Guest blogger: Robin - The coach who became a referee 2022-03-03

Guest blogger: Robin - The coach who became a referee

Throughout my life, football has been a natural part of me. Everything from when you learned to tie your little football shoes when you were six years old, to the fateful day when a completely meaningless tackle in shcool at sports, three weeks before the student, destroyed the inner and outer cruciate ligament with associated meniscus. Everything for me felt so terribly meaningless there and then. But this was the beginning of another story where new experiences and memories were created for me.

My name is Robin Lindsjö and I am 35 years old. I have been playing football for most of my life. At first I saw myself as a player, when my knee was whole and healthy. Then i started as a coach, where I first saw little boys learn to touch a football for the first time. To be part of a larger journey where you got to see elite players being educated. All credit to all the leaders around the country, and world, for all the hours you put in for our children, young people and adults. Without you, we referees would not have been needed. Why do I write, "we referees"? Well, I'll tell you my story now.

In the autumn of 2021, I had just finished my most recent coaching assignment and had requests to continue my coaching career in other football clubs. We then talk about three training sessions a week plus matches, time that I do not want to deprive my loved ones. Football is still burning inside me and I was thinking in what way should I still be involved, without it taking up too much time? Bingo, I will be a football referee. As a coach, I had never been wrong in a decision… or had I :)?

Said and done, I am applying for Stage 1 training which takes place in October in Lund for me, southern Sweden. After theory and a number of test matches, I am approved to start refereeing matches for "real".

The pre-season is underway and I get matches both as head referee and as assistant referee at various levels. I thrive very well in my role as a referee and have brought with me thoughts and ideas of what I appreciate about different referees. I have had a lot of referees, both as a player and as a leader. What I have always appreciated are referees who have communicated and tried to prevent situations before the situation actually arises. A good example is to point out to a player that you see the hands in the back, which gives the player an opportunity to correct it and you then prevent a free kick and make the game flow.

In my role as leader, I was far from the silent one and could express myself quite loudly against what I thought were wrong decisions. Therefore, I have an understanding that there will be a reaction, but how is the action after the reaction? I think that determines a possible notice, warning or rejection. As a referee, you can also prevent this through clarity and good communication throughout the match.

During the year, you will be able to follow my refereeing journey and both see and hear the difference between standing on the sidelines as a leader and being out on the field and leading the game. I came in contact with Spintso already in the beginning when I was a leader, as I wanted a watch that could include additional time. Therefore, it was a matter of course for me to buy my referee equipment through Spintso. Said and done, now I use Spintso S1 Pro which I am very happy with. A big advantage is that you avoid the problem of battery replacement. It also works well for training.

Looking forward to blogging here at Spintso. If you have gone from being a coach or player to a referee, please comment at Spintso social media. Why did you started refereeing?