1. The Other Match Officials
Law 6
The Other Match Officials

2. Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will:
state the duties of the assistant referee
demonstrate the signals used by the assistant referee

3. The Other Match Officials
Other match officials (two assistant referees, fourth official, two additional assistant referees, reserve assistant referee, video assistant referee (VAR) and at least one assistant VAR (AVAR)) may be appointed to matches. They will assist the referee in controlling the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game but the final decision will always be taken by the referee.

4. ASSISTANT REFEREE DUTIES
Subject to the decision of the Referee, indicate:
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

5. ASSISTANT REFEREE DUTIES
Subject to the decision of the Referee, 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 moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and if the ball crosses the line

6. 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.

7. 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:…

8. Fourth Official

9. Fourth Official assists the referee at all times
indicates to the referee when the wrong player is cautioned because of mistaken identity
or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution.
or when violent conduct occurs out of the view of the referee and assistant referees
checking a player’s/ substitute’s equipment (...)
indicating the minimum amount of additional time the referee intends to play at the end of each half (including extra time).

10. Video match officials
A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official who may assist the referee to make a decision using replay footage only for a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ relating to a goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, direct red card (not a second caution) or a case of mistaken identity when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team

11. Video match officials
An assistant video assistant referee (AVAR) is a match official who helps the VAR primarily by:
• watching the television footage while the VAR is busy with a ‘check’ or a ‘review’
• keeping a record of VAR-related incidents and any communication or technology problems
• assisting the VAR’s communication with the referee, especially communicating with the referee when the VAR is undertaking a ‘check’/‘review’ e.g. to tell the referee to ‘stop play’ or ‘delay the restart’ etc.
• recording the time ‘lost’ when play is delayed for a ‘check’ or a ‘review’
• communicating information about a VAR-related decision to relevant parties

12. 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

13. COMMUNICATION
Whenever the ball is out of play, the referee and the assistant referees have the opportunity to exchange information

14. 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

15. MECHANICS
Spectator side
Standard Diagonal
Team side

16. It is important to be in the correct position
MECHANICS
It is important to be in the correct position

17. ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
For most situations, the raised flag tells the referee all that is needed
Stop the game
Foul
Ball out of play
Goal
Offside
Ball not correctly placed
Ball did not leave penalty area
I need to have a chat with you

18. Stop Play

19. ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
Corner kick
Throw-in
Goal kick

20. ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
Offside - Far side
Offside - Near side
Offside or Stop play
Offside - Center

21. ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
Foul - Flick or wave flag
Substitution requested

22. Substitution
Correct
Incorrect

23. 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

24. Remember, Flag Field Side

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. SPECIAL SITUATIONS USSF Grade 9 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

29. Club Linesmen

30. 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

31. REVIEW What is the #1 job of the ARs? Offer opinions on
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

32. REVIEW (cont’) Positioning Signals
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