Question Number: 12461

Pre-Game 3/31/2006

RE: rec

joe of scs, Michigan usa asks...

In a pre-game meeting ,what should the center ref. go over with his assistants. And the other question was, when a goalie gets a red card,does a player on the field gets to go in goal, or another goalie comes in from the bench,and a player gets off the field ? That would leave the team with 10 players.

Thank You
Joe.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Some of this depends upon how familiar the center ref is with the ARs. When working with ARs I don't know I go over what I expect from them. They are told offside is their primary responsibility and reminded to keep up with the next to last opponent or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. I expect them to run all balls to the end line. I go over their duties on penalty kicks, corner kicks, and goal kicks as well as substitutions. I tell them to call fouls if I miss them but to give me a directional as to which way the kick is going. I also designate one to replace me if I cannot continue and give them authority to check in late arriving players or to evaluate players returning to the field after an equipment problem. Lastly, I remind them to watch their entire line as to if the ball is in or out and if they need to get my attention, I tell them to do wahtever is needed.