FOR MENTORS: EDUCATE, ENCOURAGE & EMPOWER
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Instructions for Mentors

One of the most important things we can do for our new members is to advance them to a level that challenges them, in a positive environment. The way we do this is through observations from Board Members and our most experienced and trusted referees.

In addition to helping the next generation of members, we will be adding $2 to your ArbiterPay account for mentoring compensation.

Best mentoring practices include:
  • Introducing yourself, let the referee(s) know you are a Mentor, and are here to help them.
  • Ask new referees what they need. If they would like some feedback, great, if not that is ok also.
  • Remember you cannot force your help on someone, they have to know you care before they are willing to accept help or advice.
  • Encourage pregames before matches, this sets the right example.
  • Help the referees with Admin, game cards, rosters, ID cards, and scoring.
  • Ask if they have any questions and always encourage new referees. 

Ask New Referees Questions:
  • Ask if they would like some guidance.
  • How is it going?
  • What they are doing right?
  • Anything you would do differently?
  • Which player(s) are potential challenges?
  • What happened in the 27 min on the handling?
  • What would you like to work on in the next (half or game)?
  • Coach and sideline behavior? If there is a concern, how are you going to handle it?
  • Ask about any match critical decisions.

Encourage New Referees:
  • Give them some positive feedback; what did they do right?
  • Suggest 1, 2, or 3 things to work on, but no more than 3 so it's not overwhelming.
  • If the correction is a Law, you could show them the Law Book.
  • If it is your opinion on how to do something you cal tell them this is your opinion, or your advice, or from your experience.

Look for Improvement and Recommend Next Steps to New Referees:
  • If they have improved let them know!
  • Recommend next steps such as reviewing Laws of the Game or the FIFA Considerations.
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Observations

When you submit an observation here is what we are looking for:
  1. Is the new referee willing to receive advice?
  2. Three things the new referee did well
  3. Three things you would like to see improvement on in the future​ ​

Ratings

  • Anyone that is to start with REC just rate them REC
  • Anyone that is club ready, if they can "center" rate them a u10, u12, etc.

Scrimmages

  • If a referee is willing to center, but not experienced, you can shadow them on the field.
  • Let the coaches and managers know that we are mentoring and that these are youth referees and dissent is obviously not acceptable.