Keys to Success for an Assistant Referee

What We’ll Cover The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed Just Like a Center Referee Countdown to Kickoff – Assist Your Center Your #1 Job – Player Safety Starting the Match The Top AR Complaints From Coaches After the Final Whistle

The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed – You May Have to Be the Center Lay Out Your Uniform & Equipment – Jersey, Shorts, Socks, Shoes, Watch, Badge, Whistle, 2 Pens, 2 Coins, Game Wallet with Filled Out Game Sheet, Pre-Game Timing Cheat Sheet! Review – Law Book and Modifications for Your Game, Length of Each Half, Number of Players, Ball Size, Field Location and Time of Game

Countdown to Kickoff – Assist the Center Referee 30 min – arrive at field, stow bag behind a goal, inspect field especially goal anchors, check goal wheels to make sure the front wheels are pushed back, check corner flags 20 min – greet coaches, get game card from home coach and have visiting coach enter their roster and sign, start player inspections when all of 1 team is present; for U9-12 house matches, meet with field marshal and have field marshal sign game card 5 min – coin toss & get 3 game balls from home coach 1 min – whistle out teams, count players (8 for U9-10, 11 for all else) 0 min – start watch, check that watch is actually started, point direction and blow whistle (hard)

Your #1 Job – Player Safety Before the Match Ensure Goals Are Anchored – Check Before Every Match, Not Just the 1 st One Ask coaches to fix any dangerous situations before the Match Ask Parents and Coaches to Move at Least 2 Yards from the Touch Line Remind Coaches to Stay in the Technical Area Raise Your Flag if a Player is Injured If the Injury is Minor Remind the Coach to not Enter the Field Until Invited by the Referee

Starting the Match Count the Players on Your Half Keepers in Position Unfurl Your Flag When In Position & Ready Start Your Watch at the Whistle Look to Make Sure It’s Running Hold you Flag at Your Side in Your Hand Closest to the Center Circle Backup the Center on Time, Score and Cards Special Note: The Keeper is Included in Determining Who the 2 nd to Last Defender Is.

The Top AR Complaints From Coaches Not Calling Fouls – Raise Flag, Make Eye Contact with Referee, Wiggle Flag, Point Direction Not Calling Offside – Once an Offside Player Participates, Raise Flag, Hold Position, After Whistle Point Near, Far or Middle On Throw-ins – Both Point in the Same Direction: Lead in Your Quadrant, Follow in Centers Quadrant

After the Final Whistle Wait to Shake Hands with the Players & Coaches Agree on Scoring with Center Referee Before Game Card is Filled Out If Your Mentor or Another Senior Referee Was Watching Your Match Get Their Feedback Think of 2 Things You Want to Do Better Next Time At Home, Save Your Game Sheet in Case the Coaches Disagree on the Final Score

What We Covered – Any Questions? The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed Countdown to Kickoff – Timing is Everything Your #1 Job – Player Safety Starting the Match The Top AR Complaints From Coaches After the Final Whistle Questions?