Exercise for assistant referees
An interesting exercise for assistant referees. I get questions about fitness tips a lot, but I am not a fitness instructor. Luckily I got the chance to speak with some international referees and they share their tips. Because of that, you can become better and train like some of the pro’s.
“My favourite exercises are ones that are specific to my role as an AR. Over time I have developed my training from Fartlek running (walk/sprint) to incorporate my movements during a high intensity match.”
Improving the performance
“One session I complete on a weekly basis is perform sideways running for 30 seconds then turn and sprint at maximum pace for 30 seconds – alternating these two movements for a total of 20 minutes without break. It does not take up much time but I find I will generally cover 4,400m during the session.”
“This has directly increased my Ariet fitness test results and improved my performance on the field. It trains my body to become so accustomed to the sideways running that it considers it a natural movement and maximises my opportunity to stay in line with the secondlast defender throughout the 90 minutes.”
Your own training
A good thing to ask yourself: How do you train yourself? What schedule do you make for yourself? Make sure your training has a clear purpose.
Want to read more about the importance of fitness? Check the interview with Dutch pro referee fitness coach Hilco de Boer.
7 Comments
Garfield Whaul
Thanks for the training tip for ARs, would like to have some more integrated exercise tips for referees.
Jan ter Harmsel
Sorry for the late response. You would like general tips or a training schedule?
Garfield Whaul
Good day I will like referee drills. Thanls
Massimo
Hi Jan!
Have you got some training schedules for assistant referees?
This exercise is interesting, even if I think that a 30 second-sprint is not suitable because it is too prolonged.
Massimo
Jan ter Harmsel
Here’s an example that works well in a 1 hour session.
Belachew Yetayew
I would like to appreciate your effort for all over the world referees to improve there skills.
So, I would be happy if you send me some integrated exercises for refs assistants .
Jan ter Harmsel
I am not educated as a fitness expert and don’t create new fitness programmes. Better check this with someone who studied for this. Of course you can always find some nice and useful exercises on my website DutchReferee.com.