Question Number: 14061

Mechanics 10/6/2006

Gil Acedo of Pasadena, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13991

Re:#13991

This question brings back memories that still haunt me today. I was being assessed as an assistant referee when I looked away for just a second to address a heckler seated behind me. When I looked back I saw a ball flying through the air whose path would cause it to land in the attacking half of the pitch in front of and at the feet of 2 attackers who were several yards ahead of the nearest defenders.

I promptly raised my flag to signal offside and of course the Center Referee blew his whistle to stop play and raised his arm to signal an IFK. I stood there proudly with my chest puffed out, knowing that the assessor was observing an AR worthy of an upgrade, when I heard this voice behind me say, "That was a throw-in, Pal."

Needless to say, I failed the assessment (I have since passed) which was bad enough, but for several years afterward I had to suffer these pre-game instructions from my referee-chums, "Oh, and Gil, don't forget, there is no offside on a throw-in." And, to this day, I haven't.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Gil,
All I can tell you is lessons learned are good ones if the mistakes are not repeated. If as AR there are distractions to the point you can not ignore them as you should, you flag the referee and make it known your attention is being divertedby having to put up with the
clown(s).
The word focus is an understatement when it comes to AR duties and responsibilities. As you know a moment of inattentivness and all your hard work as an official with impecable integrity and sense of honour to keep the match within the boundries of fair and equal play can go sour on one crucial point of the match where an outcome or blame could be fixed on you no matter that it was an accident or a distraction. That is why an AR 's job is so difficult because to remain on high alert for an entire match the transition from nothing to something can occur in the blink of an eye.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

80% of your viewing time on the last but one defender. The 0ther 20% is spent on the touchline, the referee's back, the other assistant, the referee's front and foul play in front of you. What's left over is spent checking for a coach and his assistant standing on the touchline in your way because they are unable to see from where they should be. That leaves nothing left to engage in intelligent discussion with some yahoo who ain't gonna listen anyway.

Offside is supposed to be easy Gil -- looking the other way does seem to throw some extra sierra into the equation. But, you knew that -- sorry.

For the guys detesting the yahoo carping about everything call the referee over. Ask him to do something about it. If he refuses go play with someone else, it's more fun. That night call the assignor and threaten him with weapons of mass destruction should you be assigned with that referee again...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Gil, we've all done it but every time I look at a coach/parent/heckler whatever, I know I just put myself in a position to miss something very important. Glas to hear you passed next assessment

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yeah I have had to think twice about that before. Tough assessor to fail you just for that.