Question Number: 19681

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 8/3/2008

RE: metro Under 13

Brett of Brookfield, Wisconsin United States of America asks...

I was recently an AR for a regular season game on the fan side of the field. One Mom in particular continued to block the lane. Literally every time I turned around she was standing in the lane and I had to ask her quite a few times to move back. She would step back and I'd run past her and I'd turn around and she would be blocking the lane. this resulted in one missed call and then I'd had it. I told her to stand back and if she didn't stop I'd inform the center ref and have her removed from the game. Even this didn't help and she was removed. Is there someting else I should have done or done differently? because this incident has created some bad blood between the fans and referees in the league.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The Assistant Referee's lament -- why does everyone think standing in my way gives them any better view of the match?

What to do. First and by far the easiest is have the field marking guy mark a dashed line three or more yards from the touchline and make the spectators aware that going past that line is not a good thing.

Things I have done to correct this:

Fun thing number one. Before the match ask who is the meanest Mom present. Some one will always hold up her hand or many will look at the one -- that's your helper. Ask her to put her chair 5 yards away from the touchline and yell at anyone getting in her way. She will because that's a power thing and they quite enjoy things like that. So, you hear the lady yell 'Move'. That's a clue someone is in your way. If the someone doesn't move, ask the helper how come she didn't step in to correct the problem... Next time she will. Problem solved.

Fun thing number II. The first time the lady ignores you get the referee to intervene on your behalf.

Fun thing number C. Make some decisions exactly opposite what should be and always in favor of the 'other side'. When everyone starts griping -- say the lady in the blue shirt is blocking my view and I can't see a thing and I'm doing the best I can.

Fun thing number last resort. Apologize to the lady that you might bump into her because she is standing where you must run to do your job. Say it is very hard to concentrate on offside and watch for obstacles in your way. [This is why it is fun thing number last resort] Next time she is in the way run over her in the most painful [to her] way you can then take a dive. Hold something and moan sort of like an Italian National player then rub something that might hurt. Glare at her and glare at the referee begging for him to caution. Get up mumbling things like I didn't see you, I'm sorry, I hope I didn't hurt you -- [All lies, of course]. If she returns to her position on the line do it again until she gets the message she is a target for a linesman of mass destruction.

I have tried all these things and number last resort works the best though there are possible legal ramifications and possible litigation afterwards. Chose the one best suited to your level of unhappiness and depth of your pocket book. BTW I once put a sign in my front yard 'WARNING: SPEED CONTROLLED BY BRICKS'. There was a pile of bricks next to it. Does that tell you which fun thing I'll pick?

Enjoy. I'm sure my colleagues are shaking their heads about now...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The only thing this colleague can add: 'I have a stick and I know how to use it.'

Seriously, I've seen a parent or coach get smacked in the face with the flag as an AR made a call for a throw-in. Oops.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Hmm. I've been known to use 'last resort' myself. Amazingly effective, not recommended for the faint of heart. My next favorite is explaining why I'm missing calls...but like Ref Fleischer I do try to practice preventive refereeing before the game begins - it is most effective. I only ask people to move once. Small toddler or babies excepted - have been known to vault those!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I would remind them to move back, maybe warn them again, and then have the coach talk to them, and then refuse to restart match until problem is delt with. Of course having a line marked always helps too.