What is the Best Position? Developing Positioning Skills February, R. Baker1

2 Positioning Skills In practice, the “best position” is never known in advance – it is revealed after the fact as “best” only if it has enabled the referee to see what most needs to be seen. In practice, the “best position” is never known in advance – it is revealed after the fact as “best” only if it has enabled the referee to see what most needs to be seen. All recommendations about positioning are based on probabilities and must be adjusted using specific information about the teams, the players and events in the match up to that point. All recommendations about positioning are based on probabilities and must be adjusted using specific information about the teams, the players and events in the match up to that point. Being in the right place at the right time to make the right decision Being in the right place at the right time to make the right decision.

February, R. Baker3 Positioning Skills The “best position” is one that is flexible and intelligent. The “best position” is one that is flexible and intelligent. An optimal position is achieved by tactical awareness and common sense. An optimal position is achieved by tactical awareness and common sense. Mobility is being able to get somewhere (fitness) whereas Positioning is knowing where that somewhere is. Mobility is being able to get somewhere (fitness) whereas Positioning is knowing where that somewhere is. Being in the right place at the right time to make the right decision.

February, R. Baker4 Positioning Skills The play should be between the referee and the assistant referee. The play should be between the referee and the assistant referee. The assistant referee should be within the referee’s field of vision. The referee should use the wide diagonal system. The assistant referee should be within the referee’s field of vision. The referee should use the wide diagonal system. Staying towards the left of the play makes it easier to keep play and the assistant referee within the referee’s field of vision. Staying towards the left of the play makes it easier to keep play and the assistant referee within the referee’s field of vision. Positioning with ball in play: The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker5 Positioning Skills Positioning with ball in play : Traditional left diagonal system of control The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker6 Positioning Skills The referee should be close enough to see play without interfering with play. The referee should be close enough to see play without interfering with play. What needs to be seen is not always in the vicinity of the ball. The referee should also pay attention to – aggressive individual player confrontations off the ball, possible offences in the area towards which play is heading, offences occurring after the ball is in play and offences behind him. What needs to be seen is not always in the vicinity of the ball. The referee should also pay attention to – aggressive individual player confrontations off the ball, possible offences in the area towards which play is heading, offences occurring after the ball is in play and offences behind him. Positioning with ball in play: The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker7 Positioning Skills The positions suggested in the following graphics are basic and recommended to referees. The positions suggested in the following graphics are basic and recommended to referees. The reference to a “zone” is intended to emphasise that the recommended position is actually an area within which the referee is most likely to optimise his effectiveness. The reference to a “zone” is intended to emphasise that the recommended position is actually an area within which the referee is most likely to optimise his effectiveness. The zone may be larger, smaller or differently shaped depending on circumstances at the moment in question. The zone may be larger, smaller or differently shaped depending on circumstances at the moment in question. Positioning with ball out of play: The principles of good positioning

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February, R. Baker25 Positioning Skills The referee should have a wide line of vision and not be in a position having the same line of vision as the AR as this narrows his viewing perspective. The referee should have a wide line of vision and not be in a position having the same line of vision as the AR as this narrows his viewing perspective. Having a wide line of vision provides a better position for a counterattack and a better control of pushing and holding. Having a wide line of vision provides a better position for a counterattack and a better control of pushing and holding. Positioning in dead ball situations: The principles of good positioning

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27 Positioning Skills Positioning is not static. It is determined by the ebb and flow of the game. Positioning is not static. It is determined by the ebb and flow of the game. Therefore, there is no such thing as a single position that is perfect every time. It varies as the game changes. Therefore, there is no such thing as a single position that is perfect every time. It varies as the game changes. It is important to note that the primary reason referees move around the field is to improve their view of play. In other words, referees are constantly trying to fulfil the following definition of good positioning. It is important to note that the primary reason referees move around the field is to improve their view of play. In other words, referees are constantly trying to fulfil the following definition of good positioning. Positioning concepts are tools not rules! The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker28 Positioning Skills Good positioning is the place with the best view, close enough to react effectively. Good positioning is the place with the best view, close enough to react effectively. Positioning is a skill developed over time. Some referees fail to develop their skills in this area because they attempt to apply all the techniques before they have mastered the basics. Positioning is a skill developed over time. Some referees fail to develop their skills in this area because they attempt to apply all the techniques before they have mastered the basics. Check out your Law Books, in the additional guidelines for match officials section, where further more detailed and advanced information on positioning can be found. Check out your Law Books, in the additional guidelines for match officials section, where further more detailed and advanced information on positioning can be found. Positioning concepts are tools not rules! The principles of good positioning

Richard Baker Developing Positioning Skills QUESTIONS ?