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! , 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?

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 ……..

We’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 Information  What do we know about the Referee or AR?  New or experienced official?  Experience as AR  Experience as referee with ARs  Experience at this level  Adjust pre-game accordingly

Referee with “Brand New” AR What should you discuss? Don’t overload 1.Concentrate on Position 2.Make Offside Decisions 3.Ball over boundary lines  Don’t worry about fouls  Don’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