RefeReeing offenCeS - The Football Association

FOREWORD
FEATURE
REFEREES
REFEREES
managing expectations is very important
REFEREEING AT THE FA
FITNESS & TRAINING
FEATURE
REFEREEING AT THE FA
THE REFEREES
ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND
Level 3 Referee Coach
Andy Martin
THE REFEREES
ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND
I
am one of The FA’s ten Level 3 Referee
Coaches. I have twelve referees in
my coaching group and, like my fellow
coaches, some are in their first season
as a Level 3 referee.
My major role is to help these new Level 3
referees settle into refereeing football at this
level but I also have to decide at the end of the
season which ones I think The FA should keep
in the coaching scheme. Apart from the new
Level 3 referees, I also have some who have
shown in recent seasons that they have the
potential to progress. My role is to motivate
them and refine their skills.
Overall, whether a referee is a new Level 3
or someone with more experience, my
responsibility is to monitor their performance
levels and challenge each referee within my
coaching group to work towards achieving
an optimum performance level.
I work with my referees in a number of ways.
We have several group meetings which include
discussion sessions and also give me the
opportunity for a one-to-one, face-to-face
review with each of them. Most of my work,
however, is on an individual basis by phone,
e-mail or watching games.
Every Friday I email all the referees in my
coaching group to give them a particular topic
which has been raised in assessments, in
The RA/FA magazine or in a recent high profile
incident. I challenge them to think about the
topic but I am not expecting them to go out
and change their style of refereeing. I just want
them to be thinking about it and to be aware
of refereeing issues whether they are national
or specific to themselves.
If I decide to go to a game as referee coach
(which I do most weekends) I let the referee
know and try and help him or her (I have one
female referee in my group) ensure they are
totally focused and prepared. I normally arrive
at the ground at 1.45pm, meet the home and
away Club Secretaries and briefly explain my
role. I will also meet up with the assessor if there
is one. I do not go to the match officials’ dressing
room until after the exchange of team sheets
but I ensure I am there well before the officials’
pre-match warm-up as I do not want to interrupt
or interfere with their preparations. I have
a quick look at the team sheets and discuss any
issues relating to the weather, pitch, team tactics
etc. I then run through a previously agreed short
game plan with the referee and ensure that the
referee and assistants are focused and ready
for the game. I try to inspire confidence in
them all.
REF Facts
Andy Martin
1986 – 2005
Level 3 Referee
1991 - 2005
National List and Select
Group Assistant Referee
1997
FA Vase Final Assistant
Referee
2002
FA Match of Unity in Kabul
Assistant Referee
11 European Appointments
as Assistant Referee
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