The Pre-Game

BEFORE GAME DAY …Pre-game starts when you receive an assignment

ALL Crew Members• Accept the game promptly

• Communicate in advance. AR Initiate contact if necessary!

• E-mail, telephone …– Texting, tweeting, carrier pigeon … not so much

• When?– At least 30 minutes prior to start time.

• Where?– “Meet me in the parking lot of Total Sport Experience.”

What does a crew member know about parking at TSE?

Here is TSE.

Where is “In the parking

lot?”

These areas will be full before you all arrive

But if we’re on this field …

We could probably find parking spots here.

OPTIONS

Even in the pre-pregame, we have ……..

Google MapsWe’re on this field

I can also cut through here

I’m happily driving down Elmgrove Rd.

On balance …

Time spent providing directions Time spent

looking for partners

BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT THIS GAME …

So we got to the field and found each other …

Background InformationWhat do we know about the

Referee or AR?New or experienced official?Experience as ARExperience as referee with ARs Experience at this level

Adjust pre-game accordingly

Referee with “Brand New” ARWhat should you discuss?

Don’t overload1. Concentrate on Position2. Make Offside Decisions3. Ball over boundary linesDon’t worry about foulsDon’t worry about the “fine points” – which

hand the flag is in, how to signal PK, subtle signals, calling for cards

You’re the brand new AR

• Tell the referee• Ask questions• Concentrate on position• You’ll make mistakes – don’t worry!• Get comfortable in new role

AR with “some” experience

• Still stress Position• Offside decisions = #1 priority• Boundary lines in your area/my area

– What if you or I don’t know?• Use proper signals• Fouls …. ?

What will we tell the Experienced AR*?

• Offside?• Boundary lines?• Fouls/Misconduct?• PK?• Match control?• When to enter field?• Mass confrontation?• Bench control?• Information on teams, standings, etc.

*For our purposes, this means "knows and does the job"

Paperwork - Confirm score, cards

Discuss “stuff that happened” – maybe “good” but particularly “bad”

Why did it happen?

What other options do we have?

Being critical is not being “mean.”

Try to learn something at each game

Post-game Conference