The second training session for J. League referees was held on Saturday 26 July and Sunday 27 July 2014 in Yokohama, Kanagawa.
In this training session, applicants discussed the latest communication system, which has been in use since 19 July. The referees also adapted their opinions and practical experiences to the system, in order to use it for making fairer judgements.

OKADA Masayoshi, Top Referee Instructor
The following topics were discussed in the training session.
- Assessment of the simulation
- Judgement criteria for dangerous tackles with the studs up
- Judgement criteria for warnings on holding players
- Judgement criteria for when a definite goal-scoring opportunity is prevented
- About the communication system
We took our time in discussing the second topic, as there were some dangerous tackles with studs up, which were not treated as fouls, in recent matches.
Depending on the angle you look at, sometimes it is very difficult to tell how bad or brutal the tackle might be. We realised again the importance of cooperating with the assistant referees and the fourth referees to reach a fair decision.
We also talked about success and failures of the newly installed communication system, which has been in use since 19 July.
It might take a while before we use the communication system effectively. Still it was a very good opportunity to share the fact that we could use the communication system to make better decisions by refereeing with a basic principle in mind.

Comment

TSUKADA Tomohiro, Class 1 Referee (Saitama)
As the video of the match, in which I refereed, was used in this training, I could acquire a new perspective from other active referees.
It’s been six years since I became a Class 1 referee, and I still learn something new or find some issues to be fixed in every game. Sometimes I gave the player just a yellow card, where I should have given a red. I got a lot of advice about what to do in that kind of situation from the instructor and the other referees.
Experienced referees tend to have their own principles to follow, so that they can stay calm.
As we discussed, watching several videos in the session, I’d like to analyse them to find the reason why the referee could not judge properly at that time. And I’d like to improve myself, so that I can make a correct decision in the similar situation.