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As a referee do you have football different accessories are needed, some are strictly necessary and others are easy to have with you.
To purchase referee accessories you can scroll down, here you will find everything you need.
For purchasing referee clothing, look at our page with referee clothing. This page is all about the different attributes you may need when whistling a match.
These are the main accessories that a referee may need:
I will cover them in more detail below. The why, where you can buy them and what you can do with them and many more different accessories that can make your life as a referee a lot more pleasant.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Referee Whistle
The referee's whistle is the most important accessory. Nowadays almost all referees use whistles without a ball in them such as the Tornado or the Fox 40.
This is because they cannot be rendered useless by external factors such as mud, rain or cold.
The flutes also produce a much louder sound without a ball.
We discuss the most commonly used flutes in our separate blog post about flutes. We have the ACME Tornado 2000. This flute is used by UEFA and FIFA and is the world's loudest flute at 122 Decibels.
The middle one is the Fox 40 Classic and is also used by many referees, as well as a normal whistle with a ball.
I have written a separate page with all information about the referee whistle and my top pick.
Yellow and red cards
No referee likes to have to give cards in football, but unfortunately it is often necessary.
Some umpires cut the cards a bit smaller to make them more manageable.
Often the cards are relatively large and clumsy because they do not fit nicely in pockets, so many arbitrators cut off an edge of the cards.
Some referees also have a folder in which they put the cards and the notepad. These folders are widely available at sports stores like these.
The cards must be bright in order to be clearly visible to the players.
Of course, they must be able to see clearly at once what your judgment has been about their violation, even from a great distance.
Score block
Carrying a score pad and pen/pencil is very important for writing down goals, cards and substitutions. This is one of those things that you carry with you all the time.
Official KNVB score blocks from referees can be ordered at local KNVB branches.
It also contains all codes for warnings and red cards so that they are easy to note. Also take a look at this page for alternative scorecards developed by fellow referee!
This way you can note exactly in which part of the halves goals and/or cards have been awarded so that confusion can never arise again.
Alternative Note Cards
As a referee, pen and paper are indispensable during the match. Most referees use the standard score block that the KNVB itself uses and has available for referees.
However, many referees do not find this standard score block very convenient to use because it is very small and because you cannot store all the information properly on it.
Writing down all bills and cards often requires more than one piece of paper from this block.
To remedy this, various referees have developed their own score card that could contain all this information and that also keeps everything clear.
I was able to get these alternative scorecards on the internet and through a number of other referees and personally I think they are very beautiful!
Do you also recognize this problem and do you also want to use a different scorecard, take a look at the following documents (pdf files).
Don't forget to share this page with fellow referees so that they can also use these handy cards if they want to!
Alternative Scorecards:
note cards
With these handy cards you can also keep track of the scores and the handing out of cards to keep track of the game progress.
These are the attributes you should in any case have, whatever items you also want to purchase to make your life easier.
The note cards conveniently fit in your notepad again so you have everything to hand in the heat of battle. I have ... myself this handy plug-in folder here bought it if you are also interested.
You can not only register the course of the game on the note cards, but everything around the game. For example, you note:
- which team wears which shirt color
- which team kicked off
- who plays out and who at home
- in which minute a goal was scored, per half
- which substitutions have already taken place, including their back numbers
Just try to memorize it all. You certainly sometimes forget who had the first kick-off, or which player was already substituted in the first half and can't come back now.
Referee Etui
The handy pouch is where the above equipment comes in. A handy folder to keep everything together.
Indispensable to ensure that you do not forget to take anything with you and that you have everything within reach. You have official ones from the KNVB.
It is a sturdy case which is secured with Velcro on the front as well as with a zipper on the back. Each accessory has its own slip pocket for direct access.
Also on the inside is a push button for an extra compartment with some loose items so that they do not fall out.
this pencil case offers enough space for all the loose items that you have to carry with you. This way you can store your note cards in it, but you also have room for your pen or pencil and your cards (which you hopefully won't need!)
switchboard
Do you think you should buy an electronic exchange board right away? No Fortunately not. There are handy ways to still be able to show the figures of the substitutes, without having to make a large investment.
With a substitution board you can indicate that a player is going to be substituted. At a substitution, a player always comes on the field, in the place of another who is playing at that moment.
For that reason, there are two colors to indicate both. Usually:
- the jersey number of the player who is going to leave indicated in red
- the jersey number of the player who enters it indicated in yellow
The beauty of a substitution board is that, in addition to indicating the substitutes, you can also use it to indicate how much extra time will be played before half-time, or at the end of the second half.
There are two variants available:
- a manual switchboard
- an electronic board
Manual Switch Board
The manual board uses plastic squares that you can each turn over. Just like with a digital clock, you make a number of these cells by “coloring” some and not others.
This way you can compose all digits from 0 to 99 and thus make any back number combination. A manual switchboard is a lot cheaper than an electronic one and therefore extremely suitable for amateur competitions.
You have variants where you can display one back number at a time. I always advise to buy one where you can show the number of the incoming players as well as the outgoing player.
This saves a lot of extra changing the numbers and looks a lot more professional. A good reflection on your football club.
Electronic switch board
In higher class matches in professional football, an electronic substitution board is often used.
By choosing this variant you are a lot faster with putting together the numbers because you can enter them.
Sure, the more you use the plastic board, the more adept you get at flipping the right boxes, it's still an excellent choice.
But in top sport, things move a little faster, and you can't wait for the crucial moment for everything to be in place to make a substitution between two players.
An advantage of the electronic boards is their bright LED lights. These give a view of the board up to 100 meters.
This is far enough for players, coaches and of course referees, as well as the public.
Another advantage of these professional signs is the ability to display advertisements on the bottom, and often the back, of the sign.
You could sell these places to local or national sponsors who want to connect their business to football. A professional appearance for both club and sponsor!
It is a considerable investment for a referee, but perhaps more an expense for the association itself, which can see it as an investment in the appearance of the club.
They last a very long time and have a two-year warranty on all parts, which makes it possible to amortize the investment over a longer period of time.
Referee spray
For a while it was what everyone was talking about. What are those cans of spray foam that referees carry with them? I've never seen that!
By now everyone knows what it is for:
Referee spray is used to mark a location on the field, usually for the taking of a free kick, and comes from an aerosol can that the referee carries.
It is a foamy substance that disappears after a few minutes without leaving a trace.
It is used both to mark from where the free kick should be taken and to indicate where the wall may position itself. In this way it is immediately (and permanently) visible whether the players adhere to the instructions.
Within a few minutes the stuff is gone so it doesn't get in the way of play or other free kicks. That would just be confusing. It is therefore also called vanishing spray.
Easily delivered and I always keep a stash at home to carry one in my gym bag.
How to use the referee spray:
An amateur soccer player (Pablo Silva) invented it in Argentina after he was once injured in a game by a wall of players who had sneaked closer.
He missed his important direct free kick as a result. At least, that's how he experienced it at the time.
Due to his journalist status in the country, he was also able to get his invention to the attention of the right people and so the stuff was soon used in bigger competitions.
The vanishing spray consists of:
- water
- buthane
- surfactant
The surfactant ensures that when the pressure is released it comes out like a foam, just like with shaving cream.
Check prices and availability here
coin toss
There is always a toss to start the match. Any coin with 2 different sides can be used for this.
The KNVB has temporarily had black and white toss coins available, but these are no longer in stock. There are, however, still toss coins for sale at many different web shops / stores, like here at footballshop.nl
In any case, it is important that both players can clearly see what has become. A normal coin is actually not enough, you will have to take a closer look at it.
The KNVB coin is made of metal with official KNVB expressions on it. It is clear to see what the toss has become because one side is orange and the other side is black.
Referee Watch
Now let's get a little more technical. The first is a referee watch. This is also followed by information about the possible use of a headset.
Of course you have to keep an eye on the time so a watch is necessary. It is advisable to use a digital watch or a stopwatch.
In this way you can simply increase the stopwatch per half to 45:00 and stop the time when there is a long delay due to, for example, injuries.
There are specific referee watches (see shop below) such as the Spintso.
Read all about referee watches in the separate article I wrote about it. Such as what to look out for and which one is the best buy.
Referees stopwatch
If you perhaps do not want to purchase an entire watch with all the associated features, there is also the choice to take a stopwatch.
With a cord you can conveniently hang it around and use it when you need it. An accessible way to keep track of time and also a very affordable one.
The brand to go for here is Stanno and you can choose two models, the:
- Stanno Professional Stopwatch (at the moment €27,50)
- Stanno stopwatch (at the moment €16,99)
A very handy option for amateur competitions.
Referee Headset
A headset can be very useful for referees, assistants and linesmen to communicate with each other continuously. Read more about it on our referee headsets page.
beep flags
Beep flags can also be quite an investment and are usually done by the association. You can also rent them and if you only use them occasionally, this can be the most economical choice.
Beep flags are also referred to as “referee paging systems”. A synonym is also simply “electronic linesman flags”.
I don't have them myself, although it is useful. I just bought normal ones myself, I think you can get them for under 20 euros.
Part of the more professional appearance and game supervision of major matches are the electronic tools that the arbiters have at their disposal.
One of those help items are the beep flags. The slightly larger clubs occasionally have these available in order to offer their arbiters every opportunity to develop themselves further, including in the use of the new techniques that they have at their disposal today.
How do the beep flags work?
The set includes:
- two flags
- two electronic handles for the linesmen
- a receiver for the referee
Because the flags are connected to the receiver, the linesmen can communicate more easily with the referee about important game elements.
You want to be able to make decisions as quickly as possible, and the clear communication that this system offers provides the necessary support.
The receiver can attach the referee to his wrist and is very light. It is a bracelet that emits a vibration signal and tone that the linesman sends with his handle.
The bracelet can be adjusted in volume so that you can hear it perfectly, while at the same time not disturbing other players.
KNVB Referee Badge
If you have completed a KNVB referee course, you will receive a badge from the KNVB. This shows that you are a certified referee and can be attached to your shirt.
If you want a new badge or a 2nd badge for a different shirt, you can order it from the KNVB for € 2,40 each plus € 0,50 postage.
Referee Bag
You also need a sturdy bag to take all your new equipment with you. One that is stately and shows that you walk into the association with the strings firmly in your hands.
Because I whistle quite a lot myself and I'm on the road a lot, I recently got a trolley purchased. A sports bag, but also with wheels underneath.
Saves a lot of hassle though. This is the Reece I bought, not the most expensive but a very sturdy bag that you can easily take with you.
(Referees wristband (wristband)
A wristband is very useful for a referee to have. Many use it for sweat or at least for aesthetic value, to have a watch band not only on one wrist, but on both.
However, there is also a wrist strap with a cord where you can easily attach your whistle so as not to lose it.
You'll always need it close at hand, so the most logical place to keep it close is your hand and wrist.
The last time it was on sale for less than €5,- (check the latest price here)
Also read our article for a good ball for your club . buy the right soccer goal
Apurchasing referee accessories
Do your muscles hurt after a competition? also watch our article for the best foam rollers
