Question Number: 23569

Mechanics 6/27/2010

RE: Level 7 College & Adult Other

Brian of Wauwatosa, WI USA asks...

Follow up to #23504. Thanks for the prompt response. I quess I was looking more for insight on positioning, etc. Anyway, after watching GER v ENG and ARG v MEX, is the prattle I heard on ESPN and ABC the death rattle for the diagonal system of control as we know it? If those two games are evidence of how the best level 1 ARs perform, I am afraid that there is no hope.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I could see them altering the system for the very top level matches...but I believe this would come slowly. I cannot see anything changing too much.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
It has been shown that there can be a number of blind spots for referee crews in using the diagonal system. A perfect example was the position that Thierry Henry was in when France scored v Ireland. The referee could not see clearly nor indeed the AR looking across the field of play. Also on hairline goals the only proper place to judge is close to the goal line.
UEFA in its Europa Cup is experimenting with two additional assistants positioned on the goal line on the side away from the assistant referee. In the those games the referee runs a different pattern and positions differently for set pieces. The jury is still out on it and problems have been encountered.
I believe that the diagonal system will be with us for many years yet and it is the best system available. What I believe happened in both games was not due to the system. In play referees get drawn into certain positions and in both cases the referees were very central which perhaps limits their view in certain circumstances. Had Mr Larrionda been wider and deeper on the diagonal he would have had a better view of the shot. In the case of Mr Rosetti like most referees he leaves offside calls to his assistants who were well placed to make the calls.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Given the fitness required of referees for this level, the diagonal system gives them a great deal of latitude on where to be in order to see what needs seeing. Unfortunately, there has been a trend of late which tends to restrict the positions the powers that be wish the referee to use. Wide and deep isn't as popular as it once was, and you are noting some of the results. In order to be a part of such a competition, the referees have to use the current 'best practices' even when it doesn't always serve the game correctly.

Many of the referees in this WC seem to be caught in the way of play a great deal, which points up, at least to me, the error of forcing any one positioning system on a referee, and the insistence of proximity over angle of view. Each game and teams are different, and the referee needs to be able to adjust accordingly.