Question Number: 22249

Law 5 - The Referee 10/14/2009

RE: Select, class 3 Under 16

Doug Crawford of Oakland, CA Alameda asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22213

Concerning the Dual Ref System (I hate it). Say that if my league (a Cal North YSA league, part of USSF) assigns me to a game, and 2 referees show up. Are you saying that if I use a dual ref system, that I am not insured?
Thanks for your answer. /Doug

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I am saying it could void your insurance coverage to use a specifically non-approved USSF method of referee configuration on games. Whether it does or not ultimately must be ruled on by the legal forces with USSF, but it is a real danger.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In Cal South , the referee who runs a dual would forfeit the game fee, would be the subject to disciplinary hearing, and would not be remembered kindly by the teams who get to replay the match. I suspect that Cal North would have similar views. (I don't know the answer on insurance coverage.)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I have posed this to USSF. SImply put, you couldn't pay me enough to do a USSF game with the dual system. Why take the chance? I'm sorry we didn't get back to you sooner but wanted an official word from USSF. I know a sometime, someone told me you would forfeit insurance but could have been told incorrectly.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I've never done a dual system, but have worked plenty of games where only one AR shows up and the center's mechanics are close to a dual. I keep having to compromise on being in position for play vs being in position for offside. A dual doesn't give the players quality reffing, and it makes me feel like I've not done a good job. OK, it probably works reasonably well at U12 and maybe U14 recreational games. But beyond that, including HS, please give me DSC.

We, along with you, await a response from USSF on insurance coverage.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hi Doug ,
we reviewed your question, sent out the appropriate feelers to clarify, however, no final say has been released by those that make that decision.

We can speculate that a referee and AR with a club linesman versus the AR assuming a 2nd referee role on the field is likely preferable. This is likely lawyers arguing over semantics!
The two teams who want to play might accept the ad hoc 2 referee arrangement as opposed to no match at all but whether the result would count or consequences to your career are at stake we can not say with certainty.


We decided to post this to you to give you a heads up as we generally post responses in 2 to 4 days. When we wrestle with a definitive answer it sometimes takes longer. The consequences of our recommendations or opinions maybe cloudy here! We certainly can not tell you to go ahead or not go ahead, that is your choice. We will repost when we have additional information that is correct!

From our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fair play