Law 6

The Assistant Referees

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At the end of this lesson the student will:

Objectives

• state the duties of the assistant referee

• demonstrate the signals used by the assistant referee

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Subject to the decision of the Referee, indicate:

ASSISTANT REFEREE DUTIES

• when the whole ball leaves the field

• which team is entitled to corner kick, goal kick or throw-in

• when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position

• when a substitute is requested

• when misconduct or other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee

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ASSISTANT REFEREE DUTIES

• when offenses have been committed whenever the assistants have a better view than the referee (this includes, in certain circumstances, offenses committed in the penalty area)

• whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and if the ball crosses the line

Subject to the decision of the Referee, indicate:

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NEUTRAL ASSISTANT REFEREES

• Not affiliated with the teams

• The referee shall always be the judge of the decision to be taken

• The assistant referees also assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

• In particular, they may enter the field of play to help control the 10 yard distance.

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RELATIONSHIP WITH REFEREE

• Law 5: “Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game…”

• “The referee controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees…”

• Law 6: “Two assistant referees may be appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:…

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COMMUNICATION

• Good communication is essential

• Eye contact at every opportunity

• Verbal contact only as necessary

• The assistant referees provide information and the referee makes the decisions

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Whenever the ball is out of play, the referee and the

assistant referees have the opportunity to exchange

information

COMMUNICATION

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MECHANICS

• Assistant referees shall patrol:– Off the field, along the touch line– One-half of the field only– Even with second-to-last defender– Follow all balls to goal line

• Special situations / Set plays– Follow pre-game instructions

11Team side

Spectator sideMECHANICS

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It is important to

be in the correct position

MECHANICS

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For most situations, the raised flag tells the referee all that is needed

ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS

1.Stop the game• Foul• Ball out of play• Goal• Offside

2.Ball not correctly placed3.Ball did not leave penalty area4. I need to have a chat with you

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Stop Play

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Goal kick

Corner kickThrow-in

ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS

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Offside or Stop play

Offside - Far side

Offside - Center

Offside - Near side

ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS

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Foul - Flick or wave flag

Substitution requested

ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS

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Substitution

• Correct

• Incorrect

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FLAG TECHNIQUES

• Flag to field side, always in referee’s view

• Switch flag while hands are low

• Flag motionless while running

• When signaling, stop, face field, stand erect and make eye contact with referee

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Remember, Flag Field Side

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FLAG TECHNIQUES

• Lower flag as soon as referee acknowledges it

• Flag signals are straight– point finger along stick– flags are an extension of your arm

• No cross body signals

• Flag is controlled up, lazy coming down

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ASSISTANCE IN GAME CONTROL

• Fouls / misconduct behind referee’s back

• Fouls / misconduct when referee is shielded by players’ bodies

• Verbal misconduct out of earshot of referee (bench personnel or players)

• Mirror other assistant referee’s flag

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ASSISTANCE IN GAME CONTROL

• Flag up for serious misconduct

• After a goal, trailing A.R. records first, then the lead A.R.

• Give opinions on points of fact when requested by the referee– What you saw– What you heard– Be specific - not vague

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USSF Grade 9

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

• USSF Recreational Referee (Grade 9)– Referee U-14 Rec. or younger games only– Asst. Referee in any U-14 or younger game

• Club Linesman– Instruct prior to game– May only signal ball over touch line

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Club Linesmen

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SPECIAL SITUATIONS• Certified official acting as club

assistant referee– They are associated with one of the

teams– They are not neutral (Tell them during

pre-game talk)– Use them with caution

• Any assistant referee who “unduly interferes” may be relieved of duties and reported

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REVIEW• What is the #1 job of the ARs?

– Assist the referee – They do not insist

• Offer opinions on– Ball out-of-play– Fouls– Offside– Misconduct– Always Follow Pre-game Instructions as given by

the Referee

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REVIEW (cont’)

• Positioning– Along touch line in their half, even with

second-to-last defender -or-– Even with ball, whichever is closer to the goal

line

• Signals– Must know instantly and use properly