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. 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)

 

2. 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)

 

3. Offsides

• Yours, except for instances such as,

• You fall over

• Ball is clearly played back by a defender

• After a penalty save

• Better a late flag than incorrect therefore count 1,2,3 before flagging

• Missed – wait until ball and play well clear before dropping 

 

4. 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 “

 

5. 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.)

 

6. Goal line decisions (Goal / No goal)

• Follow ball down to goal-line for credible decisions

• If goal, flag up (left hand) and flag quickly (if buzzer flags are being used there buzz and flag). 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.

 

7. 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 an infringement near edge of penalty area. If outside, stand still after whistle; if inside, move towards goal line after whistle

 

8. Penalties

• My tolerance level, so flag for what I have missed, not what you have seen.

• A few things will happen:  If I’m there I see it I gave it. I’m there I see it I will cut the grass. I’m there I don’t have a clue and then I will be looking directly at you for a yes or no. If unsure do not guess!

• 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

 

9. 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

 

10. 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 other’s flag.

• At this level, all options available – final warning, caution, dismissal

 

11. 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?

 

12. 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?

 

Any questions?