1. AYSO National Referee Program
Officiating as a Team
AYSO National Referee Program
#516

2. Goals Discuss the importance of the pre-game discussion
Discuss AR signaling and the need for subtlety and proper communication in higher-level games
Discuss referee positioning

3. Questions
You show up to referee a U-19 game at an unfamiliar field. Your two ARs are already there. They are both National Referees.
What is the shortest comprehensive and effective pre-game statement you can make?
You’re looking for “Everything according to USSF Guide to Procedures”.

4. Answers “Everything according to USSF Guide to Procedures.”
Students may say that USSF has withdrawn Guide to Procedures. Indicate that AYSO will continue to follow the latest version of GTP (2012) until we come out with our own guidance document.

5. Question
In the previous situation, what might you add to the pre-game if you have time?
Possible answers: the “hand out with palm up” indicating “I saw it; keep playing”; signal for time has expired; positioning and responsibilities during free kicks near the goal; special instructions for handling misconduct and fights.

6. Question
You are an AR and signal a throw-in by Red. When Red #5 takes the throw-in, you see one foot leave the ground before the ball leaves #5’s hands.
What should your signal be?
Some students will wave the flag similar to the initial signal for a foul or a misconduct. This is a bad thing as it tells the referee that something terrible has happened. A better signal is simply to indicate a throw-in for the other team or, at most, flag straight up to get the referee’s attention, and then a throw-in signal for the other team.

7. Question
I am the referee and you are an AR. Red is on the attack and I follow play away from you, across the halfway line and deep into the other half of the field. Even though play is way down field, you clearly see Red touch the ball last before it goes over your touchline and stops about three yards off the field.
What is your officially-approved flag signal?
The AR has no flag signal at this point because the ball is in the referee’s quadrant. The AR should only signal if the referee looks to him for help in making the call.

8. Question
In the previous situation, what subtle signal could you give, just in case the referee looks at you for help?
One possibility: flag held in the hand that the assistant referee WOULD have used to make the call, still held down but slightly in front of his legs so as to be visible. If the referee looks for help, he’ll see the subtle signal and will be able to make the call without an obvious first signal by the AR.

9. Question
I am the referee and you are the lead AR. I’m following a Blue attack and you sprint down your touchline towards the corner flag to keep up with play. Blue takes the ball down to the goal line and although play is on the far side of your goal, you clearly see a Red player kick the ball out for a corner kick restart.
What is your officially-approved signal?
Once again, no flag signal until the referee looks for help.

10. Quadrant AR
Quadrants for determining who has the responsibility for the first signal on throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks AR 10

11. The ARs’ Quadrants: AR Has First Call
When running a left-wing diagonal R AR 11

12. The Ref’s Quadrants: Ref Has First CallAR R AR 12

13. Question
I’m the referee and you’re an AR. Red is attacking your goal from your left to your right. You see a Blue player foul a Red player right in front of you. What three things should you consider before you flag the foul?
Did the ref see it? Would the ref have called it had he seen it? Should advantage be played?

14. Question
If you decide to flag the foul, what is the officially-approved first part of your signal?
Based on the scenario, all flags should be up and held in the right hand – the direction that the free kick will be indicated in the second part of the signal.

15. Question
I’m the referee and you’re an AR. I’m behind play and call a direct free kick for the Blue team just outside Red’s penalty area. You saw the foul and realize that it actually occurred within the penalty area.
What’s your officially-approved signal?
Flag held sideways between the legs: the “loin cloth” signal.

16. Question
You’re the lead AR and you see a Red defender trip a Blue forward within Red’s penalty area.
What four things should you consider before flagging the foul?
Did the ref see it? Would he have called it had he seen it? Should advantage be played? And, for a penalty kick, is the foul worthy of a game-changing event?

17. Question In the previous scenario, you decide to flag the foul.
What is your entire, officially-approved signal?
Four-part signal: hand up in the right hand (indicating that the attackers were fouled); make eye contact with the referee and wave the flag; when the referee whistles give the “loin cloth” signal; walk towards the corner flag.

18. Question
In the previous scenario, you believe that the Red defender denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
What should you add to your signaling?
Pat the rear pocket of your shorts (where the red card is ostensibly kept).

19. Question
In the previous scenario, Blue takes the penalty kick and scores a goal.
Unless otherwise discussed during the pre-game, which official should record the goal first?
Correct order is TLC: trail AR, then lead AR, then center (referee). This is done to keep two pairs of eyes on the field at all times during this moment of high emotion.

20. The Magic Lines that none shall Pass
There are invisible force field lines that control how wide and deep many referees will go. 20

21. The Magic Lines that none shall Pass
Many referees refuse to go deeper than approximately the “20 yard line”. 21

22. The Magic Lines that none shall Pass
Many referees will not go wider than the middle of the field when the ball is in the AR’s quadrant. 22

23. The Referee is running a Mini-Field
Many referees will not go wider than the middle of the field when the ball is in the AR’s quadrant. R 23

24. Wide & Deep Enough to make the Call?
20 yards from play: can’t see fouling in front of the players; won’t know what the call is if the ball goes over the goal line. D R A 24

25. Now he is! D A R 25

26. Wide and Deep Enough AR A D R
Yes, the AR is right there. But should the referee really be yards from play? 26

27. Better, but be ready for a CrossAR A D R 27

28. Throw-In Positioning AR A AR 28

29. Throw-In Positioning AR A AR 29

30. Good Position AR A R
Some referees feel the need to stand where they can indicate where the throw-in should be taken. This is an easy way to quickly become drastically behind play. AR 30

31. Better AR A R
Use anticipation to estimate where the ball will land. AR 31

32. U-19? Be Ready For A Long ThrowAR A R AR 32

33. Another Possibility AR A R AR
Some students may indicate that they’ve been told not to position themselves off the field of play. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with doing so. AR 33

34. Goal Kick Positioning GK
Some referees spend the entire match having the ball kicked over their heads on goal kicks – another case where they wind up drastically behind play for no good reason. 34

35. First U-19 Kick Of The GameGK R
Anticipate a long goal kick – while looking back towards the kicker, the ball should land around 10 yards in front of you. 35

36. Vary Position if they Kick ShorterGK R 36

37. Corner Kick PositioningAR A GK
Many assessors ask referees to intentionally vary their positions on a corner kick in order to keep players guessing where the referee will be. In practice, the position should vary automatically. AR 37

38. Start with USSF Preferred PositionGK R AR 38

39. If You Can’t See The Keeper, MoveAR A D A GK D A R AR 39

40. That’s Better! AR A D A GK R D A AR 40

41. Time to Move Again! AR A D GK A R D A AR 41

42. Better, but… AR A D R GK A D A AR 42

43. Now You’re In The Way AR A A D R GK A D A AR 43

44. So, Move Again AR A A D R GK A D A AR 44

45. Questions?

46. Goal for Referees
Support the delivery of a great AYSO experience for players and others!
How will this workshop help you support this goal?
Thank you!

47. Thank you for attending!
#516