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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?

 

Barkston Ash Referees' Association QUEST GOLD

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