1. NFHS Soccer Dual System Mechanics
4/15/2017
NFHS Soccer Dual System Mechanics
Tarrant Chapter TASO Soccer
Oct 22, 2009
(Adapted from: High School Soccer Referees Association
of Greater St. Louis Compiled and Edited by Mike Stosz)

2. Objectives Identify responsibilities of dual system officials
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Objectives
Identify responsibilities of dual system officials
Perform basic mechanics in prescribed manner
Describe general patterns of movement
Describe major set positions used
Identify responsibilities of Lead/Trail officials
This set was developed to standardize the mechanics of dual officiating in high school soccer.
The presentation of the set should enable each official to:
- Identify the primary responsibilities of an official
- Perform basic mechanics in the prescribed manner
- Describe the general patterns of movement during the game
- Describe the major set positions used on the field
- Identify the responsibilities of the Lead and Trail officials

3. Authority and Procedures
UIL Soccer Manual (Rule 5,Art 1)
Sec 1204 Constitution and Contest Rules - Officials Pay structure
NFHS Soccer Rules
Dual-Officiating System, p.83

4. Head Referee Conducts pre-game conference(s) and instructions
Make decisions on points not covered by Rules
Match authority on rules interpretation, equipment legality
Who’s the Head Referee?
Planned dual will be designated
Unplanned dual? Higher ranking

5. Referee Team Pre-game Inspect field/players together
Determine lead/trail directions (left or rt.)
Decide touchline/goal line responsibilities
Review proper mechanics/techniques
Emphasize eye contact; consult if needed
Simultaneous whistle – defer to head ref
Coordination Issues
Substitutions
Injuries
Restarts

6. Pre-game with Coaches Don’t “apologize” for doing a dual
Don’t suggest match will be called differently or that team’s need to adjust for dual
DO explain procedure if 3rd shows
DO address subs “check-in”
Do stress officials have equal authority on foul calls

7. Responsibility for Restart Whistle
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Responsibility for Restart Whistle
Trail whistles start
Lead whistles start
In making the call, the referee who SEES the violation blows to stop play. (click) - Exception… a whistle not needed to stop play ever time the ball goes out of touch. Only when needed to stop players if ball has left the field.
For ceremonial restarts, kickoffs or after a substitution, play may not restart after a stoppage until a whistle sounds. At all other times, the offended team is permitted to take a quick restart.
(Click) - When a restart whistle is required, the lead official will restart play… (click) except on kick-offs and goal kicks when the trail referee will sound the whistle.
Kickoff(s)
Drop Ball ?
Goal Kick
Throw In (Trail side)
Corner kick
Penalty kick
Free kick
Throw In (Lead side)
Subs – official responsible for restart whistles

8. Making the Call - Eye Contact Essential
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Making the Call - Eye Contact Essential
The referee who sees the violation whistles for stoppage and quickly deals with the offender if needed.
It is essential that each official be in position to provide complete coverage of the field.
Referee who SEES the violation, whistles

9. Out of bounds responsibility
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Dual System of Control
Each official is responsible for calling the out-of-play on the “L” pattern indicated by the touch line and goal line markings.
This will change if running opposite patterns due to sun, etc.
Out of bounds responsibility

10. Adjust to flow – Lead Official keys on Lead Attacker
4/15/2017
Keep play in between on the yard rope
As both lead and trail move with the play, they adjust to the flow of play. Try to keep about yards from play, 40 yards apart. Box in play between them.
Adjust to flow – Lead Official keys on Lead Attacker

11. 4/15/2017
No Touchline Hugging
Each official will generally cover the green area during the course of a game. The pattern is NOT rigid but FLEXIBLE!
Flexible Pattern – requires high work rate to stay close enough to play and still be able to cover the offside decision

12. Covering “coffin corner”
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Covering “coffin corner”
As the play moves toward the “Coffin” corner, the lead official moves in toward the play while watching for offside.
The trail official moves down near the penalty area to insure proper coverage from the rear and opposite side of the field.
Trail must press down with play. Lead is usually screened and must split his focus to determine offside.

13. Running off the field may be required
4/15/2017
Running off the field may be required
The official may have to run near the touch line as required, or even leave the field altogether. Here, the lead is almost off or completely off the field.
Notice the trail official has moved toward the center of the field since play is so far to the other side and away from him.
Just like diagonal system? Lead referee should be closer to the goal than the thrower, in order to cover goal scored as well as offside.

14. 4/15/2017
Play near the goal
Left side
- As play reaches the goal area, lead should be near the goal line, possibly off the field
- Trail should be at or near the penalty area
Right Side
- As the ball remains in play, lead should be at goal line, in position to determine a goal, but OUT OF THE WAY!
- The trail should move out as play develops into the penalty area
Lead referee across the goal may be necessary, but may also compromise the offside decision.

15. Goalkeeper clearances Goal kick Penalty kick Throw in Drop ball
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Set Positions
Start of Play
During play
Free kick
Corner kick
Goalkeeper clearances
Goal kick
Penalty kick
Throw in
Drop ball
The next section presents a series of positions to be taken by officials, normally at restarting play
( Click to display each topic to be covered. )
- Start of Play
- During play
- Free kick
- Corner kick
- Goalkeeper clearances
- Goal kick
- Penalty kick
- Throw in
- Drop ball

16. 4/15/2017
Start of Play
- Trail official near half-way line covers kick, whistles to start
- Lead official down field about yards anticipates ball and play coming his way

17. During Play Free Kick Left side During Play
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During Play
Free Kick
Left side
During Play
- Lead official is up with furthermost attacker, covering play and offside
- Trail official about yds behind, across field, keeps play boxed in. trail… be careful you don’t come up too far to prevent you from covering offside should direction abruptly change. Also, be very mindful of your physical ability to cover this distance..
Right Side
Free Kick
-Trail comes parallel to ball, observes placement, encroachment, delays
- Lead is upfield, anticipates play, covers offside (possible goal) and whistles for restart

18. Free Kick in Attacking Half
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Free Kick in Attacking Half
Trail referee:
Moves even with ball
Covers:
placement
encroachment
delays
(Restart whistle when ceremonial. Ensure Lead is in position.)
Lead referee:
Moves ahead for
Play/goal coverage
The trail official comes down even with the ball, to the ball if needed
- (click) Oversees
(click) Proper placement of the ball (don’t get picky about what blade of grass it is on)
(click) Watches for encroachment
(click) Consider and penalize any attempt to delay the restart (UC)
Confirms direction and type of restart
(click) The lead official will move ahead into position to anticipate the play, watch for offside and possible goal.
(click) Whistles for restart after eye contact with partner
(Eye contact or repeat DKF/IFK signal to show readiness.)
A quick restart will be a positioning challenge

19. Corner Kick Goalkeeper Clearance Left side Corner Kick
4/15/2017
Corner Kick
Goalkeeper Clearance
Left side
Corner Kick
- Lead positions at goal line near post, anticipates goal area play and in/out bounds play, whistles restart (if needed)
- Trail positions at corner of penalty area, covers players in penalty and goal areas
Right side
Goalkeeper clearance
- Trail near corner of penalty area, covers goalkeeper moving outside area. 4 step rule and release timing.
- Lead moves up field, anticipates play coming his way

20. Goal Kick Penalty kick Left Side Goal Kick
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Goal Kick
Penalty kick
Left Side
Goal Kick
- Trail official at corner of penalty area.. monitors placement, encroachment, observes ball leaving the area, if needed whistles to restart.
- Lead official upfield, anticipates play, like the goalkeeper clearance setup
Right side
Penalty Kick
- Lead official at/ behind goal line near post covers kicker, goalkeeper, and scoring. Whistles for kick
- Trail official at corner of penalty area covers encroachment, delays, offside.

21. Throw In Left side Throw in from far side
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Throw In
Left side
Throw in from far side
- Trail official controls throw on far side
- Lead official moves toward center, anticipates play
Right side
Throw in at near side
- Lead moves ahead of throw, covers throw, anticipates play
- Trail moves toward center of field, also covers throw, anticipates mid-field play
Ref covering throw whistles for restart after sub… after OK signal from partner

22. Dropped Ball Trail official controls drop ball
4/15/2017
Dropped Ball
Trail official controls drop ball
Lead official anticipates play
Direction of play could change quickly
Officials need to be ready to adjust quickly
Drop Ball
- Trail official controls drop ball
- Lead official anticipates play
- Direction of play could change quickly
- Officials need to be ready to adjust quickly
(NFHS Rules seem to
Indicate that there is a
Restart whistle on
Dropped balls??? Don’t!)

23. Set Positions - Discussion? Questions?
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Set Positions - Discussion? Questions?
Start of Play
During play
Free kick
Corner kick
Goalkeeper clearances
Goal kick
Penalty kick
Throw in
Drop ball

24. Remember “Dual in Dual System” is NOT spelled “duel” As always, teamwork is the key to success.

25. NFHS Soccer Dual System Mechanics
4/15/2017
NFHS Soccer Dual System Mechanics
Tarrant Chapter TASO Soccer
Oct 22, 2009
(Adapted from: High School Soccer Referees Association
of Greater St. Louis Compiled and Edited by Mike Stosz)