Double interview: assistant referees of Bjorn Kuipers

“If want to get attention, don’t take the flag as referee”, says Sander van Roekel during an interview right before the start of Euro 2016. Erwin Zeinstra nods affirmative. Both are assistant referees of Bjorn Kuipers during the European Championships in France. “We call it Team Kuipers. He is the key player”, says Van Roekel. “I don’t know all the players of a club, but I know who is important. That’s also the case with refereeing teams. And that is lovely.”

During the preparation for the Euro’s both assistants of Bjorn Kuipers will talk about their rol in the team, the preparation for an Euro 2016 game and they’ll share some tips for other assistant referees. Sander van Roekel has assisted Kuipers on the line for the first time in 2006 and since 2008 he’s contiously doing so. Erwin Zeinstra is part of Team Kuipers since 2011.

The matchday

The First game for Team Kuipers is on the 16^th of June 2016 when Germany plays against Poland, two “neighbours” that both have won their first game. The second game is between Croatia and Spain on the 21st of June. On the matchday the referees will have breakfast or lunch together. “During an evening game, as in the Champions League, we take a moment to rest in the afternoon”, says Zeinstra. “Everyone of us has his own way to relax.” After that they switch to game modus, adds Van Roekel.

Right before the referees will leave the hotel they have a team meeting with all the referees of the game.  They’ve watch some video’s at home or on their way to the host city in the plane or train. “We will then stress out what we expect from each other, what points deserve some attention for this specific game.” Small points as a reminder so they’ll keep focused.

Full concentration by assistant referees of Bjorn Kuipers

One and a half hour before the game Team Kuipers goes to the dressing room. Then everybody is quiet. Full concentration. That’s the ideal preparation for the team. At 21.00 CET Bjorn Kuipers whistles for the he start of Germany vs Poland. That’s when they need to be ready.

It’s difficult to keep concentrated during the whole game. “You probably can’t focus a 100% for 90 minutes”, stresses Zeinstra. “Sometimes you need to de-activate your brain, for example when the ball is far way. But when there’s another important situation coming up, for example if it’s offside or not, then you need to fully focus again.” Van Roekel says he prefers a fast game with lots of things happening. “If play goes faster up and down the field, you’ll remain focused automatically”, he says. “With a slow game I say cue words to myself to stay focused.”

The use of cue words like (focus, ball comes, etcetera) is way to stay concentrated. Check all 7 tips to stay focused for 90 minutes.

And of course both assistants experience moments they want to be more focused, says Zeinstra. In his opinion the team mates should mention that. Even if it’s about a small thing, like a throw-in for the wrong team. “That’s when it’s okay to shout something, so it keeps you sharp.”

Less offside mistakes thanks to extra assistants

The assistant referees of Bjorn Kuipers are very happy with the presence of the extra assistants behind the goal-line during the European Championships. They will focus more on the offences in the area of the assistant, roughly from the goal-line towards the middle line and from the sideline to the edge of the box. “I don’t have to pay attention to that as much”, says Zeinstra. It helps assistants to concentrate on judging whether a player is in offside position, their most important job. “With the extra assistant referees behind the goal-line we make less mistakes with offside. That was proven by the Euro 2012 stats”, adds Van Roekel.

Evaluating their performance

During half-time both assistant referees share information about how attackers are positioned and what team tactics are used. The refereeing team will also receive key decisions on their iPhones so they check if they have made the right calls

The real evaluation will be made after the game. During the World Cup in Brazil they got the video analysis on their tablets before they arrived at the airport. In France the travel distance is a bit shorter so they refereeing team can watch it back in the hotel room. Those evaluations are very important for the team to improve. “We have grown as a team”, said Bjorn Kuipers in an interview during the Euro 2016 preparation. “And being a team is what refereeing is about nowadays. Having the right people at the right places and communicating better each time.”

Development as assistant referee

Besides the development as a team, both assistants have grown in their role as well due to all training sessions and analyses. “Bjorn demands that we grow along with his performance level”, says Zeinstra, who’s working with Kuipers for five years now. “But if my level was not good enough, he would have told me.”

According to Van Roekel their biggest advantage is that they have experience as professional level as well. They did not make it to the top. “But we both have loads of experience with us because we made it to that level. I see more young AR’s and they start at much younger age. I think you would recognize situations better if you have a certain experience as referee. And if you’ve gained that experience, you can switch to a role as assistant.” Van Roekel does not referee at all any more. “I am no longer a center referee. We don’t have to follow the ball any more, we focus on the secondlast defender. That’s also why I don’t officiate friendlies any more.

Leisure time

There’s also leisure time for referees. It fits perfectly in their training, fitness and evaluation scheme. Team Kuipers has time to talk together. It will be about the same stuff, they’re from the same age and all got young children. And they will also take some time to relax. “I’ll bring a movie or a book in my suitcase”, says Van Roekel. “Maybe even my hiking shoes to walk around the lake near our hotel”. A moment to rest, away from all the attention.

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