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Articles  (Home Page) A series of Refereeing type article for your enjoyment.

Articles by Stanley Lover click here.

 Article 1 Page covering the subjects below:
1. Turn a Deaf Ear Fun Real Life Story (by Julian Carosi)
2. Why can't we have a qualified Referee for all of our Youth games? (by Julian Carosi)
3. Isn't it funny how the Referee always loses the match for the losing team! (by Julian Carosi)
4. The Lemmings' Rollercoaster is the most popular Soccer Fun Park attraction! (by Julian Carosi)
5. The Indirect Free Kick Signal (by Alan Robinson)
 Article 2 Page covering the subjects below:
1. Attacks directed at referees' in the professional US soccer league.  (By Richard Dawson Canada)
2. Conflict within a team itself. (By Julian Carosi (with psychology material from Nursing 'sister-in-law' Anna Webb dated 3rd Nov. 2000)
3. The Main Characters in a Soccer Match. Excellent article by Otis Wirth New Hampshire Soccer Officials Association member giving an insight into the characters on the field of play.
4.  The mother of football will never cut the apron strings to its baby. (By Julian Carosi)
 Article 3 Page covering the subjects below:
1. Melksham Referees' Society Members are Sent to Prison. By Julian Carosi
2. The UK National Health Service takes a 'Red' Card from the Punishment Book of Football (Soccer). By Julian Carosi
3. Fun and Games (By Richard Dawson Canada)
4. A Fledgling (By Otis Wirth New Hampshire Soccer Officials)
5. Are You a Lazy Referee." (By Merv Woodage Warrington England).
Article 4 Page covering the subjects below:
1. Referee abuse is it solvable or inevitable? By Stephen Potischman
2. I feel sorry for these scapegoats... By David Aaronovitch
3. Bringing Two Worlds Together: The best way to eradicate referee’s abuse. By Francois Riopel
4. How to become a referee in Romania. By Daniel Munteanu
Article 5 Page covering the subjects below:
1.Dealing with Crowd Abuse. By Simon Snartt Level 3 Referee from  England (Sept 03)
2. The Journey and Expectations of a Contributory Ref. By Simon Snartt (Sept 03)
3.The Dreaded Electronic Scoreboard. By Simon Snartt
4. Level 3 Fitness.  By Simon Snartt
5. The Fourth Official. By Simon Snartt
6. Contributory Team-Work at Level 3. By Simon Snartt 
7. Expectations at Contributory Level 3. By Simon Snartt
8. Level 3 Flash Points By Simon Snartt
9. The Level 3 Contributory Referee Marking System in England.
10. The Level 3 Whistle.
Article 6 Page covering the subjects below:
1. FIFA Confederations Cup (France 18^th – 29^th of June 2003)  By Jim Ouliaris FIFA Assistant Referee Australian Team
2. Relax. It is OK to hate Referees after all. They really are superior! Report compiled by Julian Carosi
3. Collars and Cuffs (and all things white!) By Julian Carosi (Sept 03)
4. Ref. is given his cards by his Boss. By Julian Carosi
5. Reffing in Rockhampton by Allan Barber
6. Refereeing in Zimbabwe by Hilton Mukuwiri
Article 7 Page covering the subjects below:
1. Gaining respect of players and club officials - make sure that you get the big decisions right. By David Hutchinson
2. Into the Malaysian Jungle. By Eddie McGrath
Article 8 Page covering the subjects below:
1. Primary School (Real) Football. By Alan Henderson 
2. It’s tough being a Referee in the Czech Republic: By Pavel Grujbar and Jan Haisman
3. Refereeing in Hong Kong by representatives of the HKCFRA

Assessing Referees The aim of this section of www.CorshamRef.org.uk is to provide advice covering the subject of assessing Referees using the criteria practised in England. Any Referee seeking promotion will find some good advice here!
Sentences that an Assessor can use when marking 'Appearance'.
Assistant Referee Law 6: The aim of this page is to stress the importance of the Referee recognising and managing the role of the Assistant Referees - and the responsibilities of the Assistant Referees themselves.
Assistant Referee Advice DANIEL MUNTEANU (Romania) – Ex-FIFA Assistant Referee provides some excellent advice that will help Assistant Referees in their important role.
Assistant Referees Flag Training Programme This is a simple programme for Referee Instructors for teaching flag techniques.
Assistant Referees Tips Lots of ideas to make you a better Assistant Referee.
Bad Language Mapping and Tolerance Levels Help for Referees in deciding what words constitute a Red card offence or a Yellow card offence.
Ball Law 2: The aim of this page is to recognise an acceptable match ball, to know when to examine it, and the action to take if it is not acceptable.
Ball In and Out of Play Law 9: The aim of this page is to recognise when the ball is out of play.
Basic Referees Course (PowerPoint file continuing  the FA Licenced Instructors' Basic Referees Course material). 1Mb in size.
Blinkie Ref Cartoons A new collection of 'Blinkie Ref' fun cartoons drawn by the WebMaster Julian Carosi.
Body Language The aim of this page is to help Referees maximise the use of body language to impart authority and confidence. 
Cartoons... Dopey Ref Cartoons and Blinkie Ref Cartoons by Julian Carosi
Cautionable Offences 
Caution Reports - New multi-caution forms now available  This page introduces the new (August 2004) FA multi-caution reports for use in England. 
Classifications This page includes: 1. How do I become a Referee?: 2. Classification Levels for Referees in England and Promotion Requirements (From 2001/2002 Season onwards): 3. Enhanced Promotion: 4. Recruitment, Basic Referee Training and Initial Examination: 5. The Football Association Two Tier System For Training Referees: 6. Referee Registration: 7. The Pyramid System Promotion for Referees & League Structure: 8. Order of Preference of appointments (in England): 
Club Linesmen This guide has been complied to foster and maintain good relationships with Club Assistant Referees (known as Club Linesmen)
Common sense Law 18: The aim of this page is to learn about the most important Law 18  - Common sense and The Spirit of the Game.
Conflict: 'The ABC of Conflict' - how to deal with conflict. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Contact the CorshamRef.org.uk Webmaster Julian Carosi
Corner Kick Law 17: Aim is of this page is to recognise a correct corner kick and how to deal with any infringements.
Crossbar History: A comprehensive look at how the crossbar has developed historically over time.
Dangerous Play Dangerous play normally refers to those incidents that occur accidentally, where players challenging for the ball put their feet up high in the air, or attempt an overhead kick when opponents are in near proximity.
Decision-making - how to make more confident decisions. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Decisions of the International F.A. Board These 'Decisions' are part on the Laws of the Game and appear in the official Law guide each year.
Diagonal Analysis: The diagonal path taken by Referee Valentin Ivanov (Russia) during the Euro 2004 Quarter Final game between Czech Republic (3) v Denmark (0) in Portugal on Sunday 27 June 2004, is analysed by Julian Carosi.
Diagonal System of Control - a history: (pdf document) A history of several systems of officiating, which use set patrol paths, supported by Assistant Referees (ARs), previously known as linesmen.
Diffusing Dissent Key phrases (‘one-liners’) and tips that Referees can use and find work for them in different situations that can occur during a game when tying to diffuse dissent.
Direct Free Kick The aim is of this page is how to recognise a Direct Free Kicks; how to deal with it, and when a punishment should be applied.
Discussion Page The Corsham Referee web site discussion page. Use this page to post and discus anything to do with Refereeing.
Dopey Ref Cartoons A large collection of 'Dopey Ref' fun cartoons drawn by the WebMaster Julian Carosi.
Dropped Ball The aim of this page is look at the 'Dropped Ball' restart Procedures.
Duration of the Match Law 7: The aim of this page is to understand all the aspects of timekeeping during a match.
Emergency Advice Are you prepared to deal with a medical emergency? Try this page for some sensible advice to think about before each game.
External Interference Las 5 & 8: The aim of this page is know what action the Referee must take to stop, suspend and restart play if the game has been effected by external interference.
FA booklets   pdf downloadable booklets giving excellent advice, by the FA England: Advice on the Applications of the Laws of the Game:   Advice for Newly Qualified Referees: A Guide to Assistant Referees: A  Guide to Fitness for Referees: A Guide to Misconduct Report Writing: Handbook for Mentors.
Fair Shoulder Charge  Is a fair shoulder charge, i.e. a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge still allowed?
Field of Play Law 1: The aim of this page is to tell you about the dimensions, how to inspect a field of play, how to decide if it is playable, and what action to take if there are any problems.
FIFA Questions and Answers (2006 version web page html) Questions and Answers provided by FIFA, are now incorporated in the Law book chapter entitled 'Additional Instructions for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials.  FIFA Q&A 2000   FIFA Q&A 2004  FIFA Q&A 2005  FIFA Q&A 2006 (pdf Adobe Acrobat versions) 
Final Whistle some ideas on what you need to think about when you blow to end each half. Part of the Set Pieces advice.

FITNESS:  Details from the excellent booklet 'Fitness for Referees', produced by the Football Association England, appear here on this web site for your benefit -along with an Assistant Referee Flag Training programme by Julian Carosi.

1. Your Response to Exercise What do you notice happening to your body when you exercise?
2. Are You Fit Enough to Start Refereeing? You should always get fit to referee and not referee to get fit.
3. Preparing to Exercise Warming your body up is an essential part of pre-match preparation and training as it prepares your body for action and improves your performance. 
4. Improving and Maintaining Fitness Refereeing is basically an endurance activity, which means you must have the stamina (aerobic fitness) to be able to do the necessary running for 90 or perhaps 120 minutes. 
5. Additional Interval Running Sessions for all Levels Exercise programmes to keep you fit.
6. Staying Free of Injury / Training Guidelines  Training must be thought of principally in terms of prevention of injury. Fact – Lack of fitness is one of the prime causes of injury. 
7. Current Fitness Tests in Operation in England and Fitness Awards  How do you know when you are fit? How do you know when you are becoming fitter as a result of your training programme? How do you know if you are fir enough to referee at a particular level? 
8. Food and the Referee As well as training regularly your everyday choice of food is going to be a key factor in maintaining your target weight, and/or reducing the percentage of body fat. 
9. Assistant Referee Flag Technique Training (by Julian Carosi) The aim of this page is to provide a simple flexible way to practically train Assistant Referees in the art of carrying and using the flag whilst running along the touchline.
10. Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) - Training Information Home page including a PGMO Pre-Season weekly Training routines  - Matthew Weston; including Heart Rate Monitoring.

Fourth Official This page provides a comprehensive understanding of the Fourth Official's role. Contains a download.
Free Kicks Law 13: The aim of this page is to recognise when free kick should be awarded and how they should be taken properly -  also how to deal with restarts and infringements:
Free Kick discussion paper by Jason Austin  Great insight into managing encroachment on free kicks.
Free Kick Restarts and Dropped Ball Restarts  Appreciating the differences between the three restarts: Direct Free Kick, Indirect Free Kick, and the Dropped Ball. 
Gamesmanship The aim of this page is to show how the Referee - can identify and deal with Gamesmanship in the world of Football/Soccer.
Give and Go, Give and Sort: How a Referee can make the best use of the time that it takes to set up a free kick; and whether it is better for him to stay nearby. or sprint to his new restart position in readiness for the commencement of the free kick.  
Goal Kick Law 16: The aim of this page is to recognise a correct goal kick and how to deal with any infringements.
Goal Kicks  - how to manage them. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Goal-Scoring Opportunity The aim of this page is to describe what an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is. And how to deal with incidents.
Grassroots New FIFA Rules for Grassroots Games !  Fun rules!
Guest Book I would welcome any feedback or useful links. This site is dedicated for the good of Football (Soccer) and Refereeing. It covers all of the Laws of the Game, and will be of use to players, officials, new and old Referees alike. I welcome comments and suggestions from all parts of the World (WebMaster Julian Carosi).
Handball The aim of this page is to help you recognise DELIBERATE handling of the ball and to deal with it.
How do I  become a Referee? Details of how to become a Football/Soccer Referee.
HTML Tips Useful tips used in the construction of this web site.
Indirect Free Kick Aim is of this page is how to recognise and to deal with Indirect Free Kicks. Indirect free kicks are known in Referees' jargon - as technical offences.
Impeding The aim of this page is to identify and to deal with impedance (deliberate obstruction).
Injuries: S.E.R.I.O.U.S. Method for Dealing with Injuries: Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Jokes about Referees
Jurisdiction Law 5: The aim of this page is to recognise irregularities before, during and after a match - and how to deal with it.  Referees’ Powers include taking action against both the players and the officials, and ensuring that unauthorised persons do not enter the field of play.
Kicks from the Penalty Mark The aim of this page is to deal correctly with penalty 'shoot outs' and 'Golden Goals' that decide the outcome of a game.
Kick offs - how to manage them. Part of the Set Pieces advice.

Law changes history  This page includes a history of the Laws over the years, and includes the latest Law changes. 
Law 1: Field of Play The aim of this page is to tell you about the dimensions, how to inspect a field of play, how to decide if it is playable, and what action to take if there are any problems.
Law 2: The Ball The aim of this page is to recognise an acceptable match ball, to know when to examine it, and the action to take if it is not acceptable.
Law 3: No.s of Players & Subs Aim of this page is to explain exactly what a team comprises of, and how to manage substitutes.
Law 4: Players Equipment The aim of this page is to know when and how a referee should check players’ equipment, and what action to take if any equipment is found to be faulty.
Law 5/8: External Interference The aim of this page is know what action the Referee must take to stop, suspend and restart play if the game has been effected by external interference.
Law 5: Referees Jurisdiction The aim of this page is to recognise irregularities before, during and after a match - and how to deal with it.  Referees’ Powers include taking action against both the players and the officials, and ensuring that unauthorised persons do not enter the field of play.
Law 6: Assistant Referee The aim of this page is to stress the importance of the Referee recognising and managing the role of the Assistant Referees - and the responsibilities of the Assistant Referees themselves.
Law 7: Duration of the Match The aim of this page is to understand all the aspects of timekeeping during a match.
Law 8: Start & Restart of Play The aim of this page is to understand how to confidently conduct the coin tossing ceremony and how to start and restart the game correctly.
Law 9: Ball In and Out of Play The aim of this page is to recognise when the ball is out of play.
Law 10: Method of Scoring The aim of this page is to recognise when a goal is scored correctly, and how to deal with illegal goals.
Law 11: Offside  The aim off this page is to understand the Offside Law and when an Offside offence actually occurs. Being in an offside position is not an offence in itself.
Law 12 Questions & Answers This page is dedicated to questions and answers to help you understand and interpret the Laws of Associated Football.
Law 12: Informal Tips A informal guide on how to deal with Football cautions and Sendings-off, including sample reports.... for specific detail on writing disciplinary reports, see the Report Writing page.
Law 13: Free Kicks The aim of this page is to recognise when free kick should be awarded and how they should be taken properly -  also how to deal with restarts and infringements:
Law 13: Playing Ball a Second Time The aim of this page is to recognise when a player commits an offence by touching the ball a second time before another player touches it - and to explain the appropriate restarts and punishment.
Law 14: Penalty Kick The aim of this page is to recognise a correctly taken penalty, and to know how to deal with the possible infringements.
Law 15: The Throw-in The aim of this page is to recognise a correct throw-in and how to deal with any infringements.
Law 16: The Goal Kick The aim of this page is to recognise a correct goal kick and how to deal with any infringements.
Law 17: The Corner Kick Aim is of this page is to recognise a correct corner kick and how to deal with any infringements.
Law 18: Common sense The aim of this page is to learn about the most important Law 18  - Common sense and The Spirit of the Game.

Levels This page includes: 1. How do I become a Referee?: 2. Classification Levels for Referees in England and Promotion Requirements (From 2001/2002 Season onwards): 3. Enhanced Promotion: 4. Recruitment, Basic Referee Training and Initial Examination: 5. The Football Association Two Tier System For Training Referees: 6. Referee Registration: 7. The Pyramid System Promotion for Referees & League Structure: 8. Order of Preference of appointments (in England): 

Links: 
Corsham town- where is that ? Lots of links about my lovely home town of Corsham.
County Football Associations in England Football Association County level web sites in England
Football Related Links Soccer / Football Type Listings / Engines / Links / Information / Organisations
Fun Links page Various 'fun' type web sites to help you "chill-out"
Equipment Suppliers Football/Sports type equipment suppliers.
Health and Injuries Web sites to help you with your injuries and health problems
International Links - hundreds of them! Football (Soccer) Referee links from around the World.
Language Translators traducteurs de langage: traduttori di linguaggio: Sprach?bersetzer: traductores del lenguaje: Sites where you can translate text.
Links to Football Clubs Football Clubs (some big and some small!)
Maps on the Web Maps sites to help you find your way (UK sites).
Miscellaneous Links A collection of links used in the construction of this web site.
Referees' Societies in United Kingdom Football(Soccer) Referees' Societies in England
Web Search Engines A comprehensive list of Internet Search Engines.

Magnetic Board Online demonstration page for Referee Instructors to demonstrate on the filed scenarios.
Marking Refs and Teams What criteria do you use as a Referee when marking teams and how do teams mark Referees?
Mass Confrontation Melee how to deal with it?
Mentoring Mentoring Referees is a powerful tool in the education and development of Referees at all levels.
Method of Scoring Law 10: The aim of this page is to recognise when a goal is scored correctly, and how to deal with illegal goals.
Minimising Assault There are a number of recommendations here, that a Referee can consider to minimise the chances of violence being committed against them.
Misconduct Report Writing:: To assist and support you in your preparation and completion of misconduct reports and to do so in such a way as to provide a clear and accurate description of incidents for those who are obliged to read and act upon them. You will find lists of each of the offences for which a player should be cautioned or sent off, offering comments on each and including specimen examples.  Includes; 1. A referee's duty related to misconduct: 2. Report as a communication: 3. Advice: 4. Standard Misconduct report form: 5. Description of the offences: 6. The report itself: 7. The cautionable offences: 8. The cautioning procedure: 9. The sending off offences: 10. The sending off procedure: 11. Responsibility of Assistant referees who advise referees of misconduct:
12. Definitions of serious foul play and violent conduct: 13. Sending off offences specimen reports: 14. Other misconduct by players, officials, spectators, etc.: 15. Summary of report writing procedure: 16. Checklist for misconduct reports: 17. The Disciplinary Commission: 18. Personal Hearing procedures:
Newsletters The Corsham Referee monthly Newsletter archive. Newsletters ceased after April 2009. 
Number of Players & Subs Law 3: Aim of this page is to explain exactly what a team comprises of, and how to manage substitutes.

Offside  Law 11: The aim off this page is to understand the Offside Law and when an Offside offence actually occurs. Being in an offside position is not an offence in itself.
Offside Diagrams Contains a number of offside scenarios, and explains the Offside Laws by the use of graphics.
Offside History A comprehensive history of how the offside Law has developed.
Instructors Offside Demonstration Page 1 Online demonstration page for Referee Instructors.
Instructors Offside Demonstration Page 2 Online demonstration page for Referee Instructors.
Download WinZip files for above 2 pages.  Useful or demonstrating the Offside Law on a computer - to trainee Referees.

Order of Preference  Order of appointments/seniority (in England), as a Referee or Assistant Referee.
Penalty Kick Law 14: The aim of this page is to recognise a correctly taken penalty, and to know how to deal with the possible infringements.
Penalty Kicks  - how to deal with them. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Players Equipment Law 4: The aim of this page is to know when and how a referee should check players’ equipment, and what action to take if any equipment is found to be faulty.
Player Management Technique A Referee can be challenged at any time during a match? To adopt a consistent method of approach to a player, this page demonstrates the 'Staircase Approach to Player Management" advice from the FA England that can be used when taking disciplinary action to match the severity of the each offence.
Playing Ball a Second Time Law 13: The aim of this page is to recognise when a player commits an offence by touching the ball a second time before another player touches it - and to explain the appropriate restarts and punishment.
Positioning Comprehensive advice and diagrams to help with Referees' positioning on the field of play.
Pre-Match Brief (Comprehensive Referee's pre-match brief) Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Promotion Interview Advice Sensible advice to Referees attending promotion interviews. Also includes advice if you have to attend your first Disciplinary Hearing.
Pyramid System The Pyramid System Promotion for Referees.
Questions about Referee Training Frequently asked questions about Referee Training.
Quizzes No.1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .10 Ten multi-choice quizzes based on the Laws of the Game, to test your knowledge.
Quiz Questions 300 (pdf file) The biggest ever free 300 questions by Julian Carosi
Regional Mangers Contact details for the FA (England) Regional Referees' Mangers.
Report Writing Covering  all aspects of Discipline Report Writing, i.e. how to write a Caution and a Sending-off report. Including report examples.
Restarts Direct or Indirect Free Kick or Dropped Ball. Which one is the correct restart? Go here for a comprehensive guide and advice.
Self-Evaluation. Part of the Set Pieces advice.Using self-assessment after each game is an effective way to analyse match performance and identify those aspects that were not done quite so well as you would have liked; and to identify where you could have done better.
Sending off Offences Describes all of the sending off offences and how to deal with them. 
Set Pieces Techniques on how to deal with standard incidents in a game, and to make you a better Referee. How to manage set-piece throw-ins, how to issue cards, how to manage goal kicks, how to build a positive image, how to establish a rapport with players by gaining their trust via the TRUST triangle, how to deal with simulation, how to manage a penalty kick, how to approach the kick-off at the beginning of each game, how to manage the first 10 minutes of each game (10-Minute Refereeing), how to deal with conflict, decision-making, self-assessment, Advantage, Assistant Referee Tips, and the Give and Go, Give and Sort Technique..
Signals for Referees: All the Referees' and Assistant Referees' signals using simple graphics.
Simulation - how to deal with it. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Slide tackles:  Should all slide tackle offences be punished with a direct free kick?
Spitting and Striking:  Where the restarts are taken, and what punishments to apply.
Start & Restart of Play Law 8: The aim of this page is to understand how to confidently conduct the coin tossing ceremony and how to start and restart the game correctly.
Tackle from Behind  What is a tackle from behind? And how to deal with it.
Technical Area Everything you need to know about the Technical Area and how to deal with its occupants.
Ten-Minute Refereeing - how to do it. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Ten Referee Tips No. 1: Preventative Refereeing: No. 2: The 15- Minute Trial: No. 3: Ten-Minute-Refereeing: No. 4: The Goalie Trinity: No. 5: The Learning Ladder: No. 6: Remembering: No. 7: Perceptual Positions: No. 8: The Goal (or outcome) Path: No. 9: ABC of Conflict: No. 10: Mark Yourself Out of Ten.
Ten yard advancement rule history page covering this trial rule disbanded in Feb 05.
The Throw-in Law 15: The aim of this page is to recognise a correct throw-in and how to deal with any infringements.
Tools for Referees Commonly used tools such as match pads, penalty shot out cards, and much more.
TRUST Triangle - building a rapport with players by getting them to trust you. Part of the Set Pieces advice.
Webmaster's Page & Site Awards Details about the Web Master Julian Carosi.
Whistle History: A look at the history of 'The Referee's Whistle'.
Whistling Tips Interactive sound fun page with practicable advice and whistling examples.
Wiltshire Referees' Resource web page Resources for England Wiltshire County Referees. .