1. Refereeing with Fewer Than Three
08/19/14
Refereeing with Fewer Than Three
This is the header slide for the 2017 Workshop presentations.
#524
AYSO National Referee Program 1

2. Course Objectives Briefly review DSC
Understand what needs to change if fewer than 2 ARs
Provide guidance in managing match with club linesman
DSC review is strictly for context – do not get sidetracked into lengthy discussion

3. DSC with Three Referees: Boxing Play
Touch line
Goal line
AR1
Offside
Fouls and
injuries R
Direction of play
AR2
Slides 3-4 are only setting up the foundation of the class and should not become the focus. KEEP IT TO 5 MINUTES!
Before discussing this slide make certain the students understand the construction of the slides. Point out “Direction of Play”, Referee (Red-R) Assistant Referees (Red-AR) and area of responsibility of AR (Heavy solid-Primary, Heavy broken, secondary).
Emphasize the concept of keeping the ball between the referee and assistant referee (boxing).
Point out how the referee and AR interact to best monitor goals, boundary line, offside, fouls/misconduct and restart issues.
The position of the referee will vary to some extent with the age of the players for all position slides.

4. Three Referees: Four Eyes on Play
AR1
AR2 R
Emphasis on this slide is that the DSC is not a “railroad track”. Referee position will vary based on the action of the players, skill of AR’s and match conditions.
Goal is that, optimally, we will have both Referee and AR looking at the same event.
DSC concept: Referees and Assistant Referees constantly vary their positions to maximize the likelihood that one is properly situated to judge any event that occurs.

5. What Do Officials Need to Monitor?
Scoring of a goal
Ball over a boundary line
Offside
Fouls/misconduct
Technical infringements (on restarts)
Issues outside the touch line
The question “What Do Officials Need to Monitor” appears first. The bulleted items appear at next “page down” command.
Seek responses from students before displaying the bulleted items. Write answers on flip chart and keep visible throughout workshop.
Use the slide as a summary of the “best” student responses. Take time to mention only responses not given by students.
While slide is displayed, ask the two questions in the Lesson Plan, relating to who has responsibility for each event and what the priority of observing events is.
Ask the students to prioritize the events.
Before proceeding with the next slide, Ask two questions to set the focus of the class –
What events are more difficult with fewer than 3 trained officials; and
What is the impact of having only one or two referees in each situation?

6. What is impact if fewer than three?
Referee only?
Referee + 2 club linesmen?
Referee + AR + club linesman?
Slide indicates the variations that will be discussed in the class.
Solicit answers to “What’s the Impact” before showing next slide.

7. What changes with fewer than three?
The referee’s position is driven by match priorities.
The referee’s priority choices will depend on the player age and skill.
Increased physical effort required by Referee to get into position to assess priorities.
The points will add in one at a time.
Ask the class to answer the question about change in position and demand on the crew with fewer that three trained officials before showing the proposed answers.

8. Impact of Fewer Than Three
Monitoring usual events (offside; restarts; player conduct; boundary line) become more challenging.
Referee must establish priorities.
-Priorities must be adjusted as game progresses.
-Priorities affect positioning.
Using club linesmen reduces some compromises the Referee must make.
Physical demands increase for the referee.
Use this chart to summarize student inputs from previous slide

9. Manage Expectations Prior to Kickoff
Meet with both coaches
Describe how you are handling lack of qualified AR(s)
May request them to recruit volunteer club linesman
Remind coaches that certain calls may be missed due to lack of AR support
-Offside
-Ball in/out of play
-Some fouls
Consider re-iterating with team captains/players during equipment check or coin toss (more effective with older teams)

10. Positioning: Starting When Solo
Start with the standard diagonal.
Modify position as game requires.
-Move with play; don’t wait for it to pass by.
-Attempt to get required depth and width
Take advantage of restarts to reestablish position.
Ask: how might position modifications vary depending on age and skill?
- U10 or U12 offside and goal scoring is more important than fouls (can be further from active play)
- U16/19 fouls/misconduct become more important – impact positioning (need to be closer to play)
Incorporate responses into discussion as you present topic.

11. One Referee: Realistic Referee CoverageCL R
This slide depicts the expanded area of Referee responsibility with only one trained official.
Discuss the possible impact of this diagonal including: 1) fatigue, 2) may be behind play, 3) difficulty being in position of offside, 4) properly identifying goals, or ball out of play for corner kicks or goal kicks. CL

12. Refereeing Solo: Implications
Ideal: Referee goes deeper and wider than in DSC;
-Reality: coverage will be shallower and narrower.
Judging ball on goal line is next to impossible.
Judging close offside requires being ahead of the ball at both ends, which is extremely hard or impossible.
For older players, tight control is essential.
-Limit use of advantage
Again initiate discussion on how this depends on age/skill.
- what are priorities (fouls, goals, offside, etc) and how do they change with age/skill
- how does referee position and focus change?

13. One Referee: Recruit a Linesman or Two!
Why recruit linesmen?
Today’s linesman is tomorrow’s referee (linesmen are good source of recruits for referee training).
AYSO is a volunteer organization; volunteers are needed (spectators might need reminding that they are needed!)
With assistance, the referee makes fewer compromises.
Cover these points as an introduction.
If it’s necessary to discuss recruiting linesmen, use the material in the lesson plan at this point. Do not dwell on this, as it distracts from the main purpose of the lesson. If you judge students have had this information, do not demonstrate recruiting club linesmen.

14. DSC with One Referee What is impact of club linesman?
Referee can focus on priorities: goals, fouls, offside
Club linesman provides assistance for balls going into touch
Show the Question “Why Else Recruit Linesmen.” After the question appears, ask “Why bother, isn’t it easier just to do the game by yourself?” After a discussion animate the four bullet points. Use as a summary of student responses. Take time to mention only responses not given by students.

15. Instructions for Linesmen
Where they move (along half of touchline)
What they signal (ball in and out of play ONLY)
How they signal (flag straight up)
What’s “in” and what’s “out”?
How to handle linesman who “knows offside”?
What about the goal line?
Remind students that someone volunteering as a linesman for the first time might not know where to stand and move, what they are watching for, and how to signal it when they see it. New linesmen need to know where to move (along ½ the touchline) and what they are watching for (ball completely over touchline and goal line). New linesmen also need to know how to signal.

16. Acknowledge Club Linesman Efforts
Thank them for volunteering prior to starting the match
-Make them a part of the team
Include them, if possible, in any half time referee team discussions
Thank them at the end of the match

17. Restart a Position without AR
Discuss where the referee should be for standard restarts with no assistant referee available to take the usual position/responsibilities for the following slides -
For U-10;
U-12 to U14; and
U-16 to U18 matches

18. DSC with One Referee: PositioningA R B D E C
Direction of play
A = Corner Kick Referee Side
B = Corner Kick Far Side
C = DFK Attacking Third
D = DFK Outside Attacking Third
E = Penalty Kick
X = Throw In X
This in an introductory slide for the discussion of Referee position for set plays. Explain the diagram and indicate to students that they will be asked to suggest positioning. Emphasize that while there are suggested locations, referees are expected to modify their location based on the specific game situation. Make certain the students understand there is no “wrong” answer and that they should consider the pros and cons of each suggested.

19. DSC with One Referee: Positioning
A = Corner Kick Referee side
Direction of play
For this and remaining slides addressing restarts, discuss each restart. Note: in each case, the referee’s position is displayed after clicking. If time permits, discuss with the students how these positions might differ with Assistant Referees.
On this play the Referee must be in a position to observe play as well as increased responsibility for the ball crossing the goalline, especially for a goal.
However, the Referee is at risk of being struck by the ball while looking at players jockeying for the anticipated play. The Referee is also at risk of a long transition in play. This position may only work for those referees who are very physically fit or for the youngest age games. A better position may be near the intersection of the penalty arc and the penalty area as shown on the next slide. R A

20. DSC with One Referee: PositioningB
Direction of play
B = Corner Kick Far side
The Referee will move in towards goal line with players. Referee must be in a position to observe play and offside as well as increased responsibility for the ball crossing the goalline, especially for a goal. R
Moves in with players

21. DSC with One Referee: Positioning
Direction of play
C = DFK in attacking third
On DFK with a possible goal scoring the Referee must be in a position to judge offside and a possible goal. C R
Positioned to monitor offside

22. DSC with One Referee: Positioning
Direction of play
D = DFK outside attacking third D R
In zone of play
The Referee will focus primarily on play.

23. DSC with One Referee: Positioning
Direction of play
E = Penalty Kick E
On a PK the Referee must be prepared to judge encroachment, goalkeeper movement as well as the goal.
Mention that if the kick doesn’t score and play continues with a counterattack/clearance, the referee will have to hustle, but that’s unavoidable. R

24. DSC with One Referee: PositioningX
Direction of play
X = Throw-In Far side R
The Referee will “pinch in” further towards center of field. After the throw, the Referee adjusts to play. Referee must be in a position to observe play as well as increased responsibility for the ball crossing the goalline, especially for a goal.
Moves closer to far touch line; prepares to move with play or towards goal line with play as needed

25. DSC with One Referee
Recommendation: Avoid doing games solo: get two club linesmen!
Club linesman is an asset!

26. DSC with Two Neutral Officials
One is the referee, one is an assistant referee
-AR will be given additional responsibilities during pre-game conference.
A club linesman is used on the other touch line.
This is the only acceptable configuration.
If you want to demonstrate how to recruit club linesman, wait until the next section, which focuses on linesmen.
This slide mentions the need to give different instructions to AR.
Special instructions to a lone AR are covered in more detail later in lesson plan; see Slides on People Management.
The dual system (two referees on the field with whistles) is not authorized for use in AYSO matches!

27. How Can AR Provide Additional Help?
Be prepared to manage whole half while referee recovers from deep position in club linesman’s half
Help with fouls/misconduct outside own quadrant
More proactive managing player behavior
Ball in/out further into Referee’s quadrant
Solicit inputs from class: What might you do differently depending on the age/skill level of players?
Use the bullet points to summarize key ways to use AR; keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list.

28. DSC with Two Officials: PositioningCL
Touch line
Direction of play
Fouls and
injuries R
Goal line
Ask the students to discuss the differences in positioning with two referees. Emphasize: 1) greater dependence on AR, 2) CR must cover off side on the CL end. 3) Needs to be closer to play in the CL area of responsibility. Also discuss increased role of AR 1) Primary area of responsibility may enlarge due to position of Referee 2) Needs to watch the Referee’s back. Incorporate potential variations based on skill/age (solicit input from attendees)
Referee will need to lead play to watch for offside AR

29. Two Officials: Idealized Referee CoverageCL R
Slide demonstrates change in DSC pattern showing greater area of responsibility for Referee near the CL. But emphasize that this is idealized. AR

30. Two Officials: Realistic Referee CoverageCL R
Switch back and forth between this slide and the preceding one to emphasize the difference in coverage area. More responsibility is given to AR to reduce the burden of the Referee and allow more Referee attention in front of the Club Linesman. AR

31. Fewer Than Three: People Management
Younger players’ games
Focus on the adults
Have pre-game discussion with coaches
Older players’ games
Pre-game w/coaches
Focus on players
-“Sign up” the players for low offside expectations
Limit use of advantage
Failure to detect fouls can lead to loss of control
Use this slide as a summary of student responses. Discuss younger players game then animate to older players and discuss. Emphasize only those not covered in the discussion.
Discuss Referee requirements to identify fouls off the ball when refereeing with less than three. Discuss before showing Slide 31

32. 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
Seek responses from students before displaying this side. Use only as a summary of student responses. Mention only responses not given by students.

33. Two Officials: AR Helps with Problem PlayersCL
When play is here R
Emphasize additional responsibilities of AR when refereeing with two officials
AR watches players behind referee’s back AR

34. And remember: the dual system is not authorized for use in AYSO!
Summary
Refereeing with fewer than three referees is a compromise.
Use principles of the DSC to adjust position to compensate.
Set priorities and position yourself to maximize your ability to judge goals, offside and fouls.
A club linesman is an asset.
Use each bullet point as a summary of the workshop. Make certain any questions of the students are answered.
And remember: the dual system is not authorized for use in AYSO!

35. Thank you for attending!
#524