1. Presented by John White Referee Instructor Published by Eric M. Scott
WTSRA April Meeting
Presented by John White
Referee Instructor
Published by Eric M. Scott

2. February 2014 Agenda Announcements Upcoming Tournaments
League Assignments
MLS Referee Review
Tactical Awareness – How Teams Play?

3. Presented by John C. White Referee Instructor
Announcements
Presented by John C. White
Referee Instructor

4. Announcements (cont.) Grade 8 Entry Level Class
July 11th, 12th, & 13th
Arlington High School
5485 Airline Road, Arlington, Tn.
Instructors – J.C. White & E.M. Scott

5. Announcements (cont.) Assignor’s Meeting Summer 2014 Mandatory Meeting
Location to be Determined
“Guidelines on Assigning Pertaining to the New Referee Classifications”

6. Presented by John White Referee Instructor
Upcoming Tournaments
Presented by John White
Referee Instructor

7. Upcoming Tournaments Blue City Blowout February 28th – March 2nd
Mike Rose Soccer Complex
U8 – u19 Boys & Girls
Assignors – Mike Mears & Doug Irby
Games fees will be post on
For more information

8. Upcoming Tournaments Adidas Premier Invitational May 2nd – 4th
Mike Rose Soccer Complex
U9 – u18 Boys & Girls
Assignors – Mike Mears & Doug Irby
Games fees will be post on
For more information

9. Presented by John White Referee Instructor
League Assignors
Presented by John White
Referee Instructor

10. League Assignors TSSAA Boys High School Play Starts March 4th
Assignors – Rich Lando & Jack “Panther” Winckleman
For more information
“Matches & Availability”
“Local League Contact”

11. MLS Referee Review

12. MLS Referee Review

13. Tactical Awareness USSF Grade 6 Presentation

14. Tactical Awareness U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 6 State Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the most competitive game within a state and region.
This presentation focuses on tactical awareness.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 6 State Referee Course
Most Competitive Games Within State and Region

15. Tactical Awareness Defensive play Man-to-man marking Zonal marking
Attacking play
Direct play
Wide play
Pace play
Aerial play
In order for referees to have better match control it is important to develop tactical awareness on how teams play.
In defensive play referees will see either man-to-man marking or zonal marking.
Both of these systems will occur mostly in the defensive third or midfield areas of the field.
Each system has a different impact on the types of fouls that players will commit.
In attacking play, referees are most likely to see these four different styles; direct play, wide play, pace play, or aerial play.
These plays typically start in the midfield and continue into the attacking third of the field.

16. Man-to-Man Marking Player tactics Increase in holding fouls
Greater potential for retaliation
Referee tactics
Get to a position to maximize view
Move quickly to location of foul to minimize retaliation
When teams are playing man-to-man marking, where each defender has a specific attacker that he or she is responsible for, there is an increase in the likelihood of holding fouls to be committed due to players being in close proximity to one another.
There is also a greater potential for retaliation to occur.
Referees who are aware that teams are defending man-to-man can utilize their own tactics for match control purposes.
Referees will need to get to a position where they can maximize their view on the play.
Referees will also want to be sure that play is in between themselves and the lead assistant referee.
Referees will need to get to the location of the foul quickly in order to minimize the potential for retaliation.
Their presence can be a natural deterrent for that type of misconduct as the player who was fouled can see that the referee has things under control.

17. Zonal Marking Player tactics
Defenders mark attackers within their zone
Defenders moving with speed may result in an unfair or reckless challenges
Referee tactics
Sprint to get close and adjust position
Assistant referee tactic
Be prepared to assist on counterattacks
When teams are playing zonal marking, where defenders mark attackers as they enter their zone of responsibility, referees will often find defenders moving at full speed in order to make up for a greater distance versus man-to-man marking.
As a result, unfair challenges are more likely to occur.
These are often reckless if the defenders have mistimed their runs.
Referees must sprint to in order to get close to play, while adjusting position in order to get the best angle of view.
Assistant referees must also be prepared to assist with counterattacks.

18. Direct Play Player tactics Long aerial passes
A team changes defense into attack quickly, to put pressure on opponents
Excellent way of beating an offside trap
Referee tactics
Anticipate long balls
Quick reaction and sprinting is required to ensure a clear view and good angle
It is also important for referees to understand attacking play tactics.
The first discussed is direct play.
An example would be the use of long aerial passes, where the team will change defense into an attacking play as soon as possible to put pressure on their opponents.
This is an excellent way of beating an offside trap.
When teams use this tactic, referees must anticipate long balls as defenders are looking to get the ball to their attackers as soon as possible.
This will require referees to react quickly and sprint to ensure that they can get a clear view and a good angle on the play as it transitions down the field.

19. Wide Play Player tactics
Ball is directed to teammates on either touchline who try to beat defenders and cross the ball into the penalty area
Referee tactics
Awareness of possible tactical fouls
Requires constant mobility
Wide views to see next phase of play
Wide play, also known as flank play, is when the ball is directed to teammates on either touchline who try to beat the defenders and cross the ball into the penalty area.
Referees must be aware that this is a time where tactical fouls are more likely to occur.
It requires constant mobility from referees, who need to have wide views in order to see the next phase of play.

20. Pace Play Player tactics
Players use their pace to turn defenders or chase the ball played in behind the defense
Holding fouls are likely
Referee tactics
Accelerate into a position with good angle of view to see between players
Assistant referee tactic
Be prepared to assist due to better angle
Pace play is when players use their pace to turn defenders or chase the ball played in behind the defense.
Holding fouls are more common and there is an increased potential for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Referees must accelerate to get into position with a good angle of view, with the possibility of having to see between players.
Assistant referees must also be prepared to assist as they may have a better angle on the play as it develops.

21. Aerial Play Player tactics Targets for teammates
Use aerial strength for scoring opportunities
More player contact
Referee tactics
Requires a lateral view
Aware of persistent infringement
Big decisions in the penalty area
Aerial play is when players, usually tall players, become targets for teammates.
They will use their aerial strength to create goalscoring opportunities.
There is often more player contact when teams are using aerial play tactics.
Referees must move to get into position when they have a lateral view of the play to see the aerial challenges, where players will often push their opponents in the back when they are both going up.
This is a time to be aware of persistent infringement as it is common with aerial play.
Referees will be faced with some big decisions to make when aerial play takes place within the penalty area.

22. Systems of Play Common formations 4-4-2 4-3-3 3-4-3 3-5-2 4-5-1
Referees must also be aware of the various formations and systems of play that teams employ.
These are varied and can change at anytime during a game.
An understanding of defensive and offensive formations used by each team can assist the referee in their preparation and subsequent actions.
Some of the more common formation are listed here.

23. 4-4-2 The most common formation is known as a 4-4-2.
In this formation, the midfield supports both the defense and the offense.
There are two central midfielders, one goes forward to support the offense.
The other central midfielder will play a holding role, and gives extra protection to the defense.

24. 4-3-3 The 4-3-3 formation is an attacking line-up.
In a there are three midfielders that play close together to help protect the defense.
There are three strikers split across the field to provide width to the offense.

25. 3-4-3 Online Training Script:
Playing can also provide a good deal of positional and tactical flexibility for teams.
Again, a more compact defense can be supported by a layered midfield or allow a team to simply commit more numbers to attacking space wide and up the field.
This formation may also see players employ a short passing style while allowing them to defensively swarm the opponent when not in possession of the ball.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

26. 3-5-2 Online Training Script:
The formation sees a more central and compact defensive trio support a variety of midfield approaches that can result in or
This formation can also allow for a great deal of tactical flexibility depending on the team’s needs throughout the game.
This formation can provide teams with a numerical advantage in midfield allowing for increased pressure on the ball that can lead to turnovers and counterattack opportunities.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

27. 4-5-1
The formation is often a sign that a team will be committed to keeping numbers behind the ball and this approach might be used to protect a result late in the game.
This system can also be employed for teams that like to sit back and absorb pressure while looking for breaks on the counterattack.
The lone striker is typically used as a target and is required to hold up play while his or her teammates move to support the attack.

28. Substitutions Player tactics May alter the way a team has been playing
Opposing team may make substitution to nullify possible threat or change tactics
Referee tactics
Aware of players’ strengths
Ability to adapt to change and adjust positioning
Substitutions, whether due to an injury or for tactical reasons, will have an impact on the game.
Substitutions may alter the way a team has been playing.
For example, a team may replace a tall forward whose strength was aerial play for a quick player whose strength is pace play.
It is likely that the opposing team will make substitutions to nullify the possible threat and change in tactics.
Referees must take notice when substitutions are made.
Not only will the substitution have fresh legs, but the referee must also be aware of players’ strengths.
This requires that the referee have the ability to adapt and change.
In particular, the referee will need to adjust their positioning.

29. Set Plays Player tactics Variation of free kicks and corner kicks
Invading players space
Referee tactics
Aware of players’ tactics
Preventive refereeing
Mobility to maximize views of possible offenses
Tactical awareness is also important during set play situations.
There will be variations on free kicks and corners kicks.
For example, be aware if the kicker is left footed or right footed relative to the side of the field that the kick is being taken from.
Also, anticipate if the kicker has the ability to strike directly to score a goal.
Players will often invade their opponents space.
This is common when attacking players stand in front of the goalkeeper on a corner kick or in front of a defensive wall on a free kick.
Referees must be aware of the players’ tactics.
This is a great time to utilize preventive refereeing techniques, as discussed in the U.S. Soccer presentation on command presence.
Set play situations also require mobility from referees to maximize their view of possible offenses.

30. Final 10-15 Minutes Player tactics
Awareness of score at this stage may lead to tactical changes
Player fatigue
Referee tactics
Aware of possible changes
Adjust profile
Concentration
The final 15 minutes of any match is a critical time.
Awareness of score at this late stage in the game may lead to tactical changes by teams in order to defend a tight lead or to score the equalizing or go-ahead goal.
Players may also start to show signs of fatigue during the final minutes and may become more desperate.
Referees must be aware of possible changes and react accordingly.
This might mean adjusting the profile in order to get a better view on the changing team tactics.
Concentration is critical, and often becomes more of a challenge for referees in the final minutes.

31. Review Question
In defensive play, referees will likely see which of the following types of marking play?
Man-to-man or zonal marking
Zonal or wing marking
Man-to-man or direct marking
Wing or direct marking

32. Review Question
When teams are playing zonal marking, does each defender have specific attacker that he or she is responsible for?
Yes No

33. Review Question
Referees must be aware that tactical fouls are more likely to occur during which style of play?
Direct play
Wide play
Pace play
Aerial play

34. Review Question
Referees must take notice when substitutions are made because substitutions may alter the way a team has been playing. Is it true that, as a result, referees may need to adjust their positioning after a substitution?
Yes No

35. Join WTSRA

36. Join WTSRA! WTSRA $20 for 2014 Payable to Ray S. (WTSRA Treasurer)
$10 for under 22
Payable to Ray S. (WTSRA Treasurer)
Why Join WTSRA?
Attend 5 WTSRA Meeting
Pay Dues
No Recert. Class Required. No John. No Eric. No Boredom for five hours.
Take Recert Test On Line

37. Party Party Party ! John will be in India!
Next WTSRA Meeting
May 6:30 p.m.
Central Church
Topic – Unknown
Party Party Party ! John will be in India!