Finals are here - Feeling the Stress?

Here's some screen captures from this mornings U/20 Womens World Cup 3rd place match, officiated by  Sachiko Yamagishi (Referee, Japan) Allyson Flynn (AR1, Australia), Sarah Ho (AR2, Australia), Esther Staubli (4th Switzerland).

The team looked very together and professional, and finally more relaxed in the pre-game routine than the preliminary matches, having made the Finals.  
Congratulations on a great job, the second half certainly was exciting and produced some stunning goals.

Lots of concentration in the tunnel

So it got me to thinking about what makes for a good, positive Finals process? It's the last week in August and most winter competitions are wrapping up regular rounds and looking at the final 3 weeks of Semi/Finals/Grand Finals.
If you get appointed, how do you make the gameday both memorable and as stress free as possible.



Prepare / Plan - This week both the local Juniors and Senior referees here in Brisbane will be informed who's going to be refereeing the final games, most of which are 3 weekends away.  This gives the referee involved some time to mentally plan for the match, ensure he/she is available, have their gear ready, stay match fit in the lead up, the usual things you'd do for any game.  Finals being a bit bigger in terms of expectations from both players and self imposed performance expectations, it's worth trying a few other things that the professionals at FIFA do.

If you get a chance, watch the semi finals of the age group / division you'll be refereeing - you're likely to be refereeing teams you've regularly been involved with already this season and may not be involved in the Semis. It's worth looking closely at how they develop play, their style, routines on the field for set plays(short corners) and identifying key players (these are not always the ones that get sanctioned but are the game changers).  This will give you a edge on thinking about where your best positioned, match intensity (likely to be high) and may help with player management.

2-3 days before, try and reach out to your Assistant Referees and 4th official (if you have one).  They are likely to be appointed after Semi Finals and might change, but it's important to have a pre-game conversation / chat.  It might be just a quick phone conversation, catch up after training or coffee, but it's important to get them thinking about their role on match day and have some understandings of logistics - 

• Confirmation of teams / venue
• When is kickoff scheduled / when are you arriving at the ground (make it earlier than usual as there is always more to do )
• Liaison with the match coach / commissioner, they will have details about dressing room access / grounds / last minute logistical changes
• Comprehensive ground inspection
• Warmups together - even if this isn't part of your usual routine, think about or ask someone with experience what would be appropriate given your fitness / current training routine - breaking down on a Finals match because you weren't warm is poor performance
• Team gear check - some teams may never experience this in the regular season, but it's worth doing your job fully and checking equipment in the change rooms before the game - it allows you to ensure there are no jewelry / uniform issues on the field when everyone is ready for the game to commence - so make certain you let the coaches know you want to do it and when is it convenient for them - remember they are under lots of match day stress too.
• Fifa lineup - you can also explain during the gear check to the coaches how the teams may walk out / FIFA handshake if that is being done in your match - ask your Match Commissioner
• If your travelling together, allow extra time for parents to take photos of the "Finals" team
• Your equipment - ensure your AR's have the same uniform your expected to wear and their alternative colours - it'll allow you both time to borrow spares if needed
• If your really looking to be proactive, arrange for dinner out after the game - Celebration of your performances is worth it and it'll make the day more memorable.

And Finally, having called a fellow colleague who may be disappointed in having the AR instead of the Referee role, your making him/her feel better as your congratulating them on the appointment and setting the positive tone of teamwork that'll be needed on match day.  

Match Day

Today's U/20 WWC third playoff match for the AFC team produced some great stress relieving smiles from the team before the tunnel walkout - Sachiko had done some funny head twists between the first picture and second (above) and I can imagine they saw it on delay on a monitor in front?  Whatever it was, it worked for breaking any tension just moments before the big walkout.
Not a bad practice for any referee moments before the big game, as the use of humor / cheesy smiles will always break your concentration just enough to remind you to enjoy the experience and take it all in.

Don't overthink the match - everyone has their own particular pre match routines.  Rafa Nadal, champion tennis player is notorious for regular practices prior to and between points.

Copywrite brain-spec.blogspot.com

So ensure you have time on the match day for your regular routines, plus allowing your team to do theirs.  Some referees need loud pumping music, some quiet mediation, some practice physically or mentally their responses.  But regardless, it's another game and you need to treat it the same as much as is practical, as this will allow your regular best performance to come to the surface.  That performance is what got you to this point, so don't over think it.

Grabbing the match ball

Match Balls
The only equipment you may not have much control over until just before is the match balls - likely to be new, with the Match Commission or home team, under pumped and need checking - even at FIFA level the referees teams check all the balls and pump them prior to the game, so make time for this.  Great job for the 4th official if you have one.


FIFA Handshake / Walkout
Does your local branch / FA require the more formal FIFA handshake during Semi / Finals?  If so, have a look at any Aleague or International Team match for how it's done.  Key points:

1. Teams walk out together behind the officials team
2. AR's on outside, holding flags outside hands, 4th official to right of Referee in centre of field
3. Ensure you have the teams face the side with all the parents / spectators (not always the same as the benches) - they are wanting photos of faces, not backs on this big day
4. Remember to smile - you'll be in lots of photos
5. Team to referees left walk through first, handshakes all round
6. Team to referees right walk second, handshakes with officials
7. Get the captains back and do the coin toss.
8. Shake hands of captains and officials team - it shows your teams unity

Teams lined up FIFA handshake style

Third Playoff Team U20WWC - smile !!

You might also get pesky Match Commissioners / parents who want a picture for the digital scrap book prior to the match / post match with your medals.  This is the picture format you want, but try and stand close together and look like your having fun. 

Thats it for now, I'm off to Junior coaching to see who's doing what Finals in three weeks. Remember, its a reward for all your hard work during the last 7 months, so enjoy your Finals and good luck to everyone appointment for 2014.

More pics from U20WWC later tonight

KangaCupRef