Assistant Referee Course BRITISH COLUMBIA SOCCER REFEREES ASSOCIATION Assisting, supporting and advocating for referees since 1969 Assistant Referee Course Author – Art Badenicks

Assistant Referee The Assistant Referees’ (or A.R.’s) responsibilities are far different and more complex than that of the Mini Referee. Their primary role is a supporting one to the Referee. Where possible there will always be two A.R.’s with each Referee. The A.R. should ALWAYS come prepared to become the Referee should something happen.

Assistant Referee There are two types of A.R.’s that may be seen at games. The “Neutral” Assistant Referee. The “Club” Assistant Referee.

Assistant Referee

Duties and Responsibilities Two assistant referees are appointed. Their duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate: When the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play. Which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in. When a player may be penalised for being in an offside position. When a substitution is requested. (Continued…) Depending on circumstances…AR’s may be asked to indicate fouls that the ref hasn’t seen. As a general rule don’t make any calls that might result in a PK unless there is some communication between you and the Ref.

Pre Game duties: Check the goal Check the field Check corner flags Check the game ball If the Referee is late proceed with equipment check, team lists, player cards, coin toss. Make yourself useful in pregame duties. As you warm up and if you notice a rock or stick on the field by all means pick it up and remove it. Often the Referee is coming from another game and might be late…get all the pregame procedures done so that we he arrives the game can start right away.

Assistant Referee There are only 6 Assistant Referee (AR) signals that may be used. Some can be used in conjunction with others, but they are still separate signals. 6 with variations eg offside

Which ones are missing? Next slide hidden are attention ref, goal kick, and corner kick. Remind substitution signal used briefly just to let ref know a sub has been requested, then the flag is lowered as the substitution process continues.

Assistant Referee Attention Referee (2 variations – standard & for a foul) Offsides (3 variations – near, middle, far) Goal-Kick Corner Kick Throw-in Substitution Attention ref standard: the ball is out of bounds and or a goal has been scored. (Running towards midfield after a goal is shown later)

Positioning - 1. Kick off In line with the second last defender

Positioning – 2. General Positioning In line with the second last defender or the ball Always face the field of play

Positioning – 3. Goal kick Check the ball is inside goal area (1) If the ball is not correctly placed, the AR should not move from his position and make eye contact with the referee and raise the flag

Positioning – 3. Goal kick Check the offside line (3), which is a priority Check also that the ball goes outside penalty area (Ball in play) and that the attackers are outside

Positioning – 3. Goal kick If the second last defender takes the goal kick, AR should move to the edge of the penalty area (2)

Positioning 4. Goalkeeper releasing the ball Check the goalkeeper does not touch the ball with his hands outside penalty area (2)

Positioning 4. Goalkeeper releasing the ball Check the goalkeeper does not touch the ball with his hands outside penalty area (2) Check the offside line (3), which is a priority

Positioning – 5. Penalty kick The Assistant Referee should be on the intersection of the goal line and penalty area

6. Kicks from the penalty mark “Shoot out”

7. “Goal” situations (normal situations) Eye contact with the referee.

7. “Goal” situations (normal situations) Eye contact with the referee. Run quickly towards halfway line.

Positioning 7. “Goal” situations (tight decisions) First raise the FLAG to attract referee’s attention.

7. “No Goal” situations (tight decisions) Continue with the play. Eye contact with the referee. Wait for eye consultation (discreet hand signal).

Positioning – 8. Corner kick AR’s position should be behind the corner flag in line with the goal line. Do not interfere with the players. Check the ball is inside the corner arc: CORRECT CORRECT INCORRECT CORRECT

Running Technique Side-to-side movement for short distances, especially to judge offside (better line of vision). As a general rule, face the pitch Running forwards when sprinting. Be in a “ready position” before sprinting.

Flag Technique Before signalling: Stop Face the pitch Make eye contact with the referee Raise the flag with the appropriate hand (fouls and throw-in). If necessary, change the hand with flag underneath

Flag Technique Flag held down, always visible to referee and unfurled. Flag still while running. When signalling, flag is like an extension of the arm.

Assistant Referee – Managing the Off-sides The basics of watching for off-sides means that proper positioning is critical. Even if you are out of position by 1 or 2 yards, it can mean the difference whether the player is on-side or off-side. This takes practice.

Law 11 - Offside It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if: He is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent (defender) A player is not in an offside position if he is in his own half of the field or level with the second last or last two opponents

Head, torso, legs, feet… Hands, arms… Hands and arms are not included in the decision making process when considering an offside postion. Only those parts of the body that can legally play the ball are observed in potential offside offences.

Law 11 - Offside A player in an offside position is only penalised if at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by: Interfering with play eg. Receiving the ball Interfering with an opponent Gaining an advantage be being in that position

Red team defending blue team Second last defender Last defender Ball From the AR’s postion Red and Blue are in line…flag is kept down no offside!!!! Oooops!!! Wrong call because AR out of line by a few steps

Rebound off post Although blue will get the rebound he was in an offside position and gained an advantage by being there as he got the rebound.

Just because someone is in an offside position doesn’t mean there is a offside foul. Here player #2 is onside when the ball is kicked so there is no offside foul despite his teammate being offside. What if #2 gets the ball (legally) and then passes the ball back to the player who was originally offside but now has the ball between himself and the goalline??

Law 11 - Offside There is no offence if a player receives the ball directly from: A throw-in A corner kick A goal kick

Remember position is everything in an offside Remember position is everything in an offside. Position of players when the ball is kicked. And position of AR when the ball is kicked (or deliberately directed eg head ball). For discussion: if blue kicks the ball and it hits red and then bounces toward the goalie is the blue player going to be called for offside if he goes to play the ball? Remember that one cannot be called for offside if the ball is deliberately passed back by the defender…would that be deliberate ie in control???

Being an AR isn’t easy…while watching for offsides, everyone expects the AR to make out of bounds decisions also. If the ball goes out of play but you’re not sure who touched it last what is the flag signal?? Remember you need to be with the second last defender and or with the ball whichever is closer to the goal line. Work as a team.