Question Number: 25418

League Specific 9/11/2011

RE: Competive Under 13

Sarah Decelles of Carlsbad, ca san diego asks...

Can you have a parent of the home team as a sideline referee for GU 12 competive level. The game had a official center ref and one official sideline ref. Is that legal to have a parent as a sideline ref? Does there need to be sideline ref or just a center ref at that age?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The answer to all your questions is yes. You can legally have any of the things you ask about. The question is SHOULD you and the answer is a resounding NO as it just invites trouble. A few times a was an Assistant Referee on one of my kid's games and I found myself, in an effort to be fair, favoring the opponents.
At U12 Rec most places allow for just a center. At U12 Competitive, most places require a 3 man crew

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sarah
Yes it does happen and it is not a good idea. Even if the parent AR is 100% in all his decisions, his impartiality can be questioned which is never helpful.
It also places additional pressure on the parent which is again unhelful.
I was a CR referee in a game last season and one of the ARs was an official referee and also a parent. I told him in the pre match discussion that it was best that he did ball in and out and offside calls only which would be the duties assigned to a club 'linesman'. Late in the game I had to wave away a penalty call on his side. I heard afterwards that some parents questioned him on why did he not flag for the penalty. Ultimately it is the CR that makes all the calls and he is assisted in those decisions by the ARs

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Sara:

The preferred method in San Diego County (which, as you know, is where your child plays) is for three, neutral, trained referees. Other places may differ.

But, it is not always possible (injury, car problems, shortage of referees) to have three trained referees. It is lawful for the match to be played with one referee and one or two parents or spectators acting as club lines. Unlike assistant referees, club lines are not neutral. They only indicate when the ball is out of play for a throw-in. They should not indicate fouls or offside.

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

See Question: 25440