Question Number: 24959

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/17/2011

RE: Competitive Adult Men's Adult

Michael Bernecker of Chambersburg, PA United States asks...

I had a situation similar to week two week in review dealing with tackles of excessive force. The attacker was attempting a cross right next to me near the goal line. The attacker successfully crossed the ball into the goal area. The play took place right literally in front of me in my quadrant. As the AR I was focused on my primary job of the offside. I missed a send off tackle of excessive force. How do I position myself to make the call right?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The hardest calls are sometimes ones that explode just in front of you. It is difficult to see what happens from that perspective. This is why referees are advised to be 10 - 15 yards towards play, but not closer. But, don't worry about missing a foul - - the offside decision is your primary responsibility. Moreover, you are part of a referee team, and the referee should be in position to see and make a call on a tackle using excessive force.

So, how can you get better at both your primary and secondary responsibilities as an assistant referee?

I found great benefit from refereeing indoor soccer. In a small, contained field, a referee can get experience with lots of fast play and 'exploding calls. '
Everything seems to happen within ten yards. You will still miss a lot (which is why you have a partner), but you will learn how to widen your focus when things happen near you.

On the outdoor field, practice using peripheral vision during less challenging matches. It is possible to see both the player in offside position and a wider area of play. The key is to move your eyes, when square to the field, not your head. The focus, however, must remain on the priority responsibility, offside.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
The key here is anticipation and what is likely to happen. Fouls using excessive force are usually signalled in advance with the opponent coming at speed towards the opponent. First off your position is set by the positioning of the 2nd last defender so that cannot change. From that position a quick glance at the likely offside situation followed by a glance to the challenge area will show the position of the players. I then widen my peripheral vision to keep the challenge area in view. The referee also has to be positioned to see the contact area and it is really his call on SFP.
Usually as well the referee will only look for confirmation of the SFP nature of the foul and when I anticipate what is going to happen it really as a help to him not as the sole judge of the offence.
As a referee I would be disappointed if I missed a SFP offence anywhere on the FOP even in the AR's quadrant.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As you say, offside is your primary duty. Given that, the next to last opponent or the ball is your line. And, you have to watch and take snapshots constantly as to who is off and on. And you expect to be able to see all fouls why?

Being an AR is incredibly difficult once you get to U14 competitive play. I've worked competitive adults before as an AR. In fact I still remember my first adult men's game and getting screamed at by the players for not making any decision on a ball out of play. My assignor has never understood why I don't want to AR. I'll take the center any day.

I think the more games you work, you begin to feel fouls coming. That said, no one will be happy if you stop watching for offside and while looking for a potential foul, a goal is scored and everybody is looking at you for an offside call/no call and you didn't see it!! Make sure you have offside covered first and foremost. The referee should be in position to see VC and SFP

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 24993