Match Control Strategies

By Chris HopeL3 Referee

What is Match Control?

• When does match control start?• Who does it cover (Clubs, assistants,

assessor?)• If our match control is good, what

happens?• If our match control is poor, what can

happen?

Pre Game

• Research – teams, players, tactics, knowing your team (assistant referees and assessor).

• Good mental and physical preparation• Problem players?• Difficult managers?• Being pro active – what can we do?• Team sheets, meeting the secretary

Who does Match Control cover?

• Players• Management• Secretary• Other club officials• Club assistant referees – important to get on

side. Can cause major problems. How will you manage them? Instructions?

Scenario

• You are refereeing the Lancashire Cup final between Team A and Team B. In the days prior to the game, what, if any strategies do you think could be beneficial in aiding your match control during the game? Discuss. Why?

During the Game• Pro active approach with players, quiet words

off the ball etc• Cards – do they aid match control? Should

they be used as a tool to control the game?• Stepped approach to player management

Stoppage Management

• Prevention of fouls and corner/FK• Team tactics – they will notice where you

stand – change your position• Wall management – setting wall on the 18

yard box.

Stepped Approach

• Quiet word• Free-kick with quiet word.• Free-kick with public admonishment• Yellow card• Red card

Use of Captain

• The Captain who wants to query every decision.

• The Captain who will not support you when you have to speak to one of his players.

• The Captain who is a problem player himself.

Use of Captain

• The captain is not always the most influential player. You can pick this up in the warm up/before the game.

• Respect program – use of the captain.• Assessor competencies – use of the captain

Dissent

• Dissent can seriously affect match control.• Once one player starts, it can be infectious.

Other players will follow.• Dissent is often subtle, and can undermine our

authority.

Dissent

• What can we do about dissent????• Stamp it out early• Deal with it. Not always a need to caution• Be aware of expectations with dissent

sometimes being a ‘surprise yellow’• Stepped approach????????• Personal, public or persistent. YC

Communication

• How much of communication is verbal?

Body Language

• How can body language aid match control?• Strong• Confident• Calm• There are times when a different approach is

needed!

Body Language

Body Language

Body Language

Body Language

Body Language

• You need to be a good communicator, not just of decisions made but equally important have the ability to get your message across to players, managers and spectators. Referees are required to remain calm, controlled and develop high concentration levels to be successful. — Ian Blanchard(2008)

Body Language

• Staying calm and focused is one of the golden rules of refereeing. – Pierluigi Collina

Other Strategies?

• Share some strategies in groups and feedback

Club Marks

• Club marks are massively affected by your match control.

• How often do you hear ‘we didn’t see the ref today he must have done ok’

• Think about the people who mark you. Who are they?

Match Control

• Match control is individual• L4 referees – Supply League is event

management. Every game ARs’, often an assessor etc.

Match Control

• All referees are different• Match control is not black

and white, there are a number of tools which can be used• Be firm, confident and

strong with your decisions.• Any questions?