Question Number: 16120

Mechanics 7/25/2007

RE: Regional U21 Mens Competitive -Ottawa Distr.- Under 19

tony borges of kingston, ontario canada asks...

Can an AR switch sides at half time? For example: to give him a 'break' from the sun?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Why not? The Laws of the Game don't mention how referees are cover the field, although there are a myriad of other publications with helpful suggestions. Generally accepted is having an AR on one side covering half the field and an AR on the other side of the field covering the other half, with the referee running a roughly diagonal path in between. Whether they switch sides at the half doesn't really matter, as long as the referee can remember where they are located so as to best solicit the help and advice they render. In the UK, they tend to run what we call a reverse or right diagonal, while the US & Canada usually use a left diagonal, but either works just as well, although if one doesn't practice using both, it can make your signals look funny! Bottom line is for the referee team to cover the field, however they manage to rearrange themselves to the conditions to accomplish this necessary set-up.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Ms. Maloney is correct in that it is not against the laws. BUT....it my opinion for the best interest of the match this should not be done unless it is an absolutly necessary. Why? - If the ARs switch halfs, then the same AR is watching the same defensive line as before and is calling offside on the same team again. This is not the best thing in my opionion. If the ARs stays on the same half of field, but switches sides, then the referee most likely is going to get mixed up. Just my opinion.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Tony,
ARs switching is not against the laws and at the elite level in England have seen it done quite often. The MYTH that somehow it is unfair is the perception of the ability of those two are somehow different. At the elite stage they better not be! While the sun idea might be a reason more likely the referee feels the AR have a good handle on the tactical readings of the two teams so why force them to relearn with a new attacker. I still maintain a right or a left diagonal just not 2 ARs on the same side of the field! I haveswitched my Ars for tactical purposes as well as a stronger figure in dealing with abuse along a touchline.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I think it best to keep on the same half you were on just for perceivable fairness reasons. Not that the AR's would be unfair but one side might feel they were getting a bad go of it.

In any case, there is no such requirement and the AR's and Referee may decided to position themselves on the field in whatever way they see fit to best referee a match. But usually using the standard mechanics and positioning is what is expected and should be adhered to.

Use alterations as a rare exception and not the rule.