AYSO National Referee Program Refereeing with Fewer Than Three

Course Objectives Understand Diagonal System of Control (DSC) principles Understand the priorities for referees Apply those principles and priorities when fewer than three referees are available. 2

What Do Officials Need to Monitor? Scoring of a goal Ball over a boundary line Offside Fouls/misconduct Technical infringements (on restarts) 3

Core Principle of the DSC Referees constantly vary their positions to maximize the likelihood that one is properly situated to judge any event that occurs – The referee always makes the decision – The assistant referees communicate (signal) what they have seen, assisting the referee to make a decision 4

DSC with Three Referees: Boxing Play 5 Touch line Goal line AR 1 Offside Fouls and injuries R Direction of play AR 2

DSC with Three Referees: Boxing Play 6 Touch line Goal line AR 1 Offside AR 2 Fouls and injuries R Direction of play

DSC with Three Referees: Boxing Play 7 Goal line Touch line AR 1 Offside AR 2 Fouls and injuries R Direction of play

DSC with Three Referees: Four Eyes on Play 8 AR 1 AR 2 R

DSC with Three Referees: Where Should The Referee Be? 9 AR 1 AR 2 D D D D D D D D D A A A A A A A A A Direction of play

DSC with Three Referees: On the Diagonal? 10 AR 1 AR 2 D D D D D D D D D A A A A A A A A A Direction of play R

DSC with Three Referees: A Better Position 11 AR 1 AR 2 D D D D D D D D D A A A A A A A A A Direction of play R

DSC with Three Referees: Re-establishing Position with AR 2 12 AR 1 AR 2 D D D D D D D D D A A A A A A A A A Direction of play R

What Governs the Referees Movement? Where must he be… – To observe what is happening now? – To observe what will happen next? These can be contradictory demands! The assistant referees help resolve the conflict This is what makes refereeing with fewer than three officials hard! – Less information from others means more constraints on positioning – Referee cant do it all by himself, so must prioritize 13

DSC with Two Referees 14

DSC with Two Referees One is the referee, one is an assistant referee A club linesman is used on the other touch line This is the only acceptable configuration 15 The dual system (two referees on the field with whistles) is not authorized for use in AYSO matches!

DSC with Two Referees: Positioning 16 Touch line Goal line AR 1 CL Fouls and injuries R Direction of play Referee will need to lead play to watch for offside

DSC with Two Referees: Idealized Referee Coverage 17 AR 1 CL R

DSC with Two Referees: Realistic Referee Coverage 18 AR 1 CL R

DSC with One Referee Recruit two club linesman Never do a game solo without linesmen! – Physically and mentally taxing – Cant watch everything – Must focus on priorities: goals, offside, fouls – Linesmen worry about ball into touch 19

DSC with One Referee: Realistic Referee Coverage 20 CL R

DSC with One Referee: Implications Coverage is shallower and narrower Judging ball on goal line is next to impossible Obvious offside (younger players) is easy Judging close offside requires being ahead of the ball at both ends, which is impossible Dont call offside unless you are sure! For older players, tight control is essential Limit use of advantage 21

Restarts 22

Where Should the Referee Be? 23 A CL R B D E C Direction of play A = Corner Kick Referee Side B = Corner Kick Club Linesman Side C = DFK Referee Side D = DFK Club Linesman Side E = Penalty Kick AR 1

DSC: Restarts with Club Linesman Referee Position 24 A CL R A = Corner Kick Referee side Direction of play

DSC: Restarts with Club Linesman Referee Position 25 B CL B = Corner Kick Club Linesman side R Direction of play

DSC: Restarts with Club Linesman Referee Position 26 CL R C = DFK Referee Side C Direction of play

DSC: Restarts with Club Linesman Referee Position 27 CL R D D = DFK Club Linesman Side Direction of play

DSC: Restarts with Club Linesman Referee Position 28 CL R E = Penalty Kick E Direction of play

DSC with Fewer than Three Referees: People Management 29

DSC with Fewer Than Three Referees: People Management Younger players games – Focus on the adults – Have pre-game discussion with coaches Older players games – Focus on players, not coaches/spectators –Sign up the players for low offside expectations – Limit use of advantage – Failure to detect fouls can lead to loss of control 30

Fouls Off-the-Ball Identify problem players early Be nearer to problem players Take a wider position to see more Ask AR (not club linesman) to watch players Speak to players early; prevent escalation Consider cautioning earlier than usual 31

DSC with Two Officials: AR Helps with Problem Players 32 AR 1 R CL AR 1 watches players behind referees back When play is here

Summary Refereeing with fewer than three referees is a compromise Use principles of the DSC to adjust position to compensate Prioritize your duties and position yourself to maximize your ability to judge goals, offside and fouls 33 And remember: the dual system is not authorized for use in AYSO!

Referees: Our Role in the AYSO Experience 34

Who are the Referees Customers? 35

Everyone Plays! Customer service is not a department, its an attitude - Unknown 36

AYSO Ambassadors 37

Great Refereeing = Great Customer Service The Game Matters! We Honor the Laws of the Game Nurturing New Referees 38

Tips and Tools Use The Triangle Teaching the Game Embracing: Troublehsooters, Help Desk. The Thank You 39

Were AYSO Ambassadors! 40