1. Running the Line: Assistant Referee Mechanics and Duties
Fall 2010

2. When finished with this presentation the student will know basic AR responsibilities, mechanics for offside, as well as touchline and goal line ball out-of-play restarts.
Fall 2010

3. The Referee Team
The Referee and two Assistant Referees (ARs) are the THIRD TEAM
This team determines the
quality of the match

4. The Team’s “Field” The Referee runs diagonal (standard diagonal shown)
Each AR covers ¼ of the field
sees what’s ahead and behind the Referee
judges most offside calls and ball out of play restarts in their area.
AR 1
AR2
Referee

5. The Team’s “Field”
Sometimes the Referee runs a “reverse” diagonal when field conditions dictate
AR covers ¼ of the field
sees what’s ahead and behind the Referee
judges most offside calls and ball out of play restarts in their area.
“reverse” diagonal
AR 1
AR2
Referee

6. The AR During Play…
Always stays with 2nd to last defender or ball – whichever is closest to goal line
Stays square to field by sidestepping or sprinting when necessary
If ball is in opposite end of field and if 2nd to last defender is in their opponents half of the field, stops at the half way line
Being an AR is not easy – concentrate and stay in position
Make sure there is room to run your line – move subs, bench personnel and fans away from touchline.
If sun is in your eyes, ask referee if you can wear a cap or sun glasses to shield your eyes
Always, always, always be in position – in line with 2nd to last defender or ball and square to field.

7. AR Responsibilities What are they? PROVIDE ADVICE & ASSIST the Referee
Supervise substitutions
Back up time
Back up book (score, cautions, ejections, etc.)

8. AR Responsibilities: Pre-Game
Arrive 30 min early – dressed & looking like a referee
Meet with the Referee !!
Check player equipment, player passes
Check condition of field, goals (anchored), holes in nets, etc.
Fill-in if Referee is delayed (check field, game balls, coin toss, etc.)

9. AR Responsibilities: Pre-Game AR-Referee Pre-game Meeting
Get to know the Referee, and the level of anticipated game play
Discuss unusual field/weather conditions & special league/tournament rules
Find out how the Referee wants you to “call and communicate”
DEMONSTRATE your expertise and knowledge before the game
Make certain the Referee knows that you are a part of the team

10. AR Responsibilities: Pre-Game Entering the Field
Enter field as a team, walk to center with Referee -- sprint to check your goal (anchored, nets) -- take position on touch line
Line up with the second-to-last defender
Count players in your end - Unfurl your flag – signal referee - “We are ready to play”

11. AR Responsibilities: In-game Leaving the Field – Half Time
Leave field as a Team
Ask “did I miss anything?”
Ask Referee why they chose to wave off your call(s)
Inform Referee and other AR of anything unusual you observed

12. The Referee can accept, or “wave off” advice from the AR
AR Provides Advice by …. ?
EYE CONTACT
Flag
Other nonverbal signals (as per pre-game)
The Referee can accept, or “wave off” advice from the AR

13. AR Provides Advice on … Offside – when and where
“Goal” versus “no goal”
Substitutions
Ball out-of-play (throw-in, goal kick, corner kick)
Fouls – when and where
Touchline problems

14. AR Offside Advice (1)
Player in offside position becomes involved in play
AR Mechanics….?
Stop immediately
Face field (at attention)
Raise flag straight up (held still)
Upon Referee acknowledgement, move on touch line to point of infraction
Signal (near, mid, far) where on the field the infraction occurred
If not acknowledged, HOLD SIGNAL until direction of play changes (defender or keeper takes possession, goal kick awarded)

15. Player guilty of the offside infraction scores
AR Offside Advice (2)
Player guilty of the offside infraction scores
AR Mechanics….?
Stop immediately
Face field (at attention)
Raise flag straight up (held still)
Upon Referee acknowledgement, move on touch line to point of infraction
Signal (near, mid, far) where on the field the infraction occurred

16. AR Offside Advice (3)
Attacker other then player that scores is guilty of the offside infraction (in AR’s opinion)
AR Mechanics…?
Stop & hold position at attention (with flag down)
Make eye contact with Referee
Signal “see me”, if they continue to just look at you (they may need help)

17. AR Goal Line Advice Ball completely crosses goal line….. Then . . .
SPRINT TO THE GOAL LINE
Then . . .

18. AR Goal Line Advice (1) Ball last touched an attacker Restart ?
Goal Kick
AR Mechanics when ball out in AR’s area
Stop
Turn body toward touch line
Display flag parallel to ground pointed at goal area
Correct?

19. AR Goal Line Advice (1) Ball last touched an attacker Restart ?
Goal Kick
AR Mechanics when ball out in AR’s area
Stop
Turn body toward touch line
Display flag parallel to ground pointed at goal area
Correct?

20. AR Goal Line Advice (1) Ball last touched an attacker Restart ?
Goal Kick
AR Mechanics when ball out in Referee’s area
After referee has signaled for goal kick AR confirms referee call
Display flag parallel to ground pointed at goal area
If ball goes out of play and back in – AR raises flag vertically until acknowledged by referee – then signals goal kick

21. AR Goal Line Advice (2) Ball last touched a defender Restart ?
Corner Kick
AR Mechanics???
Stop immediately
Face field
Point flag at downward angle to YOUR corner arc
NEVER RUN beyond corner arc, and NEVER raise flag to point at opposite corner

22. AR Goal Line Advice (3) Obvious Goal Scored
AR Mechanics???
Make Referee eye contact
Immediately turn to face
up-field
Hold flag field-side
Sprint yd upfield along the touch line, stop, and then face the field

23. AR Goal Line Advice (3) Funky “Good” Goal ball in and out of goal but the goal is good
AR Mechanics???
Run to corner flag
Raise flag straight up
Make Referee eye contact
When referee blows whistle, Sprint upfield as in normal goal mechanic

24. AR Goal Line Advice (3) Funky “No” Goal ball looked like it went into a goal but it didn’t
AR Mechanics???
Make Referee eye contact
Indicate nothing
Continue normal AR mechanics

25. AR Goal Line Advice (4) “No” Goal ball obviously in the net but it’s not a good goal
AR Mechanics ???
Stop & hold position at attention (with flag down)
Make eye contact with Referee
Signal “see me”, as per pre-game

26. AR Substitutes Advice
When legal substitutes are at midfield BEFORE goal kick or same-team throw-in …
AR Mechanics ???
- Face field
- Flag over head, held with two
hands (never hold flag cloth)
- Maintain until recognized,
then IMMEDIATELY drop flag

27. More AR Substitutes Advice
If necessary - other AR mirrors the signal to direct referee’s attention to the other side of the field
As per Pre-game - AR supervises substitution - when complete, AR signals Referee

28. AR Touch Line Advice Throw-In
Ball crosses touch line in Referee quadrant – AR Mechanics ?
Wait for referee to show direction then mirror referee
Ball goes out and comes back in – raise flag vertically
Ball crosses touch line in AR quadrant – AR Mechanics ?
Face field and raise flag at 45o, in the direction of the throw-in
Hold flag until making eye contact with Referee

29. AR Touch Line Advice Throw-In
A re-throw is advised when …
Ball never crossed touch line
Wrong team took throw-in
AR Mechanics ???
Raise flag raised straight up – transfer flag to proper hand to indicate direction

30. AR Touch Line Advice Throw-In
Change of possession advised when…
Thrower lifts foot
Did not bring both hands properly
from behind the head
Thrower had one or both feet
completely on field
AR Mechanics ???
Signal with flag raised straight up – transfer flag to proper hand to indicate direction of ball possession

31. A foul has been committed that Referee may not have seen…
AR Fouls Advice
A foul has been committed that Referee may not have seen…
AR Mechanics?
Stop
Face field (at attention)
Transfer flag to proper hand to indicate direction of restart Raise flag straight up
When eye contact is made, wave or wiggle flag

32. AR Fouls Advice Defender Commits Major Foul in Penalty Area
AR Mechanics ???
Make eye contact, if referee does not indicate anything, then…
Stop, face field, raise flag, and signal the “foul”
When acknowledged, hold flag across lower body indicating a PK, as shown to the right
Walk to corner flag

33. AR Fouls Advice Where is AR on a Penalty Kick ???
Intersection of goal line and penalty area line
Straddle the goal line, flag down, in hand closest to Referee
Watch whether ball (100%) crossed goal line and keeper infractions - as per pre-game
If keeper moves illegally keeping a goal from being scored – stay in position with flag across lower body
Signal goal scored by following normal goal procedures
Play continues – resume normal AR position to judge offside

34. AR Caution or Dismissal Advice
AR Mechanics ???
Stop, face field and signal “foul”
CAUTION - Move hand to suggest possible caution (yellow card) … hand over badge (as per pre-game)
DISMISSAL - Move hand to suggest possible dismissal (red card) … to cover rear shorts pocket (as per pre- game)

35. Fans, Coach or Player Problems
NEVER ARGUE WITH ANYONE
A brief word can advise player or coach of your dissatisfaction
If problems persist, use “see me” signal to summon Referee

36. Game Advice for ARs NEVER …. NEVER
Lose eye contact with Referee for more than a few seconds
Communicate verbally when a standard signal can be used
Fail to support the referee team
Take your eyes off the field to watch non-game events (except sideline incidents)

37. Game Advice for ARs NEVER …. NEVER
Argue or discuss game with parents, fans, players or coaches
Threaten cautions or dismissals – always call over the Referee
Attempt to overrule or embarrass Referee
Touch a player, coach or fan
Touch the ball
Give advice to players

38. After the Match
Meet Referee and leave field as a Team – shake hands on the field
Collect equipment and leave area as a Team
DO NOT DISCUSS game or Referee calls with anyone but the Referee Team

39. Getting Better as an AR Always ask Referee, “what can I do better?”
Start centering appropriate games
Request feedback from assessor, if the Referee is being assessed
Take additional classes
Visit referee advice websites:

40. Running the Line: On-Line Module Quiz
Name (Print): _______________________________
Print this page, answer the questions and bring with you to recertification
What are 3 responsibilities of the Assistant Referee?
How does the AR communicate with the Referee?
How should the AR show the referee they believe an attacker other then player that scores is guilty of the offside infraction?
How should the AR handle a fan that is being so loud and abusive that they cannot do their job as an AR?
What is the AR’s position during dynamic play?