Question Number: 21392

Mechanics 5/21/2009

RE: Other

amidsst of liverpool, ny usa asks...

what are the rules regarding where the assistant officials / linesmen stand - are they in zones divided by the center line for their respective sides and responsible for half the field or do they run up and down the length of the field?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

These are the ARs' duties under the Laws:

Duties
Two assistant referees may be appointed whose duties, subject to the
decision of the referee, are to indicate:
? when the whole of the ball leaves the fi eld of play
? which team is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in
? when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position
? when a substitution is requested
? when misconduct or any other incident occurs out of the view of
the referee
? when offences have been committed whenever the assistant
referees have a better view than the referee (this includes, in
certain circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area)
? whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper moves off the goal line
before the ball is kicked and if the ball crosses the line

The AR is responsible for the touchline on his side of the field, where he patrols from the goal line to the halfway line. His primary duty is to judge offside, and then to assist as needed on balls out of play, fouls, misconduct, etc. Generally, if you draw a line from where the halfway line meets the touchline to the near post of the goal, that triangle represents the area where the AR is responsible for any calls.

Keep in mind referees work as a team, and areas of responsibility overlap. There should always be a minimum of two sets of eyes on any play. While the referee always has the final say on what is or is not called, the assistance of the AR is invaluable and is rarely refused.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

More than any strictly defined area, the assistant referee should be focusing on areas that the referee is not looking at or cannot see. The triangle Ref Maloney mentions is a start.