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

Injuries in Refereeing

Basically, there are two types of injuries: acute injuries and overuse injuries. acute injuries often occur as a result of an accident, a hard knock, a bad tackle, fractures, sprains, dislocations or muscle strain. Overuse injuries are more common among referees and are more subtle and usually occur over time. They are the result of micro trauma (small injuries)to the tendons, bones and joints. Common overuse injuries among referees are Achilles tendinitis, shin splints, plantar faciitis, tennis elbow, runner knee or jumper's knee.

How does overuse injuries occur?

Too much work in a short period will leads to tension. If you are trying to improve your fitness in a short time, it will result in overuse injuries. The human body normally will be able to adapt to most of the physical stresses. In fact, improvement in performance is due to this phenomenon where the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments become stronger through exercises and activity. This is termed as the remodeling process of the body where there is the breakdown and the build up of tissues. If the the build up occurs efficiently than the breakdown then the enhancement of physical level occurs but if the break down occurs more rapidly than the build up, injury occurs.

What causes overuse injuries?

Methods of training is important and training errors are the most common cause of overuse injuries. In training, sudden increase or rapid increase in workload or intensity (speed, distance, repetition) of the activity will result in injury. Over-training or over-loading without proper rest. Too many matches in a day or a week will create fatigue in the muscles and thus result in the micro trauma of the tissues. Overuse injury also happen in people who return after injury and try to do to much in a short span of time. Other factors resulting in overuse injuries may be training surface, shoes, equipments or individual biological factors.

Ways to avoid overuse injuries.

Gradual running in or build up into physical activities is very important. Have consistent training schedule, gradual acceleration in intensity or work outs, wear proper shoes for suitable surface or activities and "listen to your body" do not over-work your body.

Treatment.

Treatment depends on individual and also the injury. Reducing the intensity (work load), duration or frequency of the activities may reduce the pressure or brings relief to the affected part. Adopt a hard/easy schedule (alternating hard workout with easier ones) to maintain overall fitness while the injured part recovering. Work with a trainer. Special attention to proper warm up before the activity and using ice after activity may relief the affected part. Aspirin to be taken only on doctor's advice.

You can prevent overuse injuries with proper training method and schedule. Use your common sense too. Listen to your body. "No pain, no gain" does not apply here. Gradual increase in intensity. Have enough time for your training schedule (do not do too much in too little a time). Take a break when you body gives you message that you need a rest.

Adopted from "Get back in the Game" http://www.elite-sports-med.com/overuse.htm

Registration of Referee 2011

FAM has open its registration for football and FUTSAL referees for the year 2011.
The forms can taken from the Referees Department and return on or before 10 February 2011.

Regulation need to be followed:
1. Referees will only be registered after they had fulfilled the requirement:
- passed medical test, FIFA physical test, theory est and attend Seminar.

2. Only registered referees will be given equipments as approved by the Referees Committee for the year.

3. All FIFA Referees and Assistant Referees may not be registered as FUTSAL Referees and shall not referee any FUTSAL matches.

4. Island referees can request for registration via e-mail (amir@famaldives.com) or download the forms from Madivessoccer.com.

5. Testing in islands will be carried after April and the island concern will be informed.

6. Course for Football and FUTSAL referees will held in Male every year to increase the number of referees. Islands who are interested to have course can apply to the Football Association of Maldives.

7. No other association or individual body has the authority to run any course or certified the course other than FAM.

8. FAM as the sole controlling body for football and FUTSAL activities has the sole authority to sanction any competitions or appoint the referees. No other association or body has the right to do so.

9. Island who uses referees that are not appointed by FAM will not be given any attention or assistance.

10. All matters concerning refereeing, courses, competitions or related matted on football should be referred to the Football Association of Maldives.

11. Seminar for FUTSAL Referees - 27 February - 4 March 2011

12. Seminar for Football Referees - 20 - 25 March 2011.-

FAM Football Seminar

January 17, 2011 - Football Association of Maldives had its Seminar on Football at the Youth Centre in Male'. Members from clubs, media, referees, coaches and sports personnel were invited to give their their view towards enhancing the Dhiraagu Dhivehi League 2011.

In the development of football in Maldives, there are the basic elements that influence its performance, the players, match officials, team officials, Club's owners, organizers (FAM), supporters, sponsors, media and Ministry of Youth and Sports.

All these elements have their own strengths and weaknesses, which will affect or have effects on the other elements. Performance of the players and their professional attitude towards each match is their responsibility to ensure that their fans or supporters are always being entertained and contented. This will then enhance the gate collection which is the additional financial source. Professional approach in handling the team by team officials ensure team work and joint performance and results. Reaction of team officials to decisions of match officials may calm or incite the players and also the supporters. When players lose their concentration, it will result in mistake, aggression, injury, card or sent off and receiving goal. Excellent strategy and flow of the attack and defense by players will enhance the movement of the referees and thus improve his refereeing standards. High quality play with full commitment to produce good entertainment will bring the crowd to the stadium. Incited supporters will bring about aggression and unruly reactions. Sponsors will get their extra mileage through crowd and also good media coverage. Good quality media coverage will also raise the standards of the matches to receive AFC of FIFA recognition to put the video clips into their weekly show (e.g. Football Asia).

More often, we tend to see negative reaction from the elements. If every elements involved keep finding the fault and error the others or trying to shift their own weaknesses to others, there will not be a solution to improve the quality of football in the playing, organizing, selling, sponsoring and producing quality players for the country. All these elements should compliment or supplement each other in order to create a bonding towards bringing Dhivehi football to the eyes of the world. The organizer (FAM) with the assistance and support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports can make wonders in Maldives if they work closely, with each enhancing each other. There may be differences in the color of the flag but there are a lot of similarities. We pray to the same God (Allah), the same direction (Kiblat), speak the same language (Dhivehi) and eat the same food (roshi, garudhia). Football is a public entity and thus needs to be given a special attention and support. This will definitely bring the level of Dhivehi football to the highest standard so that one day, Maldives will stand the same height as other football giant in the world.

Ali Azim - AFC Executive Committee Member

Ali Azim, President of Football Association of Maldives has been elected as one of the Executive Committee Member (2011 -2015) in the 24th AFC Congress held in Doha, Qatar on the 6th of January 2011.
Commenting to reporters, Ali Azim admitted that the post is not a privilege but a huge responsibility.

More details
http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-congress-news/32056-afc-president-welcomes-new-look-exco

Regulations on the Organisation of Refereeing

FIFA has sent to all Member Associations (MA) a book on regulation in the organizing of refereeing. For the knowledge of all the following will be of interest to you:

Referees Committee - MA must have a Referee Committee (Ref Com.) and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman must be a member of the Association Executive Committee. Its duties includes to classify and appoint the referee for matches, nominate candidate for International list, comply with FIFA standards in the implementation of Laws, utilize uniform criteria in assessment, and to appoint instructors and assessors.

Referees Department should be composed of at least one expert with broad experience in the field of refereeing, administration and development of referees. Duties include assist the Ref. Com., implement decisions, logistics and administrative duties, implement development programs, organize courses, prepare teaching materials and to send report.

Registration of referees should be carried out annually and the minimum requirement includes passing the relevant FIFA physical fitness test, medical examination and theory test.

Appointment of Referees by the Referees Committee with the Referees Department. Referees appointed correspond to their level of skill and experience. They must be chosen from those who have passed the physical fitness, medical and technical knowledge test. They shall be appointed in good time before the match.

Promotion and demotion of referees must be approved by the Referees Committee.

Evaluation of Referees Performances by the Referees Assessor panel.

FIFA International Match Officials shall be nominated by MA. Proposed referees shall be at least 25 years old and below 45 on 1 January. Candidates may not be older than 38 in the year of nomination unless previously appeared in the list. Proposed referees shall have officiated in the highest level league, passed the FIFA physical fitness and medical test. The referees may not exercise any official function as a member of an executive committee, general secretary, or member of the referees committee of any football club, MA, confederation of FIFA.

Member Association may request to FIFA Referees Committee in writing to suspend or remove a referee from lists for any justifiable reason.