World Class Referee Keith Hackett Gives Advice To Modern Referees
Keith Stuart Hackett is an English former football referee, who began refereeing in local leagues in the Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire area in 1960. He is counted amongst the top 100 referees of all time in a list maintained by the International Federation of Football History and Statistic
One of the youngest refrees to earn a spot on the world class pitch, Hackett has refereed the FA Cup Final at Wembley, the European Championships, the Olympics and way too many other important matches to list. It would be easier to list the professioanl teams Hackett has not officiated.
And, Hackett has continued to provide the answers for cult classic cartoon quiz You Are The Ref, drawn by sports artist Paul Trevillion, which he has done since the 1970s which is now a hot game and is launching a new You are the Ref Book with Trevillion this month.
Here is Keith Hackett’s new column for SoccerToday
Referees at all levels are expected to enforce the laws of the game accurately and demonstrate by their actions that they are in control of the proceedings by using their authority in an appropriate manner.
It is easy for referees to fall into the trap of been regarded as arrogant.
And, I have seen referees who think that the game is about them and not the players.
Frankly they are doing the game a disservice.
The good referees go about their task showing through their facial expression, positive body language and communication skills that they are sympathetic to players and the game.
My Advcie to Referees: Be Confident, Not Arrogant.
The foundation of any performance out in the middle is to apply a good work rate and apply top levels of fitness, that ensures that you are in close proximity to play achieving good viewing angles to make accurate judgements.
Over fifty years of been involved in the game, the best referees demonstrate that they are confident and in control by communicating well with players.
Positive and firm hand signals held for a few seconds longer than the norm allow players and spectators the opportunity to see the decision you have made.
Referees at all levels of the game at times are too quick to show a yellow card rather than consider what has taken place, then isolating the player and informing him/her that you want an improvement in their behaviour before showing the card.
Some players knowing that a card is going to be issued will go down, tying their boot laces or calling for treatment.
Assess what is happening then delay the card until the player has risen to his feet.
If the player you are going to sanction is losing some self-control, then request that his Captain joins both of you before you have that word of advice and the showing of the yellow card.
Over the years I have worked with some top referees. Howard Webb and Mark Clattenburg both reached number one status as the best referees in the world by showing authority and gaining respect.
Show the players respect and this puts you on the path of earning respect.
Credit: Illustrations Courtesy of the very talented Paul Trevillion and You Are The Ref
