Question Number: 13608

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 8/29/2006

RE: Other

Steve of Kansas City, MO USA asks...

I understand a club linesman is limited to signalling when the ball is out of play. However, what of the neutral AR on the other side? Is s/he similarly limted to even things up, or do you allow the AR to do his/her job and allow the "evening up" to take place in the second half? It would seem the latter is the better course, so the poor referee (me) can provide some extra coverage to the half of the field with the club linesman, secure in the knowledge the AR is there to help me out on the other side.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The assistant referee is to do her job as outlined in Law 6. She provides just a tad more assistance because you are going to shade toward the club linesman. You're exactly right!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, I would shade towards the side of the club linesman.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. The AR that is supposed to be there is to do her job that she is being paid for. This is another example of why I don't allow my ARs to change sides at the half. If you did here, one team would have a real AR the entire game and the other no AR.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Alexander

You are right, the club AR typically will signal ball in and out of play only. However, the referee can afford them more responsibilities at their discretion. This will only apply if the club AR is known to be competant but is certainly not recommended. You'll find that you will adapt your coverage of the Field of Play to run a curved diagonal to compensate for the club line - this will bring you closer to the play in front of the club AR.