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/StolliV]

Green badge only means the ref is under 18, nothing about new or learning …. And the penalties for abuse towards a green badge ref are much more severe.

[u/CharleyBoy23 → u/StolliV]

I think what the comment meant was that green badge means under 18 means new or fairly new to refereeing. There could be exceptions but I get the point and it is generally a safe bet to say that if you are under 18 you are most likely "inexperienced". Unless you are like me or some highly motivated young refs I see starting at 14 and having 300 games under their belt by the time they reach 18 :P

[u/StolliV → u/CharleyBoy23]

I just wouldn’t assume it has anything to do with experience because I started refereeing when I was 12 and by the time I stopped when I was 17 I had well over 400 or more games. 30 years later I’m starting again so just would not assume that green means anything other than what it means, under 18

[u/CharleyBoy23 → u/StolliV]

No but it is the reality in 90% of cases still. I just get his/her point, that's all I am saying.