VAR Officials Get Cockpit-Style Coaching

The Scottish FA has enlisted aviation experts who train pilots to enhance VAR communication for the upcoming football season. Willie Collum, the SFA's head of refereeing, disclosed that top Scottish referees participated in specialized training sessions with two aviation professionals to improve their composure during high-pressure situations.

The initiative aims to optimize communication between Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials at the central hub and on-field referees as the new league season kicks off this Saturday.

"We consulted with two leading UK aviation trainers who specialize in cockpit communication during extreme pressure scenarios," Collum told BBC Scotland. "While football isn't life-or-death like aviation, the parallels in high-stakes decision-making are clear."

As Scotland approaches the three-year anniversary of VAR implementation this October, Collum enters his second year overseeing the nation's officiating team.

Key Focus Areas from Aviation Training

The training emphasized several critical communication techniques:

• Using open-ended questions to encourage collaborative decision-making
• Maintaining calm under pressure
• Ensuring rational, fact-based analysis
• Facilitating equal input between VAR and assistant VAR officials

"We've conducted six to seven pre-season VAR center training sessions," Collum noted. "This aviation-inspired approach has elevated our preparation, and we'll integrate these methods throughout the season."

Notable VAR Changes for the New Season

Several rule modifications will affect VAR operations this season:

Drop Ball Procedures

When the ball strikes the referee, possession now goes to the team that would have gained control, rather than the team last in possession. All drop balls in the penalty area will go to the goalkeeper.

Penalty Kick Regulations

Following the Women's Euros final incident, penalties will be retaken if:

• A player scores after double-touching the ball with both feet
• Missed or saved double-touch penalties result in indirect free kicks

Goalkeeper Time Management

The new eight-second rule penalizes goalkeepers who delay releasing the ball:

• Exceeding eight seconds results in a corner kick award
• Obstruction leads to an indirect free kick

Captain Communication Protocol

While all players may address referees, only team captains (or designated outfield players for goalkeeper-captains) may approach officials during major decision reviews.

These changes, combined with the aviation-inspired communication training, aim to create a more efficient and transparent VAR system for Scottish football.