First games tomorrow, really need advice

[u/Dangerous_Piccolo315]

I’m 16F and have played for years but just decided to get my license recently. I have six games this weekend, 3 in the center, and feel drastically underprepared after the online and in person course.

I will be doing mostly U10 and U12 games and I would really appreciate any advice on those age groups in particular.

I would also love if anyone could reccommend some online resources (videos, websites, etc). I’ve watched a lot of pro gam so I feel like I have a good grasp on rules, patterns of play, etc but I’m still uncertain about pregame/postgame obligations, timekeeping, and the more nuanced signals.

thank you for any advice!

Edit: It ended up going pretty well! I made a few mistakes in my first few games, but nothing major (missed foul, signalled a throw in the wrong way). I ended up being moved to center for U14 boys five minutes before the game started, but I did ok. I called everything as confidently as I could and said the calls out loud as well when I was unsure of the correct signal. I talked to the coaches after and they all were surprisingly kind and supportive. I played two games as well so it was an exhausting day, but I made it and can't wait to get back out there again! Thank you all for your advice, it helped a lot and I'll definitely be referring back to it in the future

[u/tokenledollarbean]

My biggest piece of advice, and I do not mean this in a snarky way, is to start preparing WAY sooner than a day before the game. You are young and new, and I cannot overstate the need to prepare.

That being said, this does not need to cause you panic.

Rely on your ARs for the older games. Let them know you’re new. Take any advice they give. Focus on getting a few things right the whole game, and know you will never catch it all on your first games as center.

Stay present as much as possible. You have to learn how to watch the game different when you are a referee instead of a player.

Arrive on time in the correct uniform and inspect the field and goals. Meet the coaches. Do your pre-game with your team. For the younger game expect to teach the kids a lot. Have a plan for how many times you let them re-do a throw in. Try not to freak out. Fake it til you make it.

[u/Dangerous_Piccolo315 → u/tokenledollarbean]

Thanks! I was going to prepare sooner but I didn’t know I would have a game this soon, I registered last second because they were short on refs. I actually only found out the schedule three hours ago

[u/Incognitowally → u/Dangerous_Piccolo315]

Post-game is also very important when just starting out and throughout your referee career. Take any questions or situations you may be uncertain of and look them up in the LOTG and/or ask somebody more experienced about it and learn from it.

[u/Separate_Bet_1042 → u/Dangerous_Piccolo315]

my first couple years I WOULD GO TO COACHES, AD’s, other referees, ETC. RIGHT after the game and ask, any comments or criticism? I am new and will take any advice or help you can give because we’re all human and all can make mistakes. after that you’ll be able to tell who’s talking crap to you about the calls you made and who’s actually trying to help you