Jeff, as a youth referee with limited experience I have been
mentored by a referee who would not hesitate to make false accusations about
managers if they give him a poor match score.
The latest episode has
resulted in a personal hearing for the manager who he has falsely accused.
What do you suggest I do?
Jeff's advice:
I know that this is difficult and that if you come clean then some
colleagues might deem this as an act of betrayal.
However as a ref your most
important feature is your honesty.
There must be someone that you can talk
to and seek advice.
In the short term you may not be very popular with some
but in the long term you will gain respect.
Personally I would be brave and
be ready to face the consequences and see justice be done.
Best Wishes
Jeff
***************************
From: Andy, 4th February 2008
Hello Jeff
If a substitute runs on to the field of play and denies an opponent an obvious goal scoring opportunity, what would you do? Which one of the following would you say is correct?
A. Caution the sub for denying the goal scoring opportunity
and restart with a drop ball, and no change in the number of players on the
field or subs on bench.
B. Dismiss the sub and start with an indirect free kick at the point of
infraction. There will be no change in the number of players on the field but one less subs to choose from because of the dismissal.
C. Neither. Would you do something else?
Please let me know the correct answer as a bottle of plonk and
a dollar is the bet for who's right.
Thanks
Andy.
Jeff's advice:
Sorry for the delay in replying, I've been topping the tan up again.
My guess is that B is correct, but that is just a guess.
Thankfully these quiz
type questions fortunately did not happen in the Premiership!
***************************
From: Sean Duffy, 28th November 2007
What is the rule/practice for players calling out 'leave it' or 'mine' without specifying their name? Is it unsporting? Thanks.
Jeff's advice
Hi Sean,
If a player does as you suggest he is guilty of misconduct and an indirect free kick should be awarded against him. If a player is shouting for the ball he must clearly make instructions that are obvious to other players, ie. By putting a name on the shout.
Best wishes
Jeff
***************************
From: QuakerPete, 27th September 2007
OK Jeff, can you answer this refeering question:
How come, when a ball is going out for a goal kick, the defender can
just about commit murder in "shielding" the ball; yet an attacker is always
penalised for "backing in" when receiving the ball?
I often get asked this question Pete. If a player has the ball within
playing distance he is quite entitled to shield the ball out of play.
He can be challenged but he is doing nothing wrong. If he backs into an
opponent he
then is guilty of an offence and would be penalised.
Jeff
***************************
From: David Bransby, 16th September 2007
This situation has never happened to me before, what would you
do.............?
Ball goes out of play for a throw to reds. I then notice a red player
injured, who requires treatment. A lemonade bottle of water is duly
applied
on the 'injury' and red player is instructed to leave the field of
play. Player leaves, only to pick up the ball to take the throw in.
(From a throw in, the ball is in play immediately it enters the field
of
play. An injured player can only return to the field of play after the
game
has re-started).
Question.... Can this player take the throw in?
Thanks
David
Jeff's advice
Hi David,
Simple answer to this one I think. No he cannot take the throw in. He
can
only return upon the referees signal after the game has restarted. It
hasn't
restarted till after the ball is in play and it is not in play when he
takes
the throw.
Best wishes
Jeff
***************************
From Stephen Thompson, 4th September 2007
Hallo Jeff,
Darlo fan here. Keep up the good work on your TFM show.
Just a quick
point
on refereeing. When a long ball is knocked up to a striker and the
striker
attempt to win the header and half way through the jump stops, arches
his
back and the defender ends ups over his back, how can this be a foul
against
the defender?
The defender cant change his jump in mid air. Surely this
is a
free kick against the striker for making no attempt to play the ball
yet so
many times the defender is penalised.
I am a striker by the way so
there is
no favouritism from me.
Cheers,
Ste
Jeff's advice
Hi Ste,
You are right here mate, but it is sometimes difficult to tell if the
defender has jumped at the striker or as you describe the striker has
made a
back for him. Crowd reaction usually does not understand when the
attacker
is penalized. It is about the referee being in the right position to
assess,
that is sometimes the problem, as on a punt upfield he is chasing play
and
not level with the incident. That's when assistants should offer help.
Glad that you enjoy the shows.
Best Wishes,
Jeff
***************************
From Adam Swinney, 24th August 2007
Hi Jeff. I am a 16 year old referee and came under lots of
pressure
last season. I sent one manager away for shouting abusive language at me
etc. I
hate the personal hearing because you never find out the result from my
local FA which I think is appalling as if you have sent him away you
should
at least find out the results. Do you agree?
Regards,
Adam Swinney
Jeff's advice
I know what you mean Adam; personal hearings are a little bit daunting.
If
you read the chapter in my book on my case with Sir Alex, you will know
what
I mean.
With regard to the result of a personal hearing, I would not worry. You
have
done your job on the day and it is not of any concern to you what
action the
FA takes. You would only be disappointed or relieved or many other
emotions.
As long as you did what you believed to be right on the match day and
conducted yourself professionally at the hearing, it is job done.
Believe me; the politics of football in general and refereeing in
particular
are best ignored.
Enjoy your reffing
Best Wishes
Jeff
***************************
From Robert Timm, 23rd August 2007
Hi Jeff,
Just wanted a little bit of advice if it would be possible, I'm 17
years
old and passed my course last November, and have since officiated in
around
40 games, all youth football but all 11-a-side.
In a few weeks I'm
making
the step up to open age football, and the main thing that worries me is
that
they will see the age of me and immediately think they can all walk
over me.
Do you have any tips in which to stamp my authority on the game that I
would
do differently perhaps to youth football?
I'm physically in the same
shape
as the people who are playing but I think they will notice perhaps an
age
difference and try and use that to their advantage.
Thanks again, and the website is very helpful.
Rob Timm
Jeff's advice
Hi Robert,
With 40 games under your belt you will have picked up plenty of
experience
and hopefully some confidence also.
Your points are well founded though, they will think they can bully
you. You
must show them that you are not intimidated.
You don't want to be too
officious but at the same time you must not be overawed. If they seem
as if
they are becoming aggressive, try being human with them and perhaps use
a
little humour.
Make a joke of your age, "I only took up reffing because my dad shouted
at
me and here I am and it's happening again." "Go easy on me, it could
be
worse you could have Graham Poll today."
Just show them that they cannot
frighten you and I am sure that they will accept you.
Enjoy it and be strong.
Best Wishes
Jeff
***************************
From: Conor Copeland, 17th August 2007
Dear Jeff,
As a young referee looking to make it to the Premiership one
day, I wondering if you could take the time out to give me a bit of
advice on how to possibly achieve this goal.
Many thanks,
Conor
Jeff's advice
To succeed you must be dedicated, keep fit and not let the opinions of
others get you down. Listen to advice from other referees. Many will
have
chips on their shoulders because they did not progress themselves, but
that
in itself is a good way to learn.
Attitude is very important, so be
positive
not negative, persevere and be strong.
Set yourself realistic targets and be single minded in achieving them.
Remember, a referee is not going to win friends but he has to win respect.
Best of luck,
Jeff Winter
***************************
From: Andy Barnes, 16th August 2007
Hello Jeff,
I'm a 16 year old referee in Norfolk. Can you give any
tips on getting to the top. Thanks.
Jeff's advice
Hi Andy,
Be confident but not arrogant, be fit and close to play, be calm when
all
others around you lose their cool and most of all look as if you are
enjoying what you are doing.
