Being a referee is probably the hardest job in the world.

If the referee gives a difficult decision one way, he upsets the other team.  So whichever way he gives (hopefully the just way) he will upset one side or the other. The rules are set out as per “The Laws of The Game“, but without a referee, you can not have a fair and competitive game of football:

The referee is, by the laws of the game, part of the field of play.
Many football fans, players and will tell you that if a referee has had a very good game, you will hardly notice that he was on the pitch.

That can’t be true in these funny clips below.

Often the referee has to make himself and the rules understood to everyone on the pitch, off the pitch and in professional football, the fans in the stadium and those watching on TV. The way this is done, is through a set of hand signals which are common throughout the world.

Have a look at this list of hand signals and see if you recognise them:

Here is an explanation of these signals.

There is one signal missing in this list, they give an example of it for the referee, but they don’t give the example for the assistant referee. I have searched the internet for an example and I cannot find one.

If the assistant linesman thinks a penalty should be awarded he places his flag across his chest. (if you can find an example, let us know.)

It is my belief that if a player thoroughly understands the rules of the game and understands the referee’s interpretation of the game, it enables players to focus more on their playing than their questioning of decisions. I would recommend every player to enrol in a referee’s course and if I had my way, would make it compulsory for professional players (feel free to contact us, about how you can do this)