Assistant Referees U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Online Training Script: Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 7 Referee Course. Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the amateur adult game. This presentation focuses on assistant referees. U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 7 Referee Course Amateur Adult Training

Importance Role of assistant referees More than just signaling for a ball in and out of play Responsible for assisting with fouls and misconduct out of the referee’s view Must be in top physical condition Online Training Script: Assistant referees working the amateur adult game must do more than simply signal for the ball in and out of play. Working as a referee team is critical for success at this level so assistant referees must understand and embrace all the duties required of them by the Laws of the Game. In addition, the amateur adult game can be physically demanding so assistant referees must be in good physical condition to keep up with the speed of play and perform their duties appropriately. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Positioning Assistant Referee Assistant Referee Online Training Script: Remember, the diagonal system of control allows referees to keep play between them and the assistant referees because two perspectives on the same play are better than one. Because the assistant referees should be keeping in line with the second to last defender, or the ball depending on which is closer to the goal line, there is a limited amount of the field they can supervise. However, these areas are important for assistant referees to monitor so the referee can focus on a more manageable amount of the field. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Assistant Referee

Examples Online Training Script: Please review the following examples demonstrating basic positioning for referees and assistant referees. Note that these positions are recommendations and officials must factor in a variety of variables when selecting their position during the course of the game. Remember that the best position for the referee or assistant referee to be in is the one that will allow him or her to make the correct decision. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Kick-off Online Training Script: The assistant referees must be in line with the second to last opponents. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

During Play Online Training Script: The assistant referees must be in line with the second to last opponent or the ball if it is nearer the goal line than the second to last opponent. The assistant referees must always face the field of play and should sidestep while monitoring offside unless they are required to sprint as dictated by play. Assistant referees must be able to effectively transition from sidestepping to sprinting and should push off with the leg opposite the sprint direction in order to maximize power and speed. When signaling, the assistant referee should stop, face the field, make eye contact with the referee, and then signal with the correct hand. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

During Play Reading play Prioritize duties Offside Assistance Visual cues Attackers Defenders Online Training Script: Assistant referees at this level should also begin to read the play just as the referee does. One example is the information an attacker provides with his or her speed. If the player is increasing his or her speed, this may be a sign that a through ball is going to be delivered into the path of the player. In this example, this action can help the assistant referee better prepare for a potential offside determination. Another example would be for the assistant referee to recognize that the defending team plays with an offside trap. This type of information can also help better prepare the official to make a correct decision. Another example of reading play can relate to positioning. If the assistant referee sees play developing or moving close to his or her position on the touchline, he or she should move back off the line to have a better angle and view of the play. This is also important so that the assistant referee does not interfere with the play or players. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Goal Kick Position #1 – Ensure ball is placed inside goal area. Position #2 – If kick is taken by player other than GK, position at edge of penalty area. Position #3 – Once ball is kicked, quickly get to offside position. Exception: If kick is taken by GK and no other defenders are in the penalty area, once ball is placed immediately go to offside position. Online Training Script: First, the assistant referee should check if the ball is inside the goal area. If the ball is not placed correctly, the assistant referee must not move from his or her position, make eye contact with the referee and raise his flag. Second, once the ball is placed correctly inside the goal area, the assistant referee must move to the edge of the penalty area to check that the ball leaves the penalty area and that the attackers are outside. If the second to last opponent takes the goal kick, the assistant referee must move directly to the edge of the penalty area. Finally, the assistant referee must take a position to check the offside line, which is a priority in any case. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Goalkeeper Online Training Script: The assistant referee must take a position in line with the edge of the penalty area and check that the goalkeeper does not touch the ball with his hands outside the penalty area. Once the goalkeeper has released the ball, the assistant referees should take a position to check the offside line, which is a priority in any case. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Penalty Kick Online Training Script: The assistant referee must be positioned at the intersection of the goal line and the penalty area. Note that this position for the assistant referee is not recommended, it is required. If the goalkeeper blatantly moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and a goal is not scored, the assistant referee stays in position and signals by holding the flag across his or her lower body. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Goal Online Training Script: When a goal has been scored and there is no doubt about the decision, the referee and assistant referee must make eye contact and the assistant referee must then run up the touch line towards the halfway line without raising his or her flag. DO NOT RAISE YOUR ARM, DO NOT POINT ANYWHERE, JUST MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THE REFEREE AND RUN TOWARD MIDFIELD UNTIL THE REFEREE SEES YOU. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Goal Online Training Script: When a goal has been scored but the ball appears still to be in play, the assistant referee must first raise his or her flag to get the referee’s attention then continue with the normal goal procedure of running up the touch line towards the halfway line. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Corner Kick Online Training Script: The assistant referee’s position for a corner kick is behind the corner flag in line with the goal line. While in this position he or she must not interfere with the player taking the corner kick. He or she must check that the ball is properly placed inside the corner arc. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Free Kicks Online Training Script: The assistant referee’s position for a free kick must be in line with the second to last opponent in order to check the offside line which is a priority in any case. However, he or she must be ready to follow the ball by moving down the touch line towards the corner flag if there is a direct shot on goal. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Responsibility Law 6 Duties are subject to the decision of the referee Offside Involved in active play Interfering with play Interfering with an opponent Gaining an advantage Online Training Script: In addition to proper positioning and signaling, assistant referees must also be diligent in their duties and responsibilities. First among these duties is to signal for offside offenses. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Examples Online Training Script: Please review the following examples demonstrating the various elements of Law 11. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position, not interfering with an opponent, touches the ball. The assistant referee must raise the flag when the player touches the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position, not interfering with an opponent, does not touch the ball. The player cannot be penalized because he or she did not touch the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position runs towards the ball and teammate (B) in an onside position also runs towards the ball and plays it. Attacker (A) cannot be penalized because he or she did not touch the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position may be penalized before playing or touching the ball, if, in the opinion of the referee, no other teammate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: An attacker in an offside position runs towards the ball and does not touch the ball. The assistant referee must signal for a goal kick. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position is obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of vision. Attacker (A) must be penalized because he or she prevents an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position is not obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position runs towards the ball but he or she does not prevent the opponent from playing or being able to play the ball. Attacker (A) is not challenging opponent (B) for the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (A) in an offside position runs towards the ball preventing opponent (B) from playing or being able to play the ball by challenging the opponent for the ball. Attacker (A) is challenging opponent (B) for the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (B) in an offside position is penalized for playing or touching the ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him or her from a deliberate save by the goalkeeper having been in an offside position when the ball was last touched or is played by a teammate. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (B) in an offside position is penalized for playing or touching the ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him or her from a deliberate save by defender (C) having been in an offside position when the ball was last touched or is played by a teammate. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: The shot by attacker (A) rebounds from the goalkeeper. Attacker (B) is in an onside position and plays the ball. Attacker (C) in an offside position is not penalized because he or she did not gain an advantage from being in that position because he or she did not touch the ball. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Offense Online Training Script: The shot by attacker (A) rebounds off or is deflected by an opponent to attacker (B) who is penalized for playing or touching the ball having previously been in an offside position. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

No Offense Online Training Script: Attacker (C) is in an offside position, not interfering with an opponent, when teammate (A) passes the ball to player (B) in an onside position who runs towards the opponents’ goal and passes the ball to teammate (C). Attacker (C) cannot be penalized because when the ball was passed to him or her, he or she was in an onside position. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Responsibility Assistance When misconduct or any other incident occurs outside the referee’s view When offenses have been committed whenever the assistant referees have a better view than the referee Mirroring Online Training Script: In addition to monitoring offside, assistant referees are also empowered by the Laws of the Game to provide assistance to the referee and one another. At the amateur adult level, assistance can be critical to making sure the correct decision is made. In particular, referees should look for assistance when assistant referees have information related to misconduct and offenses that take place of the referee’s view or when the assistant referee has a better view of the play. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Assistance Assistant referees Additional eyes and ears Better able to see and hear Closer Clearer Greater detail Better angle Online Training Script: The diagonal system of control using a referee and two assistant referees results in better decision-making on the field under almost all circumstances.  With each official given an area of the field to focus on, fewer important events are missed and each official provides backup to the other two. In particular, each assistant referee provides an expanded perspective on play which can greatly improve what the referee can see and hear. Effectively monitoring 22 players for ninety minutes can be an impossible task unless a referee is working closely with the entire referee team whenever the game dictates. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Assistance Referee team communication Pre-game conference Halftime conference During the game Assistant referee to referee Referee to assistant referee Assistant referee to assistant referee Mirroring Online Training Script: Under the Laws of the Game, the referee is the final authority but the entire referee team must participate for success. To accomplish this, communication is key and it begins when the officials get together for the pre-game meeting. It continues throughout the game with eye contact, standard signals that have a commonly recognized meaning and standard patterns of positioning. Assistant referees send information to the referee for on field events.  The referee helps the assistant referees in situations where a higher priority task, such as offside, interferes with monitoring whether the ball has left the field. The referee should also help paint a picture of how he or she is looking at the game so that the assistant referees can assist in a way which is consistent with the approach being taken by the referee.  And even from across the field, through mirroring, one assistant referee can pass information to the other assistant referee which then is brought to the referee’s attention. For example, mirroring can be used for fouls behind the referee or at the opposite end of the field than where play is occurring, or when a substitution is requested and the referee is not facing the bench area. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Assistance Objective Make the correct decision Priorities Offside Fouls and misconduct Who is closer? Who has the better view? Online Training Script: While providing assistance is important, there is still a priority of duties for assistant referees. Assisting with offside is the single most important task of each assistant referee because almost every decision about an offside violation is game critical. This is because a goal scored or not scored based on an offside decision can significantly change the dynamic and temperature of the game. Second to offside is assisting with fouls and misconduct with assistant referees advising the referee about whether a foul or misconduct occurred or didn’t occur when they have the better view. In simple terms, when the referee is in position to make the call, the assistant referee’s role is to provide confirmation.  When the referee is not position or when the assistant referee has the superior view, he or she then advises the referee on what should be done. And sometimes, it takes a brief conversation between the referee and the assistant referee to make sure the referee has all the information about an event.  Regardless of how simple or complex the scenario the referee team encounters, the objective is always the same and that’s to make the correct decision. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question In addition to signaling for offside, what other duties might assistant referee expect to perform at this level? Indicating when misconduct or any other offense occurs out of the referee’s view Issuing cards for misconduct Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question Which of the following is a component of being involved in active play? Gaining an advantage by being in that position Interfering with play Interfering with an opponent All of the above Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question Which of the following best describes the practice of mirroring? Both assistant referees signal simultaneously The lead assistant referee signals to the referee that the trail assistant referee has signaled for something out of the referee's view Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points: