Our Blogs
Controlling Yourself Before You Can Control Others
Recall a time when, during a football match, you saw a player (or players) lose their composure and control. One type of incident that comes to mind is the so-called ‘mass brawl’; a cluster of players, frustrated, angry and primed for physical competition acting in a...
A look back and how things have changed.
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. With no live football on television, l was recently invited to appear on Talksport’ s Hawksbee and Jacobs show. This was to discuss a recent showing on television of the 1979 FA Cup game between...
Soccer Six football – A walk down memory lane
Some years ago, when English clubs were not qualifying for the European Competitions with the regularity that they are today, or the F.A. Premier League had not been thought about, the football visionaries felt that an indoor tournament for Football League clubs was...
Advice on applying the use of advantage
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. I was a referee who just loved to apply advantage in order to keep the game flowing at pace and to allow players the opportunity to use their skills against the opposition. The more experience of my...
1-2-3 Stepped Management Process
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. REFEREES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY THE 1,2, & 3 STEPPED PROCESS WHEN MANAGING PLAYERS. Before I write this article, I will always encourage referees to apply the law and not to shirk from the...
Referee Body Language
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee One area of your performance that I want you to give consideration to is your Body Language which is the art of non-verbal communication Some years ago, I was surprised when a Sports Psychologist in a...
Warm-up procedure prior to kick off
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. When I appointed Prof Matt Weston to become the Sports Scientist for the PGMOL he rightly took control of all the training and put in place regimes to affect a lifestyle change in our match officials....
The movement patterns of top referees
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee Sir Stanley Rous who became the sixth President of FIFA made a major contribution to football by rewriting the Laws of the game in1938, making them simpler and easier to understand. He was also the...
A brilliant podcast by Peter Gray with Keith Hackett
Please click on the icons below to listen to the Podcast by Peter Gray with Keith Hackett. Podcast hosted by @pwgray @realfootymatter talking & hopefully making people smile about REAL football : non league, semipro, amateur & grassroots. Interviewing REAL...
While We Are Social Distancing, Referees Should Think About the ‘Social Payoff’
Sports are a social situation. They take place with others and in front of others. This is part of their appeal; players enjoy the camaraderie, fans quench their thirst for tribal belonging and coaches satisfy desires to influence others. Hence self-isolation is...
Fair or foul challenges – see, recognise think act
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. I was asked through social media to explain and highlight ways in which referees can improve their performances. I so believe that one aspect of law interpretation that creates controversy is how a...
Management of Penalty Kick Situations
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee regarding managing Penalty Kick situations and the surrounding situations. AIMS To ensure match officials apply LAW 14 consistently and correctly To review knowledge and understanding To give advice on...
The Role of the Referee Coach
Sportsmen and women, around the globe, have become accustomed to support from coaches, in their specific sports, in order to enhance their performance as they strive for excellence. Referees, at all levels of the game are no different, and they need to have quality...
IFAB Law Changes of the Season 2020/21 Explained by Keith Hackett
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee that is hot off the press to identify and explain the new IFAB laws of the Game. Welcome to HACKETTS BLOG to highlight the LAW CHANGES FOR SEASON 2020/21 (even though we do not know what is the outcome...
Welcome to Refereeing by Rookie Referee
Here is my first blog about my experiences in becoming a Referee over the last year. As a child I never participated in football however I have a younger brother who plays in a grassroots team and we also started to follow a local championship team. After watching my...
How are referees keeping fit in this COVID 19 situation?
There has been a big deal made about how professional sportsmen and sportswomen are maintaining the elite level of fitness expected of them. And this also applies to referees.
Whether you are a Premier League or grassroots referee, this blog post can contain information and tips on how to stay fit.
What are referees worldwide doing to keep on top of their fitness during the pandemic? This blog post explains.
The difference between dreams and reality
This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. We take up refereeing to be involved in our great game and can derive a great deal of pleasure and health benefits by our involvement. Our aim must always be to improve and give our best when we cross...
Name that Referee quiz!
The game is Name that Referee. So it’s a 4-3-3 system but who gets the nod? Send your answers to mail@keystoreferee.com or give us comments. GK Now retired, he was once compared by Fergie to a butcher’s dog RB Makem who has made it to...
My Favourite Referee Footballing 11
Here is my Referee Footballing team... By Roger Dilkes Goalkeeper Trevor Simpson Ex Halifax No 1 – The Cat 2 Roger Dilkes Terrier in...
Referees, Confidence and Arrogance
Referees, Confidence and Arrogance To understand more about refereeing I decided to put my money where my mouth was and become a qualified official. I enjoyed every minute of the training and meeting not only my fellow trainees but my assessors too. Their experience...