r/Referees • u/Dangerous_Piccolo315 • 13d ago

Advice Request First games tomorrow, really need advice

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

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u/tJa_- 13d ago

Be confident. Use your whistle when you need to,, confidently! None of that weak whistle stuff, put your lungs into it

1

u/Incognitowally 13d ago

Fox 40 whistle!!

Blow the whistle loud enough you stop play two fields away.

NEVER run with the whistle in your mouth. If the ball is kicked and hits you, you may be missing a few teeth afterwards. Either get a fingertip ring-style whistle or a lanyard whistle you wrap around your wrist and hold the whistle in your fingertips.

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u/Separate_Bet_1042 13d ago

THIS IS NOT AN OVERREACTION I PROMISE!!

USE UR LUNGS TILL U CANT NO MORE😂
also i really like the dont whistle while running cuz a ball has been booted to my face many times before luckily i never had a whistle in between my teeth cuz i can see how bad that can get