REFEREE COACHING

The G.R.O.W. Model is a simple yet powerful framework for structuring coaching conversations and written reports. As a coach, when you arm yourself with this proven technique you unlock the athlete's ability to grow not only as a referee but also as a person.

As a referee, when you arm yourself with this proven technique you become the master of your own destiny. You are able to OWN your own growth and development. A good way of thinking about the G.R.O.W Model is to think about how you'd plan a journey.

A good way of thinking about the G.R.O.W Model is to think about how you'd plan a journey.

G. First, you decide where you are going (the goal),

R. You establish where you currently are (your current reality),

O. You then explore various routes (the options) to your destination

W. In the final step, (way forward), you ensure that you're committed to making the journey, and are prepared for the obstacles that you could meet on the way.

See below for more information about the GROW Model  


GOAL

As part of your pre-game routine the referee shares their goals via chat/email to their referee coach/reviewer. Try and limit to three goals for your game, this should include the details of the fixture. 

Referee needs to be specific (see diagram). These three things are what the referee coach will observe during the game and talked about in the GROW conversation after the game. If the referee coach/reviewer doesn't the goals for a match then you should STOP the process.

During the game the referee coach will take notes on the referees goals which will trigger the conversation after the game. 

REALITY

The G.R.O.W model requires both parties to have time to reflect for some time (24-48 hours) before meeting to discuss the game. During this time, the referee is afforded the opportunity to download their thoughts and feelings on the game, around the goals, make notes on examples of situations and be prepared for when the G.R.O.W model conversation is had with the referee coach.

Both the referee and the referee coach should agree to a time to meet (in person or over the phone) to discuss the game.

OPTIONAL: Prior to the G.R.O.W. MODEL conversation, the referee can start to complete the Referee Self Review and Coach feedback form with their thoughts and feelings, that way they can go into the conversation with their coach with some ideas already documented.

The referee coach questions the referee around their understanding of their reality of their performance, based on their goals. The referee coach seeks the referee's views/feelings to see what self-awareness they have.

- ask questions without judging- listen to understand (not to provide solutions) take notes- coach connects to the referee and vice versa- remove interference and build confidence

During this process, the referee coach repeats back to the referee what they're hearing (paraphrasing) and continues by asking, "AND WHAT ELSE?" This continues until the referee and the referee coach have fully explored in depth the referee's understanding of their reality.

OPTIONS

​​​​​​​Once both parties are comfortable that clarity has been achieved on the referee's understanding of their reality from the match, the conversation turns to exploring all possible options. Again, through questioning, the referee coach draws out of the referee what options could the referee employ the next time they referee.

The referee coach listens and repeats back to the referee (paraphrasing).

Again this step is continued until all possible options are fully explored and examined.

Depending on the experience of the referee, there may need to be some "instructional" assistance provided to the referee by the referee coach. This should only be used as a last resort, if during the conversation it's clear that the referee cannot provide any tangible options to move themselves forward.

WAY FORWARD. 

In the final step, you ensure that you're committed to making the journey, and are prepared for the obstacles that you could meet on the way.

Here the referee and referee coach agree on one, two or three "work ons" for their next game, including:

- what they're going to do,

- how they're going to do it,

- why they've chosen that course of action,

- how this work on can be measured- any possible obstacles that will need to be overcome.

In previous models of referee coaching, the coach would observe the referee during a match, sometimes without the referee even aware that they were being observed. No communication between the referee and referee coach had occurred prior to the match, so chances are, the referee had set no goals for the match, or if they had, these weren't communicated to the referee coach.

Using the G.R.O.W Model the referee is FRONT AND CENTRE of the entire process.

To view or download the G.R.O.W Model resourse booklet please click here