Law 6
The Assistant
Referees
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
2
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
4
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
5
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.
6
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 cooperation 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
8
COMMUNICATION
Whenever the ball is out of
play, the referee and the
assistant referees have the
opportunity to exchange
information
9
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
10
MECHANICS
Spectator side
Team side
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MECHANICS
It is
important to
be in the
correct
position
12
ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
For most situations, the raised flag tells
the referee all that is needed
1. Stop the game
• Foul
• Ball out of play
• Goal
• Offside
2. Ball not correctly placed
3. Ball did not leave penalty area
4. I need to have a chat with you
13
Stop Play
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ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
Throw-in
Corner kick
Goal kick
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ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
Offside or
Stop play
Offside Far side
Offside Near side
Offside Center
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ASSISTANT REFEREE SIGNALS
Foul - Flick or
wave flag
Substitution
requested
17
Substitution
• Correct
• Incorrect
18
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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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
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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
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