New Grassroots Soccer Ref
I just had my first games as a new grassroots ref, and feeling very discouraged. I have played soccer for over 20 years, I watch a lot of professional soccer, I know the rules in that respect. My first weekend as a referee I was assigned to U11 and U12 games as an AR and Center. I felt completely lost. After a couple games as AR it got a bit better, but I still felt like I was missing a lot. The worst part was my first game as center. Things were moving fast, I didn't know what to call and when. I didn't know where to be. The team I was working with had one other very experienced ref and it was not helpful to throw me in as center when he as the AR. I just don't understand how I can know a game so well and feel so out of my league trying to ref a basic youth game. Why does non of the referee training actually prepare you for a game situation.