To maintain or to gain to the minimum level of fitness, a referee needs to undergo aerobic and anaerobic training for at least a month. Maintaining 50-60% Fitness Takes Less Effort Than Starting From Scratch! When the training stimulus is removed, physiological adaptations begin to reverse back to pre-training levels. This effect is known as detraining. Just as detrimental as doing nothing is avidly maintaining the same level of volume and intensity right throughout the transition phase. This can quickly lead to over-training and mental burnout. This is what happen when some referee with a low level if fitness (not at an appropriate level) join in the training sessions either at the beginning or in the middle.
FIFA Pre-season or In-season training is not set to raise your fitness level but to condition (getting use to) your fitness level to the strenuous anaerobic activities in a football competitive match or to take the FIFA Physical Fitness Test. So if a referee is not in a state of readiness (fitness) then he will get the negative effects of training. The training in the pre-season and in season are usually anaerobic training which differs from the aerobic training. Without a good base of aerobic level, entering into anaerobic MAY increase your fitness level but the effect of plateau or burnout may occur.
During the in-season period, training is aimed at the maintenance of fitness level, improving strength, strength endurance, speed and power endurance, techniques, agility, correcting of weaknesses and mental training as the competition will gets tougher and tougher. Training at least once a week may be sufficient. This depend on the number of appointments you are involved in. Doing too many competitive matches without proper rest may be detrimental. So being prepared physically and mentally will make the difference of a normal referee and an excellent one.
I hope this simple explanation will be beneficial to all and for those who think they understood but do not understand.
