Refereeing

If you’re a volunteer coach, the chances are you’re going to be asked to referee a youth soccer match at some point. This is a daunting task as refereeing at any level can be fraught with difficulties. These articles offer our tips and insights on how to deal with parents, coaches, players, the weather and all the other problems which make refereeing one of the hardest jobs in soccer.

  • Playing Against a Side That Cheats - Your players are playing the game for the right reasons and you come up against a side that is prepared to play unfair. It is difficult to know what is regarded as cheating. Is it also gamesmanship, or just sometimes playing dumb of the laws?


  • Now Referees Need Bodyguards - It's getting harder to get enough referees for junior matches. So what can we do about it? Who would be a referee these days? Children are sitting up watching matches like Chelsea v Barcelona which make the hairs on your neck stand on end. But then if you've refereed a match at anything between under 4 to under 12 you'll be immune to it. Junior football is not a nice place for a referee.
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