I v CS - it isn't easy!



I envy the referee with neutral lines - they don't know just how easy their life is. They are not faced with the dilemma that we basement performers have to deal with every week. We, lowest of the low, and unfitest of the unfit, struggle each week to keep control of matches in less that perfect conditions.

How many times have you thought that the offside flag being waved is almost certainly wrong, but because you are in the penalty area (even we get there occasionally you know) and the boot up field would have even defied Linford Christie, what do you do?

I call these 'Instincts verse Common Sense Situations' and I'm sure you must know what I mean. Your instinct tells you the flag is wrong, but your common sense tells you to blow the whistle!  You're not in a position to judge it yourself, and the defenders are reacting to the flag - you'd be a fool not to blow up.

There is no way that you can referee properly, without neutral lines, and avoid these I v CS situations - it just isn't possible. You have just got to get to the goal areas to make reasonable and honest decisions on matters that may be crucial to the outcome of the match, and from this position you will always be relying on that club man to do an honest job on the breakouts.

The problem with all this is that we rely on our instincts, along with our eyes and ears, and must trust them. There are many situations when you make an informed guess - this is your instinct telling you which way to award the throw, or give a corner or goal kick following tight tackling etc. If you start to doubt your instincts you will lose control and confidence.

Overruling my instincts gives me a bad feeling - it makes me feel that I am cheating, that I am not being honest. In the end it comes down to Law 18 - the application of Common Sense. We must always apply common sense in our refereeing - we can ensure we are in position every now and again to overrule the doggy line flag, but we must be there or there about to do so.

We must trust our instincts but never be to proud to overrule them.

John Brown