Law 6 The Assistant Referee

Mechanics Standard Diagonal AR 2 AR 1 Spectator side Team side This diagram shows the standard diagonal for the referee. It also shows the 2 patrol paths for the AR’s. If the referee elects to use a reverse diagonal, The AR’s would simply change which end of the field they patrol. AR 1 Team side

AR Positioning It is important for the Assistant Referee to be in the correct position. In this picture, the AR is signaling the ball had crossed the goal line. When the referee acknowledges the signal, the AR would then turn and sprint up the touchline 10—20 yards to indicate in his opinion a goal was scored.

AR Positioning Positioning Off the field, along the touch line One-half of the field only Even with second-to-last defender - or- even with ball, whichever is closer to the goal line Follow all balls to goal line Signals Must know instantly and use properly Where are AR’s positioned? Along the touchline in half the field, even with the 2nd to last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. AR’s like the Referee need fitness for proper positioning. Signals, AR’s must know instantly and use properly always.

Assistant Referee Signals Throw-in Goal kick Corner kick All AR signals should be given after stopping and looking at the referee while at attention position. Here is a throw-in. Arm held at about 45 degrees up pointing with the flag in the direction of the throw-in. A Goal kick, standing with flag in one arm held out parallel to the ground pointing toward the goal area. The Corner Kick. While far enough away from the corner flag to not cross it with your flag, your arm and flag pointing down at 45 degrees toward the corner flag, regardless of which side the kick should be taken from.

Assistant Referee Signals Offside - Near side Offside - Far side Offside or Stop play Offside - Center Here is the Offside signals. First the flag straight up in one arm until recognized by the referee’s whistle. Upon the whistle indicate which 1/3 of the field away from you the offense and restart should be in. Far side, mid-field, or near-side. After Referee stops play …..

Assistant Referee Signals Foul - Flick or wave flag Substitution requested Remember, the foul is a raised flag, then after the whistle a slight waggle, then the direction of the restart. A substitution is the flag held overhead between both arms in the open palms of the hands. Once the referee acknowledges the signal, bring it down.

AR 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 … always square-up and directly face the field Flag is controlled up, lazy coming down Mirror other AR’s flag As soon as the referee acknowledges your flag, you should lower it as soon as possible. Flagging signals are always straight with your index finger along the length of the stick so that the flag is an extension of your arm and body. Do not cross your body with the flag when signaling. Change hands first down low, then signal. Flag is controlled when going up, and lazy coming down.

Assistant Referee Signals For most situations, the raised flag tells the referee all that is needed Stop the game Offside Goal Ball out of play Substitution Foul Ball not correctly placed Ball did not leave penalty area I need to have a chat with you What are the signals used by the Assistant referees? They’re really simple and all serve a specific purpose to communicate something. A raised flag means “Stop the game”. Once the referee blows his/her whistle to acknowledge the stoppage, the next part of the signal communicates what your raised flag was for. For a foul, you give it a slight waggle and then signal the direction for the restart. At the same time, if you pat your breast pocket with your other hand at the same time, that tells the referee that in your opinion the foul was deserving of a yellow card. If you pat your back pocket, then in your opinion it was a send off offense. If you instead signal for a throw-in, goal-kick or corner kick, then that tells the referee the ball was out and that the restart is what you indicated it should be. If you wanted to signal a goal, after the referee acknowledges your raised flag, your would turn and sprint 10-20 yards up the touchline to indicate to the referee that in your opinion a goal was scored. Then if your raised flag was instead for an Offside offense, after the referee’s whistle you would indicate where on the field the offside offense occurred. The ball should be placed in that 3rd of the field even with where you’re standing. If you raised the flag before a goal kick can be taken, the referee would assume you mean the ball is not correctly placed for the goal kick. If you raised the flag after a goal kick had been taken, the referee would know the ball either didn’t leave the penalty area or it was touched by someone before it left the area. If you held your flag across your upper body, the referee would know that you needed to have a chat with his/her.

Assistant Referee Duties Signal to the Referee: When a player in an offside position may be penalized for being involved in active play When the whole ball enters the goal When the whole ball leaves the field Which team is entitled to corner kick, goal kick or throw-in When a substitute is requested Any decision of an assistant referee is always subject to the final decision of the referee. An AR should indicate; When the whole ball leaves the field Which team, in his/her opinion, is entitled to the corner kick, goal kick or throw-in. When a player may be penalized for being in an offside positoin When a substitute is requested When misconduct or other notable incident has occurred out of the view of the referee.

Assistant Referee Duties Subject to the decision of the Referee, signal and indicate: When misconduct or other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee When offenses have been committed whenever the assistants have a better view than the referee. Also subject to the decision of the Referee, they are to indicate: 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 has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the goal line.

AR Involvement The Assistant Referee This is Law 6, The Assistant Referee The Assistant Referee

AR’s should ALWAYS first LOOK for, AR Involvement AR’s should ALWAYS first LOOK for, or at, the Referee before using flag Here’s the first thing we want you to learn. AR’s should always first look for, or at, the referee before using flag.

LOOK LOOK LOOK Communication Whenever the ball is out of play, the referee and the assistant referees have the opportunity to exchange information LOOK LOOK LOOK Whenever the ball is out of play, this is a chance for the Referee and AR’s to exchange information. It is also an opportunity to lend support and ensure everyone’s on the same page.

Communication Good communication is essential Eye contact at every opportunity Verbal contact only as necessary The AR provides information and the referee makes the final decisions For Assistant referees, good communication is essential. Since AR’s don’t have a whistle, they must learn to use all their other tools. Like making eye contact at every opportunity with the Referee. Use verbal communication only as necessary. The AR’s provide information and the referee makes the decisions.

Relationship with Referee Law 5: “The referee controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees…” The referee is the “boss” An assistant referee who isn’t doing their job may be dismissed Assistant referees do just that… they assist the referee - they do not insist The work and responsibilities of the referee depend on the support and assistance of the Assistant Referees. The laws state that the referee controls the match in cooperation with the assistant referees. In law 6 it states that “two assistant referee are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee… So AR’s must always accept the fact that while they are part of the team, the final authority rest with the referee.

Assistance In Game Control Flag up for serious misconduct Give opinions on points of fact when requested by the referee What you saw What you heard Be specific - not vague For serious misconduct, raise the flag. When the referee comes over, give the referee what you saw or heard and be specific on which player was involved.

Review of the Test and Laws 5 & 6

Test questions LAWS 5 & 6 The ball completely crosses over the touch line, between the halfway line and an assistant referee (AR). The AR should signal with the flag at 45 degrees above the horizontal in the direction of the throw-in. A. True B. False 39. The referee notices that you have raised the flag vertically and have given it a slight wave. The referee concludes that you are indicating an offside violation. A. True B. False

Test questions LAWS 5 & 6 40. The AR indicates to the referee that a substitution is requested by using the following signal. How long should the AR maintain this signal? A. Until the substitution process is completed B. Until the referee waves the substitute onto the field C. Until the referee acknowledges the signal and delays the restart of play D. Until the player being subbed out begins running off the field . False

Test questions LAWS 5 & 6 41. The person who is required to keep a record of the game, according to Law 5, is the: A. senior AR B. referee C. league or field administrator.   While play is going on in his half of the field, the AR’s main position is in line with the second-to-last defender or the ball, whichever is nearer to the goal line. A. True B. False According to Law 5, the referee should stop the game if, in her opinion, a player is seriously injured.

Test questions LAWS 5 & 6 The process of inspecting player equipment does not have to take place if the game is running behind schedule. A. True B. False Midway through the second half, you see lightning in the distance. The coaches of both teams wish to continue the game. As the referee, you should A. allow the game to continue, since the lightning was not nearby. B. suspend the game, regardless of the coaches’ opinions, and find shelter immediately