What is the Best Position? More Advanced Positioning February, R. Baker1

2 More Advanced Positioning In practice, the “best position” is never known in advance – it is revealed after the fact as “best” only if it has enabled the referee to see what most needs to be seen. In practice, the “best position” is never known in advance – it is revealed after the fact as “best” only if it has enabled the referee to see what most needs to be seen. All recommendations about positioning are based on probabilities and must be adjusted using specific information about the teams, the players and events in the match up to that point. All recommendations about positioning are based on probabilities and must be adjusted using specific information about the teams, the players and events in the match up to that point. Being in the right place at the right time to make the right decision Being in the right place at the right time to make the right decision.

February, R. Baker3 More Advanced Positioning Positioning with ball in play : Traditional left diagonal system of control The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker4 More Advanced Positioning The referee should be close enough to see play without interfering with play. The referee should be close enough to see play without interfering with play. What needs to be seen is not always in the vicinity of the ball. The referee should also pay attention to – aggressive individual player confrontations off the ball, possible offences in the area towards which play is heading, offences occurring after the ball is in play and offences behind him. What needs to be seen is not always in the vicinity of the ball. The referee should also pay attention to – aggressive individual player confrontations off the ball, possible offences in the area towards which play is heading, offences occurring after the ball is in play and offences behind him. Positioning with ball in play: The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker5 More Advanced Positioning The referee should have a wide line of vision and not be in a position having the same line of vision as the AR as this narrows his viewing perspective. The referee should have a wide line of vision and not be in a position having the same line of vision as the AR as this narrows his viewing perspective. Having a wide line of vision provides a better position for a counterattack and a better control of pushing and holding. Having a wide line of vision provides a better position for a counterattack and a better control of pushing and holding. Positioning in dead ball situations: The principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker6 More Advanced Positioning Remember good positioning is the place with the best view, close enough to react effectively. Remember good positioning is the place with the best view, close enough to react effectively. Good positioning can be recognised from the implementation of its three components: Good positioning can be recognised from the implementation of its three components: Angle, Ball, and Close Angle, Ball, and Close Positioning concepts are tools not rules! More advanced principles of good positioning

February, R. Baker7 More Advanced Positioning ANGLE The first priority for a referee is to see what has happened, or is about to happen. In other words the referee must have an angled view on play. There are two basic types of angle. The first priority for a referee is to see what has happened, or is about to happen. In other words the referee must have an angled view on play. There are two basic types of angle. External - where the referee is outside or to the left of play. From this position the referee can see through the point of contact and will have the majority of players in view and have play between themselves and their assistants. External - where the referee is outside or to the left of play. From this position the referee can see through the point of contact and will have the majority of players in view and have play between themselves and their assistants. Internal - where the referee is inside the play, that is, on the right side of play. In this case many of the players are not in the referees view and the play is not between the referee and the assistant referee. Internal - where the referee is inside the play, that is, on the right side of play. In this case many of the players are not in the referees view and the play is not between the referee and the assistant referee. Understanding the dynamics of good positioning. The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker8 More Advanced Positioning RELATIONSHIP TO THE BALL The second component of good positioning is to try and keep the ball between the referee and assistant referee. The second component of good positioning is to try and keep the ball between the referee and assistant referee. The working relationship between the three match officials encourages the assistants to take responsibility for their zone of play. The working relationship between the three match officials encourages the assistants to take responsibility for their zone of play. The referee therefore, should be positioned to maximise this interaction. The referee therefore, should be positioned to maximise this interaction. Understanding the dynamics of good positioning. The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker9 More Advanced Positioning CLOSE Once the referee can see through the point of contact there is great value in being close to play. Once the referee can see through the point of contact there is great value in being close to play. “Close ‟ should be interpreted as being between 10 to 15 metres from the ball. “Close ‟ should be interpreted as being between 10 to 15 metres from the ball. This increases the ability to “sell the decision ‟. This increases the ability to “sell the decision ‟. Understanding the dynamics of good positioning. The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker10 More Advanced Positioning The basic movement pattern for a referee is to be left of and behind the ball. The basic movement pattern for a referee is to be left of and behind the ball. Essentially the referee is simply concentrating on moving left of the ball. Essentially the referee is simply concentrating on moving left of the ball. In this way they are learning to apply the three components of Angle Ball and Close (ABC). In this way they are learning to apply the three components of Angle Ball and Close (ABC). Positioning Elements The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker11 More Advanced Positioning The player has the ball at his feet. Where is he looking? What is he looking for? The player has the ball at his feet. Where is he looking? What is he looking for? He is either looking to where he can pass the ball or where he can run the ball. That’s the target. He is either looking to where he can pass the ball or where he can run the ball. That’s the target. If the player is not being challenged by another player to get the ball off him don’t worry about what he is doing, look where he is looking, check and look for the targets he is looking for. If the player is not being challenged by another player to get the ball off him don’t worry about what he is doing, look where he is looking, check and look for the targets he is looking for. TARGETS AND WHERE? WHERE? GO? The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker12 More Advanced Positioning Once you spot those targets, once you see those places, he’s going to tell you what he is doing. Once you spot those targets, once you see those places, he’s going to tell you what he is doing. If he is starting to stand up and leaning back a little bit, he’s going to hit the ball long. If he has his head down he’s looking for a sort pass. If he is starting to stand up and leaning back a little bit, he’s going to hit the ball long. If he has his head down he’s looking for a sort pass. That’s how you start to tell. The players tell you where the target is going to be. That’s how you start to tell. The players tell you where the target is going to be. TARGETS AND WHERE? WHERE? GO? The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker13 More Advanced Positioning WWG helps the referee make the decision. WWG helps the referee make the decision. “WWG ‟ is a short-hand method of explaining the anticipation required of referees to achieve more effective positioning. The referee asks two questions and makes a decision: “WWG ‟ is a short-hand method of explaining the anticipation required of referees to achieve more effective positioning. The referee asks two questions and makes a decision: Where is play going? Where is play going? Where do I need to go to get the best view? Where do I need to go to get the best view? Go there now! Go there now! TARGETS AND WHERE? WHERE? GO? The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker14 More Advanced Positioning Good anticipation provides referees with more time to select the best viewing option. Good anticipation provides referees with more time to select the best viewing option. Not anticipating play means that referees have to chase the play, often at a fast pace, draining both physical energy and mental capacity, as well as limiting their positional options. Not anticipating play means that referees have to chase the play, often at a fast pace, draining both physical energy and mental capacity, as well as limiting their positional options. The sooner the referee begins the positional sequence the easier it will be to cover the required ground whilst selecting the best viewing option. The sooner the referee begins the positional sequence the easier it will be to cover the required ground whilst selecting the best viewing option. ANTICIPATION The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker15 More Advanced Positioning This process often starts in the middle of the field when an attacking move breaks down and the play starts moving in the opposite direction. This process often starts in the middle of the field when an attacking move breaks down and the play starts moving in the opposite direction. Many referees watch play go past them and then at some point begin to chase the play. Many referees watch play go past them and then at some point begin to chase the play. They are already behind play and getting further behind all the time. They are already behind play and getting further behind all the time. This leaves them limited time and positional options to get the best view. This leaves them limited time and positional options to get the best view. ANTICIPATION The ABC of good positioning

February, R. Baker16 More Advanced Positioning When play breaks down or changes direction quickly, and players are about to make contact, the referee needs to adjust position very quickly to be able to see the next phase play. When play breaks down or changes direction quickly, and players are about to make contact, the referee needs to adjust position very quickly to be able to see the next phase play. The referee should run into the place that will give him the best position; a good position in the shortest time. The referee should run into the place that will give him the best position; a good position in the shortest time. To do this the referee throws an X over where the point of contact will occur. To do this the referee throws an X over where the point of contact will occur. There will be a choice of two angles internal or external. When contact is about to occur you take the option that will let you see. There will be a choice of two angles internal or external. When contact is about to occur you take the option that will let you see. ANTICIPATION The X Factor

February, R. Baker17 More Advanced Positioning Obviously external angle is better but if you can’t get there in time you need to take the internal angle so you can see. Obviously external angle is better but if you can’t get there in time you need to take the internal angle so you can see. In the diagrams following we have two players coming together. The X shows the point of contact and the two vectors the referee can choose. In the diagrams following we have two players coming together. The X shows the point of contact and the two vectors the referee can choose. ANTICIPATION The X Factor

February, R. Baker18 More Advanced Positioning External View The X Factor

February, R. Baker19 More Advanced Positioning Internal View The X Factor

February, R. Baker20 More Advanced Positioning Any position that the referee takes during a game can be evaluated by seeing how effective it applies the three criteria of Angle, Ball and Close. Any position that the referee takes during a game can be evaluated by seeing how effective it applies the three criteria of Angle, Ball and Close. Angle is the most important because it allows the referee to see. It is worth 6 points. Angle is the most important because it allows the referee to see. It is worth 6 points. Ball helps keep the play between the referee and the assistants and is worth one point. Ball helps keep the play between the referee and the assistants and is worth one point. Closeness adds conviction to the decision and is worth three points. Closeness adds conviction to the decision and is worth three points. Evaluation Judging Positioning

February, R. Baker21 More Advanced Positioning Judging Positioning Criteria123 Angle036 Ball00.50 Closeness323 Total35.59

February, R. Baker22 More Advanced Positioning Judging Positioning Criteria1234 Angle4566 Ball0001 Closeness0333 Total48910

February, R. Baker23 More Advanced Positioning Whenever a referee moves the first criteria that they have to achieve is angle. Whenever a referee moves the first criteria that they have to achieve is angle. Once angle is achieved then the referee can attempt to get close to play. Once angle is achieved then the referee can attempt to get close to play. In essence the practice of general positioning can be summed up in two parts: In essence the practice of general positioning can be summed up in two parts: The basic strategy is to go left of play. The basic strategy is to go left of play. Anticipation (WWG) is the key to better positional options. Anticipation (WWG) is the key to better positional options. Evaluation Judging Positioning

February, R. Baker24 More Advanced Positioning If time is the most important factor, take the shortest route, but... If you have enough time to get a good angle, take the route that keeps you out of the way of play. The following example scenario is a typical situation that occurs in a game – check the positions shown for the best angle of view! POINTS TO CONSIDER: Getting the Best Angle of View

Referee SITUATION A Forward passes to the wing and runs for a return ball. Defender wants to win the ball Where can the referee go to get a good view?

Referee In order to see the tackle, the referee must move out of the “Blind Zone”. But which way should he go? THE SITUATION:

Referee SITUATION ‘A’ The quickest way? 10 metre movement 15 metre from clash

Referee SITUATION ‘A’ 1 To get even closer, (Method 1): 15 metre run < 10 metres from clash

Referee SITUATION ‘A’ Disadvantages?: Enough time to get there? In the way of subsequent action?

Referee SITUATION ‘A’ 2 To get even closer (Method 2): metre run 10 metres from clash

Referee SITUATION ‘A’ 2 Principal advantage (Method 2): Out of the way of any subsequent action

SITUATION ‘B’: Long aerial ball into the heart of the defence. Referee Referee’s blind zone Referee must get closer and a better angle of view.

SITUATION ‘C’: High cross into the heart of the defence, from the right. Referee Referee’s blind zone Almost anywhere on the left diagonal will give the referee a good angle of view.

SITUATION ‘D’: High cross into the heart of the defence, from the left. Referee Referee’s blind zone

Referee on “wider” diagonal Referee’s blind zone A quick, ten metre sprint off a wide, deep diagonal will get the referee a good angle of view.

February, R. Baker36 More Advanced Positioning Use of the old-fashioned “normal” diagonal may not give the referee the best angle of view in some important situations Use of the old-fashioned “normal” diagonal may not give the referee the best angle of view in some important situations Use of a wider, deeper diagonal allows the referee more flexibility in choosing a good view. Use of a wider, deeper diagonal allows the referee more flexibility in choosing a good view. Taking the angle of view into account will increase the likelihood of your making the correct call. Taking the angle of view into account will increase the likelihood of your making the correct call. In anticipation of any clash you see coming, be ready to move off your diagonal to get the best angle of view. In anticipation of any clash you see coming, be ready to move off your diagonal to get the best angle of view. Conclusions Modern Reality

Richard Baker Referee Positioning QUESTIONS ?