Question Number: 23636

Mechanics 7/7/2010

G of Windsor, Canada asks...

I would just like to know if there is a special 'system' that a ref should use for placement while reffing a game in corresponding to where the play is.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi G
The fundamentals of good positioning is that the referee is well placed to view what is happening, is not in the way of players or the ball and he/she is well positioned to move quickly to the next phase of play.
Now the answer to your question depends on whether the referee is on his/her own with club linesmen or he/she has assistant referees with him/her.
Let's deal with the latter first. Generally the referee should have the play positioned between him and the lead assistant referee at all times. The best way to deal with that is to follow a diagonal patrol path which goes from corner flag to the opposite one. So as play gets deeper into the half the referee will be moving away from the lead assistant keeping him in view at all times. It is then important that the assistant makes calls that are in his 'area' which is agreed in the pre match discussion. The other positioning requirement is to ensure a good angle of view. That is best achieved side on to any challenge. So on a kick out it is best to be close to the area the ball will land, not in the way of players and able to view aerial challenges from the side. Same will apply to throw ins. So the referee will adjust his positioning as the game develops as he gets to know where the ball is likely to land and where it will be challenged for. In the Laws of the Game booklet FIFA recommend positioning for set plays. That is good advice.
Now for me it changes slightly when I am on my own. First off the diagonal is not so important and there will be more times that the referee will come off the diagonal to view situations that perhaps the assistant would view better. That IMO only comes from experience and understanding the game, what is likely to happen and good anticipation. The test of that is missing an important call and that should straight away suggest to the referee that his positioning was wrong and then think about how best not to allow it to happen again. Also it can be better to view an incident from say 25 yards with the right viewing angle rather than 10 or less from the wrong angle. So following the ball on an attack is not a good idea but rather creating an angle of view by moving away from the play.
Fitness is a key element in all this and referees should train to referee not referee to get fit. I recall at the end of last season I was doing an evening game and I had a particularly busy day at work plus I had driven quite a distance all day. Near the end of the second half I was feeling tired and the game was effectively over. On a penalty call I had allowed myself to stay central rather than going wide and deep and due to my poor angle of view I did not see the contact on a penalty call so I could not give it. It looked like a penalty but I was not sure due to my poor positioning. If I had assistants with me it probably would have been seen where it happened.
Finally the WC is a great learning tool for viewing referees' positioning. Mr Irmatov is particularly fit and he takes up great positions and I recommend that you watch those games from a positioning perspective.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

G, as a licensed Canadian referee you have received instructions about referee positioning. There is lot to learn on this subject, which is fairly easy to learn but hard to master. I suggest the best way to get good at it is ask an assessor to have a look at your game. He or she will give you some great pointers that should improve your game.
In British Columbia I belong to BC Referees Association and we meet monthly. Over the years I found this to be a great source of support and information. You should contact OSRA; they have a wealth of info on this subject.
I could tell you that with assistant referees (A/Rs) the diagonal system is used and generally following the ball is best. Without A/Rs the diagonal system is obviously out. In set plays like kick-off, PKs, corner kicks etc, there are good positions and bad ones for the ref to take up.
I have to give you a word of warning. It is highly likely that different assessors will give you somewhat varying opinions but generally you want to be near the play but in the way. If you do ask for an assessment, broach this subject BEFORE your game and at least you will have an idea what that assessor's views are.