing to your work as a team.

Thank you for attending! Don’t forget to thank everyone for their contributions to AYSO and especially tor what they do for the kids. Without them the game would not be Safe, Fair, and Fun. Encourage the referees to continue their badge advancement. Remind them we always need more Mentors, Instructors, and Assessors. And that their Regions and Are as have programs in place to assist and sup port them in all these endeavors. programs@ayso.org #531