Question Number: 18934

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 4/30/2008

RE: Under 17

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

Could you share some thoughts on some of the nuances of calling a game as an AR.
For example, (and this may seem tivial) When waiting to judge active involvement after a long kick to a teamate in an offside position I was told to stop and plant myself at the moment the ball was kicked and judge active involvement from that spot.
I normally follow the play until involvement is realized and then plant myself and signal.
Perhaps you may have some other advice on "AR etiquette". Is there anything that as a Center you sometimes find disrespectful or annoying? Maybe a top ten list? (would ten be enough!?)
Some AR's snap there flag even when I am in their line of site. I find this somewhat annoying. What do you think?
Your collective wisdom on this would be most welcome.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Oh yeah, I have some thoughts on the subject:

1. Not being at the last but one defender or the ball whichever is closer to the goal line.

2. Having the flag in an improper hand when signalling foul play or the ball over the touchline and back into play.

3. Not making eye contact before signalling.

4. Failing to go to the halfway line when a substitution is taking place.

5. Not being able to keep up with an attack because of fitness or health issues but accepting the match anyway.

6. Flagging for a throw-in in my end of the park before me and then showing opposite direction.

7. Flagging for a goal kick or corner on my side of the by line and coming up opposite.

8. Shooting the breeze with spectators.

9. Showing up to a match inside the required 30 minutes for any reason. [If there is traffic you leave earlier]

10. Not reflecting me when I take a decision for foul play, a throw-in, a goal kick or a corner kick and one person disagrees with that decision.

I have more... Of course an assistant referee who reads and heeds the Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials isn't going to make these mistakes, is he?

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I have no idea why some referee's preference in the pregame would ask an AR to not follow the ongoing play given how offside delayed flags are far more prevalent now then ever before and offside involvement may not occur at all leaving you vulnerable and out of position! If assessed I certainly would make a note of the things required that were DIFFERENT than the normal.

I have had referees ask me as AR to set the walls or cover free kicks in my quadrant and they assume offside responsibilities. I enjoy the confidence of a referee knowing I can do these things but I prefer to reassume my place correctly with 2nd last opponent or the goal line before the restart so if the referee decides he wishes to signals the restart and not allow me that opportunity it is their match their decision , their responsibility.

Easily the most frustrating thing in my opinion as a referee when it comes to ARs is a lack of effort.
We can make allowances for inexperience and if the speed of play is faster than one can run it is fact we must anticipate and try to accommodate. We know how nervous some can be and how crowd noise and pressure affect some more than others, however, it is always hard to tolerate a lack of attention, a lack of fitness and a lack of understanding because the AR simply does not seem to care or bother to attend training or upgrade sessions!

The primary responsibilities of an AR are to assist the referee with the laws of the game ensuring the safety of the participants. The number 1 priority assigned is offside law 11 as the 2nd last opponent or the ball closest to the goal line is their baby but they must grasp the basic idea of position and involvement and when that flag MUST be raised and when it it is required not to be raised. My colleague Ref Fleischer lists the mechanics and proceedures of how effective communication is maintained but if all else fails use your voice as the 2nd priority is under no circumstances allow me as referee to screw up the match.

A pregame complete with field inspection is essential so if one is late or sloppily attired it goes towards credibility if the demeanour attitude and appearance has already affected the match!

The FOCUS of an AR is possibly the hardest task to accomplish because there are many distractions as well as periods of time where simply inactivity lulls you to a false confidence. In a 90 minute match you can be bang on until the 87th minute when a quick reversal of fortune creates a goal that you are out of position and reduced to a 50/50 guess to get it wrong.

A good referee will limit the AR problems by protecting them and ensuring the coaches are within the technical areas and the touchlines are free and clear of spectators. That said comments will be overheard and directed at, most which are ignorable many are distracting, some by a quick word are solvable and some unfortunately must be dealt with by getting the referee?s attention to fix the problem.

The AR to do their job can not be conversing with the coaches or spectators to explain things during a match. Not only positionally to always be in the RIGHT spot to see the most but mentally alert in behind the play to watch trouble spots between players or ensure the substitutions run smoothly.

It is why a 4th official in pro matches effectively takes this duty of the technical areas to ease the burden on the senior ARs level of concentration. A good 4th will engage more on a personal level in greater comfort than an AR ever could.

I demand a solid effort and will place confidence and support behind any AR that I can see is trying to do their best even if it is deficient by technical or fitness standards. ARing at first is no different than refereeing, in that most are more scared of making a mistake then getting things right. For a referee we need to blow the whistle with some measure of authority for the AR they need to look at the referee and raise or not raise the flag as it is required.
Cheers