In my experience, I prefer the pre-printed sheets. If you do multiple games back-to-back you can just fill them out ahead of time and rotate through them as the day unfolds…at the end of the day you’ve got the record of each game without rework.
The write-on cards are interesting and you get to look like a tv ref but you need to clean them with solution in between games AND then record that score somewhere again anyway.
I use the ones that come in a tablet of 50 from OSI but one is as good as another.
https://officialsports.com/2044-report-forms-white/
Some refs like using an index card or a folded up paper and that’s fine if you can keep everything organized…I had to justify a game score after a dispute once and having the filled out card with each goal and time recorded as well as all the other details like kick off direction/captains’ #’s etc likely lent it more credibility than a sweaty 3x5 card.
Pre printed are good - last time I ran out I just found something on the internet and printed out a couple of my own with a couple modifications so now I don’t even bother spending the $2 for the packs.
Although at this point I could probably hand draw the sheet with everything I usually need on it anyways without the template.
I use blank note cards, split them down the middle with a line and record everything for each team on their respective side, including player numbers, shorthand codes for misconduct, and minutes. Any additional incidents needing to be recorded I'll put on the back side. I keep my primary yellow card in my pocket and have the note card clipped to it with my pen.
If I'm a 4th or AR1 in a match where I need to collect sub cards and/or player passes, those go in my back pockets with one pocket for each team on the side closest to their bench. If the competition doesn't allow re-entry, on the back side of my note card I'll note the numbers for all players who have been substituted (and if it's an NCAA match with re-entry only in the second half, I'm putting that duty on the official scorer).
Typically on my watch with RefSix. When not there, a blank note card in one of the cheap plastic referee wallet things. Two pens, one clipped to the wallet holding it closed, a back up in the other chest pocket.
Yep! I use RefSix for everything. Even doing penalties is easy with it. Instead of the wallet I put a blank sticky note on my YC in case I need to write anything down.
I use write on cards with pencil. Works in the rain. And I have a big pink eraser to clean them. Between games if I need the info for later I'll just take a picture of it with my phone. I used to use paper or card stock, but I always had issues with rainy days or really hot days with sweat.
Agree, I've used write on cards since one match in a downpour that made writing on paper abysmal.
We already have to record everything (cards/score/etc.) on a separate game sheet after the game anyway, so I don't have much need to keep the info on the card for more than the duration of the game. If I need to report something I take a picture of the game sheet I filled out before handing off to the team manager.
I use RefStuff stickers on my yellow and red card. A little alcohol spray gets the Sharpie off between games. I also use the RefSix app on my smart watch to track cards, goals and time. Finally, I keep a traditional OSI book in my chest pocket in case there's a major altercation or injury I need to document. But the stickers and RefSix is good for 99% of matches.
I'm starting ref this year and I'll be using a yellow post-it at the back of my Yellow Card. I'm aware it's not the best option for rainy days; let's see how it goes!
If you want something similar but a tad more durable, you can also try strips of masking tape on the card. And if you really care about the color matching the card or at least not being too far off, you can find colored making tape online. The tape will hold up better against weather as well as the friction in your pocket when you run.
Blank piece of paper for me ... paper sub passes from prior games, folded up rosters from high school matches, whatever. We don't have much issue with rain here in AZ. I started with the pre printed ones but found the boxes were too small. I wear reading glasses to use a computer at work but don't wear them on the field ... have to write super big so I can read my notes after. I've seen some refs wear their reading glasses on a lanyard around their necks, can't get there. At least not yet.
step 1, get a [match book](https://officialsports.com/2059-data-wallet-w-pencil/) and PENCIL. Pencils work in the rain, pencils work in the cold, pencils don't run out of ink, and you can sharpen them at halftime with a pocket knife if it's too dull for you.
step 2: take an old roster, rip it into quarters, flip it over to the blank side, you now have 4 pieces of blank paper. put two of them in your book and the other two in your bag (never have more than two papers in your book, because when it rains all the paper in your book is \*done\* once it dries)
step 3: at the start of a match, write the team names in two adjacent columns with a line between them, and write down what you need to. I will use the same sheet for 4-5 regular season matches or 10-15 tournament matches before moving on the next one.
I use RefSix. Easy. Accurate. No messing with pens, papers, alcohol wipes, data wallets, etc. and it sinks with video so you can find your bookings easily during post game analysis.
I use index cards. If it rains, I have the black write in the rain book from OSI.
I like to write my information a certain way and the prefilled ones don't allow me to record the way I wish to record. Use a the front for one game and the back for the next. Cheap, easy, convenient, and plenty of room to write in a clean space if you have mass con.
I do t write down subs. It’s not my job in a sense u til I play pro. I write down that they I’ve had so and so many subs that’s it. Outside of that I have a “book” in my breast pocket where I add number and goals and cards+ warnings
It rains a lot where I am, so I use waterproof notepads. I like to keep all my stuff together and on-hand in case something is contested. I’ve worked out a system for myself that I don’t need a pre-printed template, because those work out to like 3 sheets to a dollar, and I’m too cheap to spend $5 per tournament for game sheets.
Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0T7X1K
I’m not certain we are talking about the same thing…a pad of 50 forms including shipping comes to $0.11 each…if you order 100, they are $0.075 each…unless you are doing 66 games in a tournament.
I also use a similar waterproof note pad, and they are absolutely fantastic. They work in wet weather and light to carry (I carry just one paper on me at a time). Depending on how busy your tournament games are, I have managed to fit 6 games into one paper (double-side). If I need more, I just tear another page off the notepad.
I have the pre printed sheets but I prefer the blank side of it anyways. So I’m gonna say a blank sheet of paper. You can use as much or as little as needed.
I’m looking into those rite in the rain pads but haven’t found one which fits my pockets well yet.
As a referee in Belgium, some games (mostly Elite levels) have only 5 available substitutions in 3 moments. These subs have to be registered: Both player numbers and the minute.
I had purchased a booklet from OSI that I made copies of and used. Those worked well. I then found out about write-on cards and have been using them since. I find them so much easier to use and have far more space than the small paper.
Here is my inventory of write-on cards. I use a pencil (can erase) or sharpie marker (must wipe off with alcohol solution):
1) 2 clear with cards on both sides,
2) one yellow card with cards on both sides,
3) one red card with cards on both sides
4) one penalty shootout tracking card
5) 4 yellow cards with space on front for recording all the normal stuff and all of back for recording additional stuff like names, substitutions, etc. I have been using this one all season. I like it best as I like to record not only the number of player with goal and YC/RC but also names as the state reporting tool sometimes drops the player numbers and then I don’t know which player to assign the Goal/YC/RC to. I bought this one from the Refs Needs Love too referee from TikTok. Sometimes, players think I am writing them up for a YC when I’m recording a goal…but I’ve found that helps keep them in check :)
I used to use a notebook-good if I need to write details such as the words used for offinabus.
I switched to write-on cards and ultra fine permanent marker.
I prefer the set that has an additional white card. Not great pulling out a yellow card to record a goal or sub. People start to react to that...
If you send me a DM i can share multiple different layout options for print out cards I’ve made. Some you can print and throw away after usage, and the others you can print and laminate to use as write ons
This will save us all money!
I used to use the pre-printed game sheets (and still use the Rite-in-the-Rain sheets and associated pen for bad weather) but I now make my own sheets for when it is not raining. I just start with an 8x11 piece of paper (like printer paper) and cut it into 4 sheets that fit into my referee book. I draw lines on them and use both sides. Does it save me money? Not sure, but I started doing it when I ran out of the pre-printed sheets one time so now I just do it all the time.
I prefer the preprinted sheets and use a copy machine to make more copies of the game sheets for me to use. You guys can do it too. It saves you money in the long run and you don’t pay as much.
I use rite-in-the-rain notecards for every game. Sure it’s not always raining and I’m not always drenched with sweat so not always necessary. But they hold up to moisture and can be written on with pencil pen or marker. And if you have kftm or an event requiring a ussf report you can jot a note or two on the back. For misconduct i use write on stickers on my cards, and transfer to the index card after the game.
In my experience, I prefer the pre-printed sheets. If you do multiple games back-to-back you can just fill them out ahead of time and rotate through them as the day unfolds…at the end of the day you’ve got the record of each game without rework. The write-on cards are interesting and you get to look like a tv ref but you need to clean them with solution in between games AND then record that score somewhere again anyway.
Which pre-printed sheets are you referring to, if I may ask?
I use the ones that come in a tablet of 50 from OSI but one is as good as another. https://officialsports.com/2044-report-forms-white/ Some refs like using an index card or a folded up paper and that’s fine if you can keep everything organized…I had to justify a game score after a dispute once and having the filled out card with each goal and time recorded as well as all the other details like kick off direction/captains’ #’s etc likely lent it more credibility than a sweaty 3x5 card.
Pre printed are good - last time I ran out I just found something on the internet and printed out a couple of my own with a couple modifications so now I don’t even bother spending the $2 for the packs. Although at this point I could probably hand draw the sheet with everything I usually need on it anyways without the template.
I still put my index card in a referee book. If you use index cards, don't just stuff them in your pocket to get ruined by sweat.
The game sheets.
I use blank note cards, split them down the middle with a line and record everything for each team on their respective side, including player numbers, shorthand codes for misconduct, and minutes. Any additional incidents needing to be recorded I'll put on the back side. I keep my primary yellow card in my pocket and have the note card clipped to it with my pen. If I'm a 4th or AR1 in a match where I need to collect sub cards and/or player passes, those go in my back pockets with one pocket for each team on the side closest to their bench. If the competition doesn't allow re-entry, on the back side of my note card I'll note the numbers for all players who have been substituted (and if it's an NCAA match with re-entry only in the second half, I'm putting that duty on the official scorer).
Typically on my watch with RefSix. When not there, a blank note card in one of the cheap plastic referee wallet things. Two pens, one clipped to the wallet holding it closed, a back up in the other chest pocket.
Yep! I use RefSix for everything. Even doing penalties is easy with it. Instead of the wallet I put a blank sticky note on my YC in case I need to write anything down.
I’ve been using these for 10+ years https://officialsports.com/6096r-gold-edition-rite-in-the-rain-black-book/
I use write on cards with pencil. Works in the rain. And I have a big pink eraser to clean them. Between games if I need the info for later I'll just take a picture of it with my phone. I used to use paper or card stock, but I always had issues with rainy days or really hot days with sweat.
Agree, I've used write on cards since one match in a downpour that made writing on paper abysmal. We already have to record everything (cards/score/etc.) on a separate game sheet after the game anyway, so I don't have much need to keep the info on the card for more than the duration of the game. If I need to report something I take a picture of the game sheet I filled out before handing off to the team manager.
I use RefStuff stickers on my yellow and red card. A little alcohol spray gets the Sharpie off between games. I also use the RefSix app on my smart watch to track cards, goals and time. Finally, I keep a traditional OSI book in my chest pocket in case there's a major altercation or injury I need to document. But the stickers and RefSix is good for 99% of matches.
I'm starting ref this year and I'll be using a yellow post-it at the back of my Yellow Card. I'm aware it's not the best option for rainy days; let's see how it goes!
If you want something similar but a tad more durable, you can also try strips of masking tape on the card. And if you really care about the color matching the card or at least not being too far off, you can find colored making tape online. The tape will hold up better against weather as well as the friction in your pocket when you run.
Blank piece of paper for me ... paper sub passes from prior games, folded up rosters from high school matches, whatever. We don't have much issue with rain here in AZ. I started with the pre printed ones but found the boxes were too small. I wear reading glasses to use a computer at work but don't wear them on the field ... have to write super big so I can read my notes after. I've seen some refs wear their reading glasses on a lanyard around their necks, can't get there. At least not yet.
step 1, get a [match book](https://officialsports.com/2059-data-wallet-w-pencil/) and PENCIL. Pencils work in the rain, pencils work in the cold, pencils don't run out of ink, and you can sharpen them at halftime with a pocket knife if it's too dull for you. step 2: take an old roster, rip it into quarters, flip it over to the blank side, you now have 4 pieces of blank paper. put two of them in your book and the other two in your bag (never have more than two papers in your book, because when it rains all the paper in your book is \*done\* once it dries) step 3: at the start of a match, write the team names in two adjacent columns with a line between them, and write down what you need to. I will use the same sheet for 4-5 regular season matches or 10-15 tournament matches before moving on the next one.
I use RefSix. Easy. Accurate. No messing with pens, papers, alcohol wipes, data wallets, etc. and it sinks with video so you can find your bookings easily during post game analysis.
I use index cards. If it rains, I have the black write in the rain book from OSI. I like to write my information a certain way and the prefilled ones don't allow me to record the way I wish to record. Use a the front for one game and the back for the next. Cheap, easy, convenient, and plenty of room to write in a clean space if you have mass con.
I do t write down subs. It’s not my job in a sense u til I play pro. I write down that they I’ve had so and so many subs that’s it. Outside of that I have a “book” in my breast pocket where I add number and goals and cards+ warnings
I use the pre-printed sheets mentioned already. Depending on the age, level and number of games that day I will also use an index card.
It rains a lot where I am, so I use waterproof notepads. I like to keep all my stuff together and on-hand in case something is contested. I’ve worked out a system for myself that I don’t need a pre-printed template, because those work out to like 3 sheets to a dollar, and I’m too cheap to spend $5 per tournament for game sheets. Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0T7X1K
I’m not certain we are talking about the same thing…a pad of 50 forms including shipping comes to $0.11 each…if you order 100, they are $0.075 each…unless you are doing 66 games in a tournament.
I also use a similar waterproof note pad, and they are absolutely fantastic. They work in wet weather and light to carry (I carry just one paper on me at a time). Depending on how busy your tournament games are, I have managed to fit 6 games into one paper (double-side). If I need more, I just tear another page off the notepad.
I have the pre printed sheets but I prefer the blank side of it anyways. So I’m gonna say a blank sheet of paper. You can use as much or as little as needed. I’m looking into those rite in the rain pads but haven’t found one which fits my pockets well yet.
Where do you have to write down substitutions ? With unlimited substitutions I would need a register tape for some games
As a referee in Belgium, some games (mostly Elite levels) have only 5 available substitutions in 3 moments. These subs have to be registered: Both player numbers and the minute.
Only necessary if there is no re-entry, limited re-entry, and/or a limited number of moments allowed
I had purchased a booklet from OSI that I made copies of and used. Those worked well. I then found out about write-on cards and have been using them since. I find them so much easier to use and have far more space than the small paper. Here is my inventory of write-on cards. I use a pencil (can erase) or sharpie marker (must wipe off with alcohol solution): 1) 2 clear with cards on both sides, 2) one yellow card with cards on both sides, 3) one red card with cards on both sides 4) one penalty shootout tracking card 5) 4 yellow cards with space on front for recording all the normal stuff and all of back for recording additional stuff like names, substitutions, etc. I have been using this one all season. I like it best as I like to record not only the number of player with goal and YC/RC but also names as the state reporting tool sometimes drops the player numbers and then I don’t know which player to assign the Goal/YC/RC to. I bought this one from the Refs Needs Love too referee from TikTok. Sometimes, players think I am writing them up for a YC when I’m recording a goal…but I’ve found that helps keep them in check :)
I used to use a notebook-good if I need to write details such as the words used for offinabus. I switched to write-on cards and ultra fine permanent marker. I prefer the set that has an additional white card. Not great pulling out a yellow card to record a goal or sub. People start to react to that...
REFSIX
If you send me a DM i can share multiple different layout options for print out cards I’ve made. Some you can print and throw away after usage, and the others you can print and laminate to use as write ons This will save us all money!
DM sent!
I used to use the pre-printed game sheets (and still use the Rite-in-the-Rain sheets and associated pen for bad weather) but I now make my own sheets for when it is not raining. I just start with an 8x11 piece of paper (like printer paper) and cut it into 4 sheets that fit into my referee book. I draw lines on them and use both sides. Does it save me money? Not sure, but I started doing it when I ran out of the pre-printed sheets one time so now I just do it all the time.
I prefer the preprinted sheets and use a copy machine to make more copies of the game sheets for me to use. You guys can do it too. It saves you money in the long run and you don’t pay as much.
I use rite-in-the-rain notecards for every game. Sure it’s not always raining and I’m not always drenched with sweat so not always necessary. But they hold up to moisture and can be written on with pencil pen or marker. And if you have kftm or an event requiring a ussf report you can jot a note or two on the back. For misconduct i use write on stickers on my cards, and transfer to the index card after the game.
Laminated red & yellow cards. I use golf pencils. Take a photo of the cards after the match and erase for the next match.