FIFA Beach Soccer Refereeing Course

BEACH SOCCER - Ready to roll?

Football Association has just concluded the first FIFA Beach Soccer introductory course for 25 referees in Male from the 18 - 22 April 2011. FIFA Instructor Stephan Fassler from Switzerland conducted the course.

The participants were given workshop, group discussion and practical training pertaining to the identify the difference in the understanding and interpretation of the Laws of the Game and its implementation from the normal football and FUTSAL game. A Beach Soccer Festival was also held to gauge the understanding of the referees in the interpretation and implementation of the laws. This was a good experience for all the participants including the local FUTURO III Instructors, Ahmed Abeer Ismail and Mohamed Saeed.

All the participants realized and understood that from this short course, it is very difficult to grasp all that is needed to know of the game. More intensive theory sessions and quizzes including practical experiences in training and the match practices is needed. The knowledge achieved in this course is just "the tip of an iceberg". Much is needed to be done by the FA and also the participants themselves.

Where do we go from here? Referees Department of FA Maldives hope that the Beach Games Committee in the Ministry of Youth and Sports will hold a local competition prior to the International Invitation Beach Soccer Competition to held here in the Maldives in September. We can all dream that one day our Dhivehi football will soars to greater height and perhaps be a small giant from a tiny country respected in the Beach Soccer World Cup.

Psychological Effects in the Game

"Butterfly in the stomach" or nervous is a normal effect manifested by the anxiety level in a referee prior to a match. Having a manageable anxiety level will instill in the mind of the referee to be prepared mentally and physically for the match. High anxiety level may be detrimental to the performance resulting in wrong decision, unable to give full concentration to have the game or difficult situations under his control. Low anxiety level leads to complacency and thus will be reflected in a uncommitted, careless, lethargic or incompetent performance.

High level match (top of the table derby or knock-out stage) will affect the referee in his preparedness for the game. Experience will differ a referee from from another. Having the ability to absorb the high pressure will be an advantage to the referee. Ability to psyche-up or motivate oneself to perform at his best is also a characteristic that an excellent referee possessed.

Knowing your strength and weakness and understanding unwanted thoughts (pondering over mistakes or thinking of protest from players) that affect your feeling will be helpful. Get rid of or control unwanted thoughts. If you realized that you made a mistake, admit and forget about it for the moment by giving your best attention in the rest of the duration. Manage your emotion. You do not need to be angry or scared of situation. Maintain your composure by staying calm (take a deep breath). Refocus or stay focus to your task (move your position if you need to do so).

When your decisions are always being contested, use your card to stamp your authority or be more assertive on situations (time-wasting, moving the wall, dissent). Maintain a positive attitude towards the game. Do not be prejudice to situations (simulation or time-wasting) or players (arguing, questioning or protesting) by not assuming situations or the behavior of the players. The moment you make a decision, run straight to your commanding position and not to the incident. This will avoid the players to gather and crowd round or confront you. Try to improve your consistency in your decision by moving nearer to see clearer (wider angle of vision) and decide better.

A thorough self evaluation after the match will not hurt anybody. Be sincere to yourself for the sake of your improvement and development. Elite referees who improve themselves match after match will instill on the peers to follow and to adapt incremental improvement.

Self-talking or self-analysis even during the game may be useful as there is no way others can communicate with you if you are not equip with the communication system.

Good luck.

Mental Preparation for a Game

Excellent referees makes the difference from other peer by doing mental preparation besides the normal preparation of physical fitness, sound interpretation of the Laws of the Game, good man management, good management of critical situations or reading of the game.

How do we prepare for a game? There should not be any change in the physical preparation in training at your usual or normal level. No need to change your pattern of relaxation and training as both are equally important. Prepare yourself mentally for anything that might happen by doing visualization training. Do not try to change your refereeing technique. Be yourself. Perhaps you can look into the aspects highlighted by your peers or referee assessor for improvement. Work on the areas of development will make the difference.

Mental rehearsal (visualization) everyday by seeing yourself refereeing in an ideal stat without the 'pressure of the game'.

When you are feeling anxious or nervous, it is alright as you will need an adrenaline flow for the game to put yourself to state of alertness. A complacent state of mind may lead to careless mistakes.

You should have confident and anticipate a good game by enjoying the game, you will be performing well, be in control of situations and ever ready to handle any situations that may arises. Go into to the game with an opened mind, no prejudice, relaxed and tell yourself that you will do your your best to have a good game.

Adapted from:

http://www.sportsofficialsuk.com/resources/general/mentalpreparation.htm