Match officials hope for clean bill of health
As we reach the final period of this very exciting season, many teams will be hoping all their main players stay free of injury in order that clubs can field their best 11 for each game.
Well in a very similar manner, Keith Hackett, the manager of the panel of referees that are used on Premier League matches, will also be hoping for a clean bill of health for his ‘squad’ of officials.
A Premier League match is very demanding on the fitness of match officials. Every game is analysed and personally I average 12,500m of running per game.
This figure is then broken down into sub-sections that demonstrate average speed; high speed running; total sprinting over 10m; distance from the ball and distance from fouls.
This data is aligned to the players to see if I meet the tempo of the game and am in harmony with the way the players are performing.
If I am shown to be above average from the ball or from fouls (approx 18m) or my distance covered did not relate to the pattern of play, then my fitness coach will adjust my training cycle to accommodate small changes as necessary.This is coupled with the amount of games that I have and their frequency in order to minimise the physical impact on my body. It all sounds rather technical but when you look at it it’s not rocketscience and I need to be advising my coach how I feel at all times.
All this work is designed to have me at optimum fitness to meet the demands of the game and if it means I spend three days a week resting then so be it, your body needs time to recover.
As you get older this is far more important, however don’t believe the reports on my age as stated in one of the Sunday papers last week, contrary to popular belief I have not reached the age of 50!
In parallel with all the fitness work, we are encouraged to ‘warm’ down after each exercise, this helps to ease the aches and pains you get in your muscles by removing lactic acids, etc.
The intake of fluids is very important and small but frequent sips of water (not alcohol!) are recommended so that I remain hydrated at all times.
As I have said before, I have a chart that demonstrates by the colour of your wee if you are hydrated or not. Basically the lighter your wee the more hydrated you are. All this is provided so that Keith can have all his officials performing and more importantly performing at a crucial time of the season. See you at the gym.
* I am in charge of the match between Portsmouth v Everton this Saturday. Live on Sky.
