Angle of view

We often talk about how important angle is. In this video below, the referee makes what appears to be a correct PK decision. But notice how his view of the incident was blocked by a player. What if there was an embellishment by the attacker? What if there was more than just a trip to escalate the contact to be reckless? Just because you made a correct decision does not mean your positioning was correct. If you did not have a clear view of the challenge, your correct decision can easily be considered a luck.

Keep adjusting your positioning. Keep your feet moving.

Escape route

Have you ever been hit with the ball? Have you gotten in the way of players and heard any complaints from them? Oftentimes we know just a second or two in advance when we are about to be hit with the ball or when we are about to get in the way. But we still get hit or get in the way. Why is that?

Sometimes it is because we just try to backpedal to escape. But in many cases, the best escape route is go toward the ball. It may sound counterintuitive. But if the ball is coming toward you, go toward the ball. Within a second, you have gone past the ball and all you have to do is make a 180-degree turn. Now you have given space to players. You are close enough to the play but not too close. 

Watch the video below. The referee gets very close to the ball. But it was avoidable if he had realized that the best escape route was in front of him, not behind him.

Awareness

Our job is not done after we call a foul. Yes, it is true that we talk a lot about foul recognition. But even after we call a foul, a lot can happen. Sometimes, what happens after a foul is more match critical than the foul. So keep your focus. Don't let your guard down.

Below, you will see a referee making a correct pushing foul decision. But his focus remained near the foul location. He was not paying attention to the ball or other players.

 

Teamwork

How often have you heard that teamwork and eye contact were important? Eye contact allows the whole referee crew to be on the same page.

In the video below, a seemingly easy goal kick or corner kick decision is being made. The ball gets crossed from the AR side an goes out on the referee side. Two players, one from each team, challenges for the ball, making it unclear for the AR who touched the ball last. The referee takes initiative and signals. But just in case his AR has different information, he briefly looks at his AR. 

This is all you need. A quick look at your AR will help you make sure that your AR is following your signal or your AR has the same information with you. Otherwise what would happen if your AR has information you did not know about? It can easily lead to two people signaling for two different restarts.