Assistant Referees – Lining

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Assistant Referees

In July 2014 we have had instructions regarding the use of the flag at Penalty Kick situations and the FA has now instructed that the well-used flag across the chest is no longer applicable, and not best practice. It is not used elsewhere by FIFA.

I have enclosed some relevant info  below:

Penalty Kick – Ref and AR – FA Guidelines:

ar-indicating-a-penalty-kick 1

ar-indicating-a-penalty-kick 2

FAQ’s:

Assistant Penalty Kick – Frequently Asked Questions

Make sure that as an AR you have a clear instructions from the Referee regarding penalty kicks in the pre-match instructions; if in doubt ask.

Pre-match Instructions

The below pre-match instructions have been compiled as a working document to provide inspiration for your pre-match instructions to neutral Assistant Referees. Please ensure that you adapt them to your preferences, and check back for any updates!

1. Teamwork

2. Seniority

  • Level of experience as acting as assistants
  • Management of technical areas
  • Substitutions (ensure in-coming player ready before calling over; speak with both benches to ensure that they are aware)
  • Recording of game (senior – writes all; junior – watches all)
  • Time-keeping (senior – stop watch as you would as a referee)

 3. Entering the FOP

  • Kit inspections
  • Net checks
  • Respect Handshake
  • Toss-up
  • Exiting half-time and full-time (come together in the middle and leave as a three, junior to watch technical areas as coming together)

4. Offsides

Yours, except for two instances,

  1. After a penalty save;
  2. You fall over
  • Better a late flag than incorrect therefore count 1,2,3 before flagging
  • Missed – wait until ball and play well clear before dropping

 5. Throw-ins

  • 3rds or creditability
  • Indication of direction for all throws
  • “strong leads”
  • If unsure, both hands on flag between legs to indicate “my decision “

 6. Corners / Goal kicks

  • Follow ball down to goal-line for credible decisions
  • If doubtful, then flag up then for CK or GK.
  • If out, but you are unsure then keep flag up until I indicate.
  • If from corner (and you are already behind flag) then flag up then CK or GK (if GK I would be expecting you to move away from Corner flag to be in line with 6 yard box.)

 7. Goal line decisions (Goal / No goal)

  • Follow ball down to goal-line for credible decisions
  • If goal, flag up (left hand) and flag quickly. Once I have seen move slowly towards half-way line. Not too quickly, as players will still want to see your position was credible.
  • If no, strong negative signal please.

 8. Free-kicks

  • My tolerance level, so flag for what I have missed, not what you have seen.
  • Consider your and my position before flagging, in order for players to view your credibility
  • Flag in correct hand, please and keep moving – may apply advantage
  • If necessary, I will want you to come onto FOP and make defenders 10 yards away
  • Break-aways – consider my position and angle of running. If I give a infringement near edge of penalty area  do not put flag across chest… If outside, stand still after whistle; if inside, move towards goal line after whistle

 9. Penalties

  • My tolerance level, so flag for what I have missed, not what you have seen.
  • apply the FA guidelines issued in 2014
  • Consider your and my position before flagging, in order for players to view your credibility
  • After decision, move onto goal line (mid-way between penalty area and goal area) – act as goal judge & goal keeper moving.
  • If re-take required, then stand (no flag)
  • If saved, I will cover you for the offside decisions – take shortest route back to correct position

 10. Dissent/Tolerance

  • My tolerance level will be different to yours.
  • Deal with as much as possible yourself. Speak to players yourself.
  • At this level, all options available – final warning, caution, dismissal

 11. Other disciplinary action

  • If after foul, you think player should be cautioned, then indicate by tapping chest pocket.
  • Off the ball – unless a dismissal, wait until next stoppage and attract my attention – assistants watch for each others flag.
  • At this level, all options available – final warning, caution, dismissal

 12. Mass confrontations

  • Senior – position yourself to watch benches do not interact!!
  • Get good viewing position of immediate problem & note runners
  • If needed, we will all meet to obtain info.
  • Dismissal first, then cautions, then benches.
  • How do we re-start?

 13. 4th Officials

  • Decide who is senior to take over, if I go down (Could be 4th official)
  • Takes full record of game, no assistants writing
  • Controls all substitutions, ensure in-coming player ready before attracting attention. If not ready, they wait. I will not wait for them, play will re-start.
  • Check kit & jewellery. Watch for sock tape, ankle protectors & sleeves.
  • If Mass confrontation, take control of benches.
  • All 4 together for decisions. Ensure dismissal leave area safely & do not interact with spectators or opponents benches.
  • How do we re-start?

Questions?