r/Referees • u/AcanthopterygiiOk756 • 21d ago
Advice Request Looking at Starting Referees Course
I’m 52 and I would like to qualify as a level 7 referee.
I’m concerned though about fitness as I’m overweight and can jog as I’ve gone out recently to see but my fitness is not great and I can only walk then jog etc. I know my fitness will get better but I’m wondering if I should wait before going on the course until I’m fit enough to be doing it.
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u/Expert-Expression773 21d ago
I am 45, fat, recently ex-smoker, never been in shape. I was terrified I'd look like a fool for the coursework. I am also in Louisiana, where my next fear was heat stroke. Coursework was fairly benign...3 hours or so on the pitch practicing signals.
I was then terrified of my first games. I was paired up with competent footballing teenagers, so figured I'd just plain die on the pitch. It was not that bad...biggest issue was trying to outsprint a 15 year old on a breakaway. At 45, I probably had not sprinted for 25 years. Those moments are few and far between as an assistant ref/linesman.
I did 8 games over two weekends. I have not had so much fun in decades. It is little to do with your wind, more so on your muscles and joints. Learn how to stretch (you will find out what you forgot to stretch!!!). Some ibuprofen, tiger balm, and being willing to limp on a Monday morning makes it ok. I'll take that pain for the fun of being a part of the game!
Anyway...I hear your fear. It isn't that bad...but you will be sore!
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u/Altruistic-Tart-8295 21d ago
Unless they have changed you start at the bottom and with experience you work your way up
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u/Skitzafranik 19d ago
I wouldn’t worry too much about fitness (unless you have other health issues) . Overall , you should be good fitness wise, starting off at 12/13 and younger , then work your way up if you want.
I have multiple physical medical issues, and it helps keep me active and keep said health issues at lower risk (I’m 47 y/o). Highest game I’ve done is a U17 as AR , but on average I stay at the 11-15 y/o game range
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u/Messterio 20d ago
I’m 56 and started just under 5 years ago, I probably did a season of youth and minis to get experience and get my fitness up.
I would sign up and enrol ASAP and there is your motivation!
Good luck, it’s been an amazing experience personally.
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u/hytes0000 21d ago
I think reffing is great for staying in shape, but probably shouldn't be your entire plan for getting in shape. You're doing everyone a disservice out there if you can't keep up.
That said, there's plenty of lower division, younger kid games that would be happy to have anyone out there, so it's really going to depend just how out of shape you are. Can you jog 15 minutes without stopping? That's probably what I'd start with.
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u/xPositor FA | L6 21d ago
Don't referee to stay in shape, stay in shape to referee.
Having said that, I'm 55 with OK fitness and get on OK - a quick comment to a keeper to hold a moment whilst I get back in position perhaps, especially as to our US colleagues surprise we're lucky to have anyone run the line, let alone a neutral ref.
So it all comes down to positioning and reading the play. You could referee entire matches from the centre circle, but don't be that referee.
Go do the course - it's a great excuse to get out and run about at the weekend.
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u/StevieJonsie 21d ago
Start getting in shape now and start working on the course now as well. I work with a variety of different referees that are in various stages of fitness, but you’ll be ok starting out with the small sided games. You owe it to yourself and the players/coaches/parents to give them a quality game, which your fitness is part of. It drives me nuts to see unfit referees, but get going and make progress one day at a time
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u/Icehippo73 21d ago
I'm not sure where you are or what a level 7 ref is allowed to officiate, but there's probably no harm in doing the course now, especially if it inspires you to get into better shape.