Managing the Pressures of Prestigious Fixtures

It is already that time of year, when we start to see cup final appointments from local leagues and our counties come through via email or notification in person. These are some of the most important games for players, managers and clubs, but also for referees. These are the games where we remember the crucial errors or the perfect decisions, it’s these games that shape our memories and turn us into even better officials, games that challenge us to be the best versions of ourselves.

Some have already officiated cup finals this season, with many more to come. That’s why we’re going to talk about the build up to the cup final, your pre-match preparation and that post-match hangover, and dealing with your thoughts and mental notes you made throughout the game.

Psychological Preparation

You must be mentally ready for any type of game – whether it be a Sunday league game or your County Cup Final – you are always representing your county FA, the league and yourself. After all, ninety-nine percent of the time, we are paid to provide a service. Being mentally prepared isn’t just about being switched on during the game, being in the right place at the right time to make that correct decision, it’s about your preparation and build-up to the game too! Dealing with nerves, training and eating correctly, it all builds up and can be the reasons why we succeed or fail.

Mental preparation changes for everyone, yours may begin when you find out the appointment, with a rush of excitement which you then must channel, or it could be the day before the fixture, where you are getting kit ready and start to feel a little nervous before the game. All referees want to do is go out onto the field and deliver a performance which ultimately is not spoken about – meaning we haven’t been noticed. Nine times out of ten, all teams want is for the referee to be fair, consistent and ultimately flawless. Being in the right mental space is crucial to deliver on the football field. That is why pre-match preparation is the key to your success. If you don’t prepare before the game, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” (Quote – Benjamin Franklin) will always come to mind. Ultimately, it is important to do what is right for you. If you need to start your preparation two weeks before the game, so what? All that matters is that you are happy with your performance, delivering and being proud to officiate that cup final. If researching the two teams works for you, perfect, do it. But don’t try and be something you’re not. Be yourself. Ultimately, trying to be someone you are not will only bring you down. Be practical and enjoy the pre-match preparation.

Day of the Game

Today’s the day of the game, and you are getting ready to set off. This is the moment where all that preparation comes into place. Is your kit washed? Are your boots clean? Are your watches charged? Do you need to joint-travel? All these questions could be answered by your pre-match preparation. And hopefully, when it comes to your final, you will have these questions answered. Self-belief is huge when it comes to refereeing – there is no point being on the pitch if you don’t think you can do it, you will be overwhelmed and disjointed. Your preparation will help you to believe that you are in fact ready and you do in fact deserve this prestigious appointment.

So, you’ve arrived at the ground and you are in fact mentally prepared. You have done your normal training regime, ate your favourite pre-match meal and you packed your kit and equipment the night before, ensuring everything is clean and all electronic equipment is charged or has the required amount of battery. Just do the normal stuff. If the league requires a team sheet, get the team sheet, go outside and conduct a warm-up, be back in early and complete your pre-match briefing with your other officials. This is the time to really get in the zone, it is your final chance to prepare and be as ready as you possibly can be for the next ninety minutes, and potentially penalties.

During the game, all we can say is do your best. If you perform to the best of your ability, putting the most amount of effort you possibly can into that game, you will not fail. There are always things we can do during ‘big games’ to deal with and manage different situations, such as ‘killing the game’ in the latter stages when it’s a tight one-nil finish. Or, we can give that easy defensive free kick in the area from a corner, which in hindsight, we probably shouldn’t have given. Now, we know two wrongs don’t make a right, but the game comes first. You want to get through that game without any issues at all. Sometimes doing the wrong thing is doing the right thing, if you know what we mean.

Everyone’s management style will be different, but it’s important to note that emotions will always run high during a game with such weight lying on it – and maybe you should consider this in certain situations, such as dealing with dissent. Ultimately, players will go onto the field and put in a reckless challenge or commit an act of dissent – we can’t always prevent that. But we can be proactive, manage the situation as we see fit and bend the laws to our advantage, to try and finish that game with twenty-two players, where possible, and have a game where we are at our best.

Learning and Development

Ultimately, this game will be something you remember for a long time, for both the highs and lows. Mistakes happen, and they're opportunities to improve, because there will always be a next time. Many of our members started with youth cup finals, learning lessons that carry them forward. Self-reflection is as crucial as pre-match preparation. Even with the inevitable pressures, remember the moments of excellence and the contribution you made to a memorable match. Be proud. Be proud you received this prestigious appointment and be proud that you navigated the challenge.

Good luck to all match officials who have been appointed to a cup final or equally important game at the 'business end' of the season where a title, promotion, play-off or relegation may be at stake.