Often young referees are curious and amazed on how experienced or excellent referee manage and control the match in a rather relaxed and easy way whereas they usually are faced with challenges and difficulties in their matches. Match management is not about having the knowledge on the Laws of the Game, years of refereeing experience or your high academical qualification. Mental understanding on the feelings of players, coaches, players fouled or who fouled other players, team behind in goal scored, players who re-entered after being stretchered out and also players who seem to be very aggresive or robust in their tackles will the X-factor needed of an excellent referee.
It is the responsibility of the referee or the refereeing team to create a stye of control, a procedure or regulation that is communicated clearly to the players so that they will abide to it. They also have to create a playing environment or condition that encourages players to uphold or give priority to the rules, guidelines or culture created by the referee.
Players are given the responsibilities by coaches to influence either positively or negatively the decisions of the referees so as to gain the upper hand or advantages over their opponents.
Players are guided to test and measure the referee. The referee should not be excited or threatened by the players or situations. Show your impact or authority early in the game.
Players wants fairness. Referees must be consistent and seen to be consistent in Correct decisions according to the Laws of the Game may not necessary be the right decisions. Intellegent and descretion need to be used.
Players wants their appeal to be heard by the referee. Referee must be good listener with symphaty and emphaty in their attitude. Players will reflect their emotion verbally, visually or physically. Referee must always seen to be calm and not emotional. Many referees make mistakes by showing reaction or being emotional towards an incident. When making decision, be calm and the decision will be better. Meed to have a bit of jovial but not being a joker or clown. Sometime after a decision, it is better to move away from the place of incident immediately or keep moving. This will avoid players from crowding around you ot closing in to protest to create confrontation.
Players want the situation to be tense and of high challenges so as to distract the referee. Thus, the referee, at critical situation need to slow down the pace of the game or situation. Get rid of the culprit - identify the culprit among the players and take strong actions or encounter wisely.
Players wants to be treated equally. Referees should avoid threatening any player. Avoid talking in a ridicue manner or shouting at them.
Players used the Laws of the Game and play in a manner to bring the game to disrepute to maje the task of the referee difficult. Referee should show to the players that he knows what he is doing. React with correct actions and decisions accordingly with verbal action when neccessary. Referee needs to show signals or picture his assertiveness.
Players feel proud of their achievement. Referee should also praise the players on their good behavior, for following your principles of management or does something special. "Honey attracts the bees better than the vineger. Praising sometimes can reduce the tension. If the referee does not take the good or correct action, players will have their ways to react. Referee should be seen to be taking action even though is not taking any action at all. Sanctions should be given accordingly and appropriately. 'Listen' to the players and be aware of their needs.
The above are some useful tips that may be of use to new referees and these guidelines can be use with some modification according to the nature of the situations and conditions. Use a lot of intelligent, descretion and also gamemanship in your match management. Self-assessment before, during and after the match is often useful if the inadequacies identified are given proper attention and taken actions to overcome the deficiencies will enable a young aspiring referee to proceed further in his refereeing career.
