REFS NEED LOVE TOO
An honest perspective from the 3rd team on the pitch... the referees. Through humor, analysis and education, we are slowly changing how people view referees and officials in all sports. We care and have a love for the game as much as any player or coach. Sometimes even more. Youth soccer (proper football) is a multi-billion $ industry in the US. Tremendous money is spent on players, competitions, travel etc., but almost nothing spent on developing the next generation of referees. I hope that this Podcast inspires, educates and humanizes the next generation of referees for their own development and appreciation from the players, coaches and spectators they need to work alongside.
- Update frequency
- every 11 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 88
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Regional fitness test and becoming a referee mentor
A few weeks ago, I tried to pass the FIFA fitness test to become eligible for promotion to Regional. If you are not familiar, this is the next step in the path of promotion for referees…
Referees make mistakes and that's a OK!!!
Mistakes are learning opportunities. When we make a mistake, it gives us a chance to learn.
All of the greatest athletes, entrepreneurs and and politicians have faced spectacular defeat…
Effective Pre-game prep for in-game success for referees
The work you do pre-game can prepare you for success during the game. Have a routine or just a mental checklist of good things to do before the first whistle can settle your mind and bo…
VAR "Serious Human Error" and the worst phrase I hear from Referees
It's time to break down the massive VAR controversary that broke the internet a few weeks back. It was so avoidable, it hurts. I'm going to talk about how it could've been avoided and w…
Middle School, Body Cams, Mail Bag and so much more!
This week we'll go over the wonderful world of Middle School Soccer and many more topics including Body Cams and what I say in my pre-match conversation with players. . I sincerely enjo…
VAR in the 1st few weeks of the season
It's time for transparency and openness. It kills me to hear all of the criticism of our fellow professional referees. I know people will say that they get paid well enough and that is …
Summer Tournament Experience
I just spent 2 days reffing at a local summer tournament. I enjoyed myself, made a great call and an iffy call, but there were also a few things that irked me.
We'll also discuss refere…
Judges Need Love Too
I had the honor and privilege of speaking at the National Association for Women's Gymnastics Judges in Grand Rapids, Michigan this past weekend. It was their 50th anniversary and an all…
A conversation with Ahmed Rehan - Grassroots Referee in Scotland
I had a blast connecting with Ahmed Rehan, a Grassroots Referee in Scotland. He is known as the The Football Referee on TikTok. Love his channel for raw behind the scenes footage of bei…
Refs Need Love Too meets the Marketing Mad Men
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with the guys behind the Marketing Mad Men Podcast. We talked AI, TikTok, Content Marketing and eventually worked our way into Refs Need Love T…
The pros and cons of "Comms"and working with new refs
Using comms is so much fun!!! I wish everyone had the opportunity to do it. There are good reasons why pros use them every game. I totally understand the counter argument that it can af…
New Laws of the Game for the 23/24 season explained
IFAb has graced us with the new LOTG updates that are coming for the 2023 - 2024 season which will begin in August 2023. Get up to speed with what is coming and let me know if you have …
Discussing Referee Fitness with Ben Mueller
Discussing referee fitness with a top referee and fitness expert, Ben Mueller
A week of learning and reflection on current events
You can learn something new in every game. Learning opportunities are there in every match if you are willing to listen and be observant.
6 Lessons for Aspiring Referees
I recently read an interview with Mark Geiger, the new head of PRO here in the US. Mark ref'd for 14 years in the MLS and has had more international assignments than any other US ref ev…
First Match of 2023 Review and Analysis
You learn something new every single game. It's always good to look back and analyze what went well and what could've been improved. Here's my raw analysis.
Why I love being a referee
It's a hard job. I think that's why I love it so much. The mental and physical challenges motivate me. I actually like that fact that is impossible to be perfect on the pitch. You can a…
Tips on how to improve as a referee
My favorite podcasts:
- The Referees World Podcast
- Referees: The Final Whistle
- REFNEXT: The Referees Podcast
- Men In Blazers
- Total Soccer Show
Facebook Pages
- The Referee Forum
- Soccer Referee Socie…
Dear Parents, Please Shut Up!
If you think you are helping by yelling instructions at your kid, someone else's kid or the referee during a game, you're not. You are actually causing harm to the players, their coach …
Be like a goldfish
There is a great scene in a Ted Lasso episode, when Ted tells one of his players to "be like a gold fish." The gold fish is the happiest animal on earth per Ted, because it has a very s…