The Referee's Survival Guide (Paperback)

by Jeffrey Caminsky (Author)
Key Phrases: penal foul, club linesman, beginning referee, Laws of the Game, The Beautiful Game (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A fantastic new referee book...highly recommended" by renowned English referee Julian Carosi. --Julian Carosi, The Corsham Referee

"A very comprehensive and thorough piece of work....good sound and practical common sense advice for referees....I am very impressed."---David Ager, author of The Soccer Referee's Manual --David Ager, author of The Soccer Referee's Manual

"You have put into one publication a life-time of experiences, astute observations and practical advice to encourage any official to soldier on....The contents are worthy of a place in every instructor's arsenal of teaching material....Congratulations! Your work deserves great success."---Stanley Lover, author of Soccer Rules Explained and Soccer Match Control --Stanley Lover, author of Soccer Rules Explained and Soccer Match Control

Product Description
The Referee's Survival Guide, a new book on soccer officiating by veteran soccer referee Jeff Caminsky, has the answers to many of a referee's typical problems on the pitch. Clearly written and easy to understand, The Referee's Survival Guide explains many of the "what's," "how's," "who's," and "why's" of life on the soccer field...as well as many of the things for a soccer official to avoid. Whether you're interested in training or getting better as an official, learning where to be on the field, how to handle crowds and players, or applying the rules in a common-sense manner, The Referee's Survival Guide offers something for every soccer referee.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: New Alexandria Press; 1st edition (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979010608
• ISBN-13: 978-0979010606
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #649,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb guide!, August 9, 2007

By	P. Derrickson (Bear, DE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a first year referee, this book has been invaluable to me. I have been able to apply many of Jeffrey Caminsky's tips. If you are a new referee, or wish to enhance your current skills, read this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the beginning referee, May 15, 2008

By	Michael S. Owens (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a tremendous book for the beginning soccer referee. Like a mentor, Jeffrey Caminsky does an excellent job of letting the new referee know what to expect, how to be a referee, and all the other things that they don't teach you in class. This book is full of good advice and addresses a lot of the situations that I had been unclear or unsure about during my first twenty-five matches and had to learn the hard way. This book is also very readable; not a dry treatise on Laws of the Game. Caminsky has a sly wit that he reveals on occasion to keep things interesting.

For the intermediate referee, there are some "best practices" that can be drawn out; for example, the section on match control or some of the nonverbal communication techniques for use with ARs.

Advanced referees would be better suited with Evans & Bellion's "For the Good of the Game", an outstanding book in its own right but one that requires much more experience to fully appreciate. I read Evans & Bellion first, then Caminsky. Having now read both, I wish I had started with Caminsky first, then as I gained game experience, moved up to Evans & Bellion.

This book should be part of every new referee's starter kit.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true survival guide, March 23, 2008

By	Brian Jones (Los Angeles, Center of the Universe) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I truly enjoyed this book. While it does have some useful tidbits for the experienced referee, I think that its greatest impact will be for the new or beginning referee.

This book will help referees understand the traditions and meaning of the game from the referee standpoint; case in point: Two instances of deliberate handling of the ball. One, the keeper strays outside the penalty area whilst booting the ball downfied. Two, the keeper reaches outside the penalty area to scoop up the ball with his hand and breaks up an attack. Both can be penalized with a direct free kick but, but which infraction requires that play be stopped?

The beginning referee will say "BOTH!", but the author recommends that, since the keeper really gets no significant advantage by using an extra few inches to send the ball downfield a verbal warning may be the best result - while breaking up an attack truly deserves the free kick.

It is these insights that I feel are well told. I liked the genial tone and amusing byplay of the book, and truly recommend it!