In the world of soccer it has always been said that the players are the protagonists but there is another main actor who is irreplaceable, the referee. The figure of the referee has always been denounced by players and fans but without his presence the games would be meaningless. As judges of this sport, they try to impart justice but, no matter what decision they make, they will always be attacked.
The referee is a fundamental factor in soccer, and an essential member since his or her decisions are right or do not have a great impact on the final outcome of the game. Generally, people feel that referees do not perform their duties properly. Fans, players, coaches, and journalists always question their performance.
We must consider that referees are also human and that they can sometimes make mistakes, just as a striker can miss a goal or a coach can make a wrong decision, but the slightest mistake by a referee will be strongly criticized.
It is necessary to recognize that, in some occasions, it is a not very grateful task, since the players and the public do not always understand the decisions of the collegiate. However, true lovers of sport come to enjoy the profession. Firstly, because it allows them to know the soccer rules in depth; secondly, because they participate directly in the course of the game.
I have never been a soccer referee and I will never want to be one. I think it’s a very ungrateful job, although at certain levels it pays to referee for the money you can get. I am referring, of course, to the referees who referee in leagues such as the Spanish, English or Italian ones.
To get there, just as to become a professional footballer, you have to climb a series of steps that not everyone is able to climb. You have to referee well for many seasons and show that fairness is what moves you. But not only that, but it is fundamental to have a good eye and good legs to follow closely all the plays and not miss anything.
Which qualities must have a good soccer referee?
In the world of soccer people usually ask themselves quite often what attributes a great referee should have, knowledge of the rules, mastering the spirit of the game, correct application of the rules, great physical condition, a lot of personality, self-control in difficult situations?
In short, many questions that make the discussion never end and there are instructors who think one way and others sometimes diametrically opposed. As a result, just like the eternal discussion about whether a footballer is born or grows up, in matters of arbitration there is no agreement on the basis of a great referee.
The reality is that today it is increasingly difficult not only to define the personal and technical qualities of what is the best profile for someone who is dedicated to this controversial profession, but it is even more difficult to find those who truly possess them.
If we see the big European and American leagues where the level of demand in this aspect is very big according to the level of the soccer that is played, we come to the conclusion that it is rare to find those that really stand out for possessing all these conditions that seem indispensable to be able to enter a field of game and to go out moderately successful in front of the criticism.
Besides, nowadays we have to face the inexorable judgment of the repetition in super slow motion in order to show how high is the percentage of error of those who pretend to apply the sport justice within the field.
Apart from everything else, referees also have to face -outside the field- the enormous power of some managers who influence their own leagues in many parts of the world where soccer is highly developed, not only technically, but also economically.
To all this, whoever wants to be a top-level referee will not only have to have more than one of all these characteristics but will also have to know how to overcome the difficulties that exist off the field.
Personality
I believe, without fear of being wrong, that the first thing we should look for in our candidates for future arbitrators – in order to expect them to also become figures within their profession – is that they must possess and develop a great personality. Anyone who wants to be an elite referee must cultivate and improve all of his or her personality traits as an essential requirement for success.
Without personality a referee will not be able to apply the rules properly even if he knows them perfectly, without it, he will not be able to solve the problems he will face when on the field he has to impose himself to the pressure of the Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Sergio Ramos, to cite only some examples, going through the coaches like Mourinho, for example, who from outside are playing “their game”.
If a soccer referee has no personality, the match can easily get out of hand. The players get on your beards and there is nothing to do. You have to impose yourself from the first minute and make clear who is in charge. That doesn’t mean taking cards left and right. A simple look or a couple of convincing words is enough to make the players respect you.
Soccer players always try to trick referees, one of the ways they do it is by foul simulation and being overly dramatic. If you want to understand why players do this and how you can stop I recommend you read my article Why are Soccer Players So Dramatic and Fake Injuries.
Good physique
Of course, nowadays the physical condition similar to that of the player is very important, but this can be acquired with discipline and dedication. To be in all the plays you have to have a good physical condition. Soccer fields are of a considerable size and 90 minutes can be very long, especially if both teams take the initiative equally and there are fast counterattacks on both sides of the field.
For example, In Spain, First Division referees must pass the famous Cooper’s Test, an endurance test that lasts 12 minutes. In order to pass it, it is mandatory to reach the 2,700 kilometers covered.
This is a good thing, since an average referee runs about 19 kilometers per game, 8 more than any other player.
I wrote an article about How to Improve Stamina for Soccer in a month that might be helpful to stay in shape for this sport. At first I made it for the players but it will work just as well for referees.
Forget about the desire to play a leading role
The typical protagonist referee does not get very far in the world of soccer. The protagonists must be the players. When that is not the case, everyone is on the lookout for the referee, who normally loses his temper and does not whistle with the rules in his hand.
There is nothing worse than a protagonist referee. The secret of a good referee is to go unnoticed. If nobody talks about him, it means that he has done his job very well.
Excellent knowledge of the rules
Having a broad knowledge of the rules is the foundation of any good referee. Study each of the rules in depth and in detail. In this way, you will have the knowledge to be able to apply the rules and interpret them on the field when you are under pressure and must decide instantly. In addition, nowadays with the incorporation of technology to soccer, every year there are modifications in the rules, and referees must adapt to them. A referee who does not study and keep up to date will unfortunately not get very far.
Don’t get carried away by emotions
You may prefer one of the two teams to win, but that should not influence your refereeing. A good referee whistles what he sees and nothing else. If you’re a Barça player and you whistle for Barça, you don’t have to help them. The same thing happens if you are from Madrid and you whistle for Madrid.
On the other hand, a bad experience in a stadium or an unpleasant comment from a player should not change you. You should not harm anyone because of something personal. Above all you have to make sensible decisions.
Communicate well
A good referee must communicate well. Being easy card does not make you a highly respected referee. In any case, you will be feared for the way you act, but you will not be preferred for whistling high-voltage matches. To do this, you must show yourself to be dialogizing, but always showing who has the last word.
Be confident
A soccer referee must be confident in his or her decisions, confident, and confident that his or her judgments are correct. A good referee should not hesitate in his decisions, as players, coaches, and the public will all notice, and begin to judge each decision.
I wrote a whole article about How to be More Confident For Soccer here. Most of the articles on this website were created for soccer players, however, referees are also part of this game and these articles will work the same for the judges of this sport.
How to make players respect you?
The fact that the rules of soccer place you as the highest authority figure during a game gives you an extra plus of respect. However, for players to respect you, you must earn that respect through your actions, your knowledge and your attitude. These are the key factors for the players to respect you:
- Players will certainly respect you if they see your enthusiasm and interest.
- If you strive to stay close to every move rather than standing still without running much.
- Working hard and staying in good physical shape.
- A referee who understands that talking to the delegates and captains before the game starts about how he or she would like the game to go, shows his or her good intentions, and thus earns the respect of the players.
- If you understand that there is a possibility that you will make a mistake that your decisions will influence the aspirations, work, enthusiasm, and effort of many people, but you work to decrease the chances of this happening, the players will respect you.
- Being absolutely impartial in each and every decision.
Example of a great referee
Pierluigi Collina
In the mid-nineties an Italian collegiate appeared who became the one who is considered by many as the best referee in history. A referee who knew how to gain the trust of players, coaches and managers, and even though he was also wrong, he knew how to make himself respected to the point of making footballers afraid of him.
Collina always stood out for his good handling of the matches. Moreover, his perfect command of four languages (Italian, English, French and Spanish) helped him to become a referee in international matches. Since 1999 when he was the main referee in the UCL final he was already considered an impeccable referee.
However, the great recognition for the Italian referee would come in the 2002 World Cup where, in a very controversial tournament due to the refereeing scandals, Collina stood out for his great performances and was appointed to lead the final.
Despite the fact that the final between Brazil and Germany was very tense, the Italian knew how to manage the match intelligently, showing the only two yellow cards at the beginning of the game and finishing the game without receiving any protest from the players. At the medal ceremony, the whole stadium gave a standing ovation to the Italian judge, who took the ball that was played in the final as a prize.
What made Pierligui Collina a great referee and be considered the best of all time?
His personality, great interpretation of the rules, and determination made him the most recognized and famous soccer referee in the world. He even made several commercials and was the main character on the cover of an emblematic video game of the time.
He was named best referee in the world for six consecutive years and the International Federation of History and Statistics named him as the best referee in the history of soccer.
Example of a great refereed game
In the history of soccer, there have been incredible performances by referees. A great example of a great refereed game was the 2014 World Cup final between Argentina and Germany. The referee was Nicola Rizzoli, from the beginning of the match there was a lot of tension between the players and from the beginning Rizzoli established his authority and controlled the match without having to be the main character.
At 10 minutes of the second half, the most discussed play of the match would arrive, Gonzalo Higuain and Manuel Nuer had a strong clash at the edge of the area. All the Argentinians claimed it was a penalty, but the referee rightly said it was not a penalty. And in the replays you can see how Nuer gets to the ball first before Higuain. Without a doubt, the referee’s decision on this play was decisive for the result of the match, as the game went into overtime, where Germany won 1-0.
In fact, Nicola Rizzoli said in an interview that when the match was over, both the coaching staff and the players from Argentina and Germany congratulated him, telling him that he had refereed perfectly.
Conclusion
Although it is common for fans, players, coaches and even team officials to discuss every decision the referee makes during the game, the reality is that it is a fundamental part of this beautiful sport.
If your dream is to become a soccer referee, keep in mind that you must study a lot, learn the rules, keep up to date with the changes in the rules, take care of your diet and exercise constantly to be in good physical shape, and above all have confidence in yourself and trust your decisions.
If you are dedicated and strive to do a great job in every game, you will earn the respect of the players and coaches, and with determination you will surely become a great referee.