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
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Level of experience as acting as assistants
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Management of technical areas
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Substitutions (ensure in-coming player ready before calling over; speak with both benches to ensure that they are aware)
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Recording of game (senior – writes all; junior – watches all)
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Time-keeping (senior – stop watch as you would as a referee)
2. Entering the FOP
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Kit inspections
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Net checks
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Respect Handshake
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Toss-up
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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
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Yours, except for instances such as,
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You fall over
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Ball is clearly played back by a defender
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After a penalty save
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Better a late flag than incorrect therefore count 1,2,3 before flagging
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Missed – wait until ball and play well clear before dropping
4. Throw-ins
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3rds or creditability
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Indication of direction for all throws
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“strong leads”
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If unsure, both hands on flag between legs to indicate “my decision “
5. Corners / Goal kicks
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Follow ball down to goal-line for credible decisions
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If doubtful, then flag up then for CK or GK.
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If out, but you are unsure then keep flag up until I indicate.
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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)
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Follow ball down to goal-line for credible decisions
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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.
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If no, strong negative signal please.
7. Free-kicks
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My tolerance level, so flag for what I have missed, not what you have seen.
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Consider your and my position before flagging, in order for players to view your credibility
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Flag in correct hand, please and keep moving – may apply advantage
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If necessary, I will want you to come onto FOP and make defenders 10 yards away
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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
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My tolerance level, so flag for what I have missed, not what you have seen.
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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!
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Consider your and my position before flagging, in order for players to view your credibility
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After decision, move onto goal line (mid-way between penalty area and goal area) – act as goal judge & goal keeper moving.
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If re-take required, then stand (no flag)
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If saved, I will cover you for the offside decisions – take shortest route back to correct position
9. Dissent/Tolerance
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My tolerance level will be different to yours.
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Deal with as much as possible yourself. Speak to players yourself.
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At this level, all options available – final warning, caution, dismissal
10. Other disciplinary action
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If after foul, you think player should be cautioned, then indicate by tapping chest pocket.
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Off the ball – unless a dismissal, wait until next stoppage and attract my attention – assistants watch for each other’s flag.
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At this level, all options available – final warning, caution, dismissal
11. Mass confrontations
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Senior – position yourself to watch benches do not interact!!
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Get good viewing position of immediate problem & note runners
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If needed, we will all meet to obtain info.
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Dismissal first, then cautions, then benches.
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How do we re-start?
12. 4th Officials
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Decide who is senior to take over, if I go down (Could be 4th official)
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Takes full record of game, no assistants writing
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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.
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Check kit & jewellery. Watch for sock tape, ankle protectors & sleeves.
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If Mass confrontation, take control of benches.
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All 4 together for decisions. Ensure dismissal leave area safely & do not interact with spectators or opponents benches.
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How do we re-start?
Any questions?