Business Development, Social Selling, Online Video, Football Ref
Tag: soccer
The away coach seemed decent and polite at the pre-match introduction. We had a short conversation about their previous match and I noticed in my records they needed the points today in order to avoid relegation from the high U19 group. Continue reading “Refusing to leave – Rodric Leerling”
Last weekend I was assigned a rookie ref with an experienced radiation. But with this kind of confidence, you can also go too far or make wrong judgments. Continue reading “Don’t mess with my assistant – Rodric Leerling”
Football refereeing brings together people of different backgrounds and personalities. We all share a similar passion which creates a bond. One of our friends has gone last week. A farewell. Continue reading “On the death of a fellow referee – Rodric Leerling”
This morning, I made the long awaited call to the Dutch FA. After numerous sessions with various medical specialists, I can resume reffing after more than a year absence. Continue reading “Green light to resume refereeing – Rodric Leerling”
It apparently is known as the ‘referee’s ear’. I never heard of it before (…) but ever since I have this ringing noise in my head, I started to connect the dots. Continue reading “Check your whistle ref! – Rodric Leerling”
The rookie ref this weekend wasn’t that young. In fact, he told me he had been serving several football clubs as club referee and now wanted to join the Dutch FA. He needed more challenge and variation in this assigned games. Continue reading “Rookie Refs Can Be Lazy – Rodric Leerling”
It’s been a full month since I wrote my last blog. I really surprised myself. As if I had nothing to share. The opposite is true.
To my shagrin, I had to cancel all play-off games and football tournaments I wanted to help referee. Not just for the extra cash, but mostly for the comradery among colleague refs. Nothing this year. My knee didn’t allow me to do anything. It blew up suddenly and filled up with moisture. hindering me from any sort of exercise.
The doctor tried several roads to get the knee back in shape so he could examine it carefully. He at first thought it was jout, especially after my complaint of severe pain during the night. Then, after first swallowing the wrong meds and by accident ending the others too soon, I finally had my knee back in shape and pain-free after five weeks. Then, while laying on his treatment table, after twisting it left and right, we both heard the crack-crack sound. Maybe a jout combined with a meniscus break-off?
So, today it was X-ray time at the local hospital. Two pictures that should tell if there is indeed cartilage floating around, making the tissue around it swell as result of inflammation. And if it’s there, how can it be taken out?
Is this the result of forcing my knee to perform to the max? It would be extra dire with my recent promotions in the pocket for both futsal (indoor) and field football. We will know by Wednesday. Still time to get in shape for a new football season. I’m still hopeful and optimistic, as always.
This weekend, the 2nd part of the football youth competition is supposed to start in the Netherlands. Since this week though, half of the nation is covered in snow and temps expected to stay below zero degrees Celsius. That part of Holland won’t play any football, that’s for sure.
But in my part, the western half, it’s frosty and snowy as well, but not all games have been cancelled yet. On the roster for tomorrow is a another new ref to accompany. It’s been a great experience ever since I finished the ref mentoring course. All the negative associations of a ref assessor don’t apply as I’m allowed to meet the ref before and afterwards. One is allowed to discuss his performance, hint on things during half time and I have even started sending video clips afterwards, showing the rookie ref what I meant in my written report.
Last week, I accompanied a relative experienced new ref – he already started five years ago – who needed a last push towards promotion. Somehow he had been neglected (his words) by the Football Assoc. I thought he did pretty well but should work on his condition and try to avoid long talks with players and coaches. I actually shot a video clip of how he took a player apart towards the end of the game, who should have been booked with a yellow card. Instead, he took him apart and said something (no gestures) and walked back slowly to the free kick spot, where the fouled team was waiting for the restart. Who’s time was being wasted here?
He was very grateful, not only for the positive report, but more so for the practical tips and, of course a novelty, receiving actual video proof of his performance and items to work on. I hope more mentors will start using their phones, not only to record your thoughts, but also to shoot quick clips.
The rookie ref asigned to me as his coach had a slow start. Due to heavy traffic he arrived late. Slightly nervous he started the game admin, not after first dropping his bag in his locker room. Gone for 5 minutes.
He checked the player passes on the computer and we walked to his locker room. Agreed to meet again to inspect the pitch and do his warming-up. He knew the team jerseys so would go in black.I waited for 20 minutes but no ref. 5 mins for game kick-off he showed up. Done his warming up elsewhere as his pitch was still occupied. Missed that part of his game preps. Got a little grumpy and the game hadn’t started yet.
He did the player pass check before the game and both teams entered the pitch. Suddenly, he was gone again, leaving players and coaches looking around trying to find their ref. Including myself. Turned out he had to change his ref jersey as one of the goalkepers appeared in black and not red as was agreed. Another 5 minutes lost.
Luckily he compensated his slow start with good game management. I could tick most of boxes and could give high scores. Only the typical last 10 minutes proved to be hard. He had just issued a yellow for tripping and few minutes later the same player he thought told him off, resulting in 2nd yellow and red, exit. I didn’t hear it and both coaches immediately tried to correct rhe ref telling him it wasn’t directed to him but another player, but he insisted.
I think it was over-concentration and hyper sensitivity towards the end. We walked back to his locker room and briefly talked about the incident. I suggested to take a shower and reflect on the last minutes of the game. Bad idea! It took him 40 minutes to return, leaving both coaches and me waiting for the admin to be handled. And he hadn’t changed his mind! My prime advice to the rookie ref: a little more pace before and after the game. Sustain your current game management and you might in fact become a pretty good ref.
It’s not quite their habit to introduce themselves. As ref you tend to recognize them though, walking around your pitch with a notebook. Making notes when you made a call, take a free-kick position or other things happening during the match.
This time, however, the assessor made himself known. While I was doing my warming-up he came to me for a chat. About the weather, my game expectations etc. and wishing me a good game. But he did gave me a stern look when I walked off the pitch, looking at my socks pulled down due the warm weather.
And then on top of that the game didn’t start as I wanted it, and normally agree with both teams: 5mins before the game I will collect you at the lockers. The away team told me they would stay on the pitch after the warming-up as it was too far to walk back. Ok, fine with me. But the home team had to change their jerseys and made the walk back just when I headed for the pitch. No brownie points for starting on time, that’s for sure.
The game was pretty fair and ended in a 1-1 draw. I only had to issue 3 yellow cards, all for shirt pulling after giving several verbal warnings. And then the assessor was there again. I made a complaint about the stupid late start and he said he would have to make a point about it in the report. But, overall, it was a very good game. He had to agree with all my decisions and thought I had full control and was clearly at ease. Which I was. No mentioning about the socks.
We will have to see the official assessor report first, but one thing I know for sure: I didn’t perform differently because of the assessor. I might keep my socks up during warming up, though. With Ref Report nr.1 in the pocket it’s a better start than last year, for sure.
Rodric Leerling - Sales Power Provider 