Send us a text 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 defeats and disappointments in their careers. That is not defines them though. Can you imagine if we let the Copa America and World losses that Messi experienced in his career define him? Crazy talk. He is the goat because who experienced painful losses and defeat and found a way to persevere! When we mak...
Nov 10, 2023•33 min
Send us a text 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 body and enable you to do your best during the match as a referee. Support the show
Oct 22, 2023•38 min
Send us a text 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 what contributed to all of the Liverpool controversies on the day. Additionally, I want to share the worst phrase you can say to me in Pre-game. It is almost always an indicator of a difficult match ahead. Lastly, we'll hit the mail bag. I got a doozy this week! ;-> Support the show...
Oct 14, 2023•40 min
Send us a text 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 enjoy getting to meet and interact with people from allover the world. If you have any questions for me, please send them to refsneedlovetoo@gmail.com Support the show...
Sep 30, 2023•35 min
Send us a text 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 part of the territory, but when pro refs look bad, it makes all refs look bad. This week, we'll take a look back at some of the most controversial calls of the first few weeks. Support the show...
Sep 03, 2023•26 min
Send us a text 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 referee uniforms and Safesport training. Support the show
Aug 07, 2023•36 min
Send us a text 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 around amazing event. I spoke about referee / judge abuse, why it happens and how to potentially deal with it. The message was well received and I hope I was able to set them on a positive path forward. I hope I get to work with this organization and many others again in the future. Support the sho...
Jul 17, 2023•43 min
Send us a text 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 being a ref. Support the show
Jul 08, 2023•36 min
Send us a text 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 Too. It was a fascinating conversation that I hope you will enjoy. Let me know if you want to hear the first half too!!! It's Marketing nerd stuff, but I think it's fascinating. :-> Support the show...
Jun 21, 2023•18 min
Send us a text 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 affect your signals and normal unaided communication, but the pros outweigh the cons for me. We'll discuss that and more in today's episode. Support the show...
Apr 22, 2023•20 min
Send us a text 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 any questions. Support the show
Mar 29, 2023•16 min
Send us a text Discussing referee fitness with a top referee and fitness expert, Ben Mueller Support the show
Mar 23, 2023•35 min
Send us a text You can learn something new in every game. Learning opportunities are there in every match if you are willing to listen and be observant. Support the show
Mar 17, 2023•25 min
Send us a text 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 ever! Here are some of his lessons and suggestions for aspiring referees. Support the show
Feb 18, 2023•19 min
Send us a text 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. Support the show
Jan 29, 2023•16 min
Send us a text 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 always improve. I also like that it's a job most people can't or won't do. It's an elite club or committed and passionate people who love the game of football. These are just some of the reasons why I love it. Support the show...
Jan 16, 2023•22 min
Send us a text 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 Society Offside Ref Support UK Support the show...
Dec 15, 2022•21 min
Send us a text 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 and the referee. Support the show
Nov 11, 2022•14 min
Send us a text 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 short memory. If something bad happens, they forget about in 10 seconds or less. Sometimes, as a referee, we also need to be like a gold fish. Support the show...
Oct 30, 2022•9 min
Send us a text I get nervous because I care. If I didn't care, I wouldn't feel anything. The important thing is that we have perspective about what is driving those nerves and how to channel them into a positive experience on the pitch. Support the show
Oct 01, 2022•13 min
Send us a text It's hard enough being a full time student. Imagine also playing a competitive university sport and also trying to become a professional referee. It is no easy task, but Jake Joyce handles it in stride. In this insightful podcast, you'll hear what got Jake originally into refereeing and the meteoric rise he is on towards becoming Regional and eventually professional. Support the show...
Sep 23, 2022•22 min•Ep. 7
Send us a text Across the country, state youth soccer organizations are making bold new rules to try and address the verbal abuse and often physical threats made towards our match officials. Today we are going to talk about these policies and what we can do to address Dissent on the pitch. Support the show
Sep 11, 2022•21 min•Ep. 6
Send us a text In today's episode, we will be discussing the all important "Pre-game". There is nothing worse than seeing a referee crew that is obviously not working well together. It is absolutely imperative that we act and communicate as a team on the pitch. Having a proper Pre-game briefing helps to ensure success and alignment no matter what may come our way. Support the show...
Sep 08, 2022•21 min•Ep. 5
Send us a text This conversation was origianaly a TikTok Live event. I loved chatting with him so much, I wanted to share it here too. We talked about what got him into being a referee and the positive mindset needed to be a referee. To correct a few notes i comments i made in the Live event, Nathan was certified in 2013 and was 18 years old at the time. This young man inspires me and I'm thrilled to get to share his story. Support the show...
Aug 28, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text This is the 2nd part of my conversation with Ted Unkel. He is a professional ref in the MLS with over 12 years in the pros. We dive into a few more key questions regarding game management. I specifically ask the foundational question "when is a foul a foul?" Support the show
Aug 28, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text An amazing conversation with one of the most well known American referees. How he began and what it's like being a professional referee. Support the show
Aug 27, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Send us a text How it all began and what is the purpose of the channel. Thank you for your support! Support the show
Aug 12, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1
