Pre-Game Instructions

Here is a checklist of items that a referee should cover with the assistant referees before a game. Please be as comprehensive as you can when working with inexperienced referees.

· · Designate:

teams and field sides

senior AR

time backup/game length

· · State diagonal

· · Positions and Responsibilities:

Dynamic play - second-to-last defender or the ball whichever is closer to the goal line

Throw-in

Corner Kick

Penalty Kick

Position

Responsibility

Signal Goal

Good goal – eye contact, sprint 10-15 yards up the line (flag at side, look toward the field)

Illegal goal – eye contact, go to corner and stand at attention

Signal Offside -Consider

Position

Timing

Involvement

Hold Signal Until

Whistle

Wave off, or

Advantage to defending team

Fouls:

Signal (foul, direction, if IFK)

In front of referee

Behind referee (severity)

Penalty Area

Ball Out of Play:

Responsibility

Signal

Free Kicks near goal (position)

Ball In Play Signals

Mirror signals

· · Fights (constantly monitor areas away from Center Referee’s attention)

· · Ask for Questions

Instructions on Fouls

If you see a foul, look at me, and wait a heartbeat or two. If I am blowing the whistle (or bringing it up to my mouth) or if I am calling "Play-on," you don't need to do anything. If I am not doing these things then I did not see the foul, or from my position on the field I did not see it as a foul.

You now have to make a decision on whether you think play should be stopped. If you decide to allow play to continue you don't have to do anything. If you think play should be stopped, stop, raise your flag (in the appropriate hand) and give it a good shake. If I decide to stop play, I will blow my whistle. Immediately, point the direction of the free kick with your flag at a 45-degree angle. If it is a penalty kick, point your flag straight down, then walk to the corner. If it is an IFK, raise you non-flag hand to so indicate, and jog to the corner if it is in the penalty area for the attacking team.

If I decide not to stop play, I will give the advantage signal ("Play on!" and upswing of the arms) to indicate a foul has been committed (and observed by a member of the officiating crew) and that I am allowing play to continue. As I bring my arms down I will clearly wave you back to your position.

If I miss your signal wait a few seconds, drop your flag and return to your proper position. If the foul directly results in a goal let me know (per discussion – “Signaling a Goal” above). If I am missing your signals let’s discuss it at half time or after the match.

If an off the ball foul occurs behind my back, I always want you to signal it and I want the other AR to mirror the signal. These fouls are the most dangerous to the referee's control of the match and I always want to deal with the players involved.

Remember, selling any call depends on presence. The further away the foul the harder it is to sell the call and the more likely that I will not see your signal. Keep that in mind when fouls are not within 10-20 yards of you.

Role:

to indicate a situation so that Ref may decide (except over touch line—not Ref’s decision)

Flag should be in the hand nearest the field; should be held still while running or moving

Eye contact

Second to last defender

Keep time and records

Ball out of play over the touch line - vertical signal

If signal from trail official is not visible to Ref, the other A/R mirrors the signal

Goal Signal:

Good goal: sprint up field 15 –20 yards

Questionable goal: stop, “attention” position; Ref will come to you

Offside:

Flag vertical; after whistle, infraction far side (above 90 degrees, center (90) or near (below 90 degrees)

If waved off, return to second to last defender

Over touch line:

A/R’s half of field: signal

Ref’s half of field: signal if ref needs help (vertical in appropriate hand for up or down field)

Over goal-line for goal kick:

Signal 90 degrees toward Goal Area if from the far post to you; Ref has far side

If Ref signals before you in your area, mirror Ref’s signal

Over goal line for corner kick:

Point to your corner if from the near post to you.

On the far side of the field, Ref’s call; but may need your help (point to your corner)

If Ref signals before you in your area, mirror Ref’s signal

Free kicks:

If call made by A/R, short arm signal for IFK

Eye contact with Ref to determine position

Second to last defender or wall

Penalty kick:

Move to the intersection of the goal line and penalty area (to watch the GK and be goal judge)

If a save is made, move quickly to the offside position

Fouls:

Two kinds: those the Ref cannot see, or very obvious in front of A/R

Eye contact; Flag vertical with slight wave; if waved off, lower the flag

PK indication (some Refs will instruct not to call): flag lowered to center-front of body and walk to the corner

Misconduct:

Do not call Ref if you can handle with verbal warning or does not warrant a card

Draw Ref’s attention with flag up and body language

Describe incident to Ref and possibly recommend punishment

Substitutions:

Get Ref’s attention

Indicate substitution with proper flag signal

Supervise the player changes

Timing:

Signal down the last five minutes