Pilots Teach Scottish Referees Stress Management and VAR Communication

Two pilots conducted a training session for Scottish referees, initiated by the head of refereeing, William Collum, focusing on stress and pressure management. The session also addressed improving communication with VAR.

Collum was inspired by the high-pressure conditions pilots face and the need for effective communication with air traffic control, drawing parallels with the communication between referees and VAR.

According to Collum, the training focused on communication in difficult and high-pressure situations. He emphasized the need for composure and a logical approach to incidents, always based on the rules.

Additionally, Collum noted that Assistant VARs (AVARs) do not always express their opinions to VARs, and the communication code between pilot and co-pilot was discussed in this context.