Ref's Assessors

[bomaya]

I know it's a cliche but why is it on the RARE occasions I see a bad officiating performance, it's at a game where a referee's assessor is there? Scract that, I know WHY - they feel under pressure and act over-zealously or panic and make mistakes.

 

Yesterday was a good example at my game where a lineman flagged furiously for what looked a fairly innocuous challenge. The player had already been booked and so apparently this required a second yellow card. All of this happened with the assessor standing directly BEHIND the linesman. I can't imagine it's very easy to do any job with someone standing right behind you and writing things down.

 

So why aren't assessors secret? I'm sure they used to be. But now they speak to the refs before the game, are entirely visible during the game etc. If a lot of other jobs, it's seen to be better if you don't know you are being tested - mystery shoppers etc.

 

I'd be interested in the thoughts of our refereeing community in particular.

[Smudge]

Think all our Refereeing fraternity are on Holiday.Interesting post by Lazarus on the Ashford Town (middx) forum regarding the Ref at their game.

[Krooner]

Bommie I think what you say is a myth I honestly do.

 

Games on the CCL Prem are assessed to the level of 50% so at least every other game has an assessor at it. I think it is just another excuse used. Oh he only did that cos the assessor was there.

 

Actually the games I see when an asssessor is there is the laws of the game being properly adminstered and when a player gets carded for kicking the ball away they invariably tell the referee that they only did that cos of an assessor. Or perhaps it is because it is in the laws of the game ?

[Picto Cotts]

If clubs could be relied upon to mark fairly would there be a need for assessors?

[Big J R]

If clubs could be relied upon to mark fairly would there be a need for assessors?

 

YES !

[Picto Cotts]

Care to elaborate BJR?

[E&E Rich]

Because they are more neutral than club officials I would have thought is the obvious answer.

 

And Krooner, I know you defend the current practice here and yes someone should be carded if they kick the ball away, but many times when an assessor is not present, it doesn't happen.

 

As far as I am concerned referees are assessed by everyone in the ground, but the only ones who really matter to those officials are the assessors. I would like to see a season where the assessments are kept secret instead.

 

I know a couple of minor issues are raised in a pre-match briefing like what instructions are given out to the assistants, as this has been presented as a reason in the past for having them announce themselves first, but I don't personally think it's a good enough reason as these questions can always be asked after a game in a post match briefing, which would surely be a better time to have a meeting with an assessor.

 

I would like to say that I haven't seen a poor refereeing performance yet this season in our four games. I haven't seen an assessor either but that could of course be just a co-incidence....

[Mewcenary]

I know a couple of minor issues are raised in a pre-match briefing like what instructions are given out to the assistants, as this has been presented as a reason in the past for having them announce themselves first, but I don't personally think it's a good enough reason as these questions can always be asked after a game in a post match briefing, which would surely be a better time to have a meeting with an assessor.

 

Another reason that assessors need to hear the pre-match instructions that the Referee gives his Assistants is that they are relevant to how they work together as a team. The two assistants will also receive assessments.

 

Some examples: Where does the referee want the Assistant to flag for fouls? What about penalty decisions? Should the Assistant concentrate on watching hands or feet for throw-ins? If the referee is injured, who takes over? Who should be writing what down and when?

[Smudge]

Getting the gist of this Refereeing game now,there a certain areas that confuse me though.If an Assistant sees a foul surely he should flag for it,likewise a foul that constitutes a Penalty should be flagged for by the Assistant.A more worrying trend I have seen of late,is when an Assistant waits for a Referee to point the direction of a throw in,they then follow suit,many times wrong and they know it.Would this be on the Referees instructions pre match so as not to make him/them look like they do not have a scooby do.Thought Assistants were there to help,but if denied that opportunity,it cannot be called a TEAM.

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

throw ins can be harder than you think,all about angles.

 

 

lino not sure , ref knows lino unsure because no flag and a fukdifino look, points so lino flags accordingly.

 

usually with both sides and benches claiming it.

 

assessor at ash saturday, ref had good game imo with his asisstants, we had two water breaks, and rows about kicking ball away, shouts about consistency.

 

its one thing for a striker to shoot when a whistle is blown and another for a defender to hoof it to regroup.

 

also refs are a bit better when youre four nil up than when youre four nil down.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Referee's are usually damned if they do and damned if they don't.

 

I wonder if we will have Robot Referees one day?

[Mewcenary]

Getting the gist of this Refereeing game now,there a certain areas that confuse me though.If an Assistant sees a foul surely he should flag for it,likewise a foul that constitutes a Penalty should be flagged for by the Assistant.A more worrying trend I have seen of late,is when an Assistant waits for a Referee to point the direction of a throw in,they then follow suit,many times wrong and they know it.Would this be on the Referees instructions pre match so as not to make him/them look like they do not have a scooby do.Thought Assistants were there to help,but if denied that opportunity,it cannot be called a TEAM.

 

The Assistant is there to ASSIST, not INSIST, is a common mantra.

 

An Assistant might consider a challenge to be a foul... but be thirty yards away. The referee might be right on top of it with a much better view. Who has the best credibility to give the decision?

 

Throw-ins: Instructions vary, but typically the AR will have 'first bite' in his/her third of thep itch. The referee will have the same in their third. In the middle is where eye-contact and little indications particularly come into play! Of course, at any point, the Referee can overrule (such as if they have seen a little nick of the ball right in front of them). As with anything, they have the final decision. What is to be avoided is 'cross flagging', where the referee points one way and the AR points the opposite way: Looks very messy.

[Big J R]

This thread is certainly throwing up some good points.

 

As far as I'm concerned, last season I was at most games at Meadowbank, for both Dorking and Bookham home games, and so I got to know most of the assessors.

 

Genereally, 99.9 % a great bunch.

 

It isn't in the Clubs re-mit to treat them as an official, but I ALWAYS chatted to them on their arrival, and made sure they got something to eat/drink.

 

I only had an issue with ONE who was at The Bank twice.

 

Arrogant, aloof and non-communicative.

 

He didn't get an offer of refereshments on his second visit. Politeness costs - NOTHING !

Edited August 20, 2012 by Big J R

[Lee Farmie]

In my opinion they should change their job title from Referees Assessor to Referees Coach which is all part and parccel of what they do and less likely to make the referees feel the pressure.

[Big J R]

Anyone come across a Referee's MENTOR yet ?

[Mewcenary]

Yes ;-)

[Big J R]

Yes ;-)

 

BL, perchance ?

[Mewcenary]

BL, perchance ?

 

No... (this game could go on for a while!)

[Big J R]

BL, perchance ?

 

No... (this game could go on for a while!)

 

I only know one, initials BL. There can't be that many, surely ?

[Smudge]

Met many a mentor at a game,and a good job they do as well.Mainly they look after the young Officials in their formative days.Mewey probably has one now.