Question Number: 24759

Law 5 - The Referee 4/3/2011

RE: Rec & Select Under 16

Parent of Middle, TN US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24748

This isn't a follow up to the main question, but to Ref Maloney concerning the dual. While I can certainly understand the confusion and inconsistency a dual causes, is the USSFs position limited to higher level games? My daughter is in her 2nd season reffing and while the local assignor tries to get three for U12 and up, U10 are duals and often even the U12 and up only have enough refs for duals (in fact her first game as a ref turned into a single when the other ref was tied up on another game). He's kind of stuck with more games than refs. Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The diagonal system of control - referee and two assistant referees - is the only system recognized by USSF. If there are only 2 referees available, one will be an assistant and the other line will be manned by a club line, someone supplied by one of the teams. This club line is only allowed to call ball out of play.

Local leagues often make unauthorized changes to the Laws and systems of play.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

USSF has been very clear. Duals are not permitted at any level in USSF games. Assignors who use them are subject to sanction as are the referees who accept such assignments.

The lack of referees is a very common and lamentable problem. Fully half of our newly minted referees don't come back for a second year. The reasons are many - some people just don't like it, some aren't suited for it, but too many quit because of the abuse from fans and coaches. Even referees have to learn the game, just like the players. But assignors should not be using two referees on a single game unless one is the referee and the other is an assistant referee.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Dual referees are not allowed on ANY USSF sanctioned match. Period. If only 2 referees show up, one will be the center referee and the other an assistant referee. The center may request a club linesman to assist her if she wishes.

I cannot tell you how many U10 and U12 games I have refereed with 1 or no assistant referees. It's something we live with.

But if the local assignor is making all U10 games duals, he is doing your club and the young referees working these games a huge disservice. It's at U10 and U12 we train and give experience to our young referees. If your daughter is working duals, she's not gaining experience in the correct method of refereeing. She also may not be covered by USSF insurance should something happen.Far better for work as a lone AR or a center with 1 AR.

I can't imagine a worse situation then 2 young referees, each with a whistle working a U10 game

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The dual is used in many high school and recreational leagues, usually to save money.
These matches are not affiliated with US Soccer and the USSF badge is not worn when officiating them. A referee may accept assignments in unaffiliated leagues and follow their procedures. But, as Ref Contarino notes, unaffiliated leagues may not carry liability insurance for the referees. The referees may need to purchase their own.

In many parts of the world, youth matches are done with a single trained referee. The speed and style of players in U10 matches usually do not present issues for a solo referee. Unfortunately, the issues almost always come from parents and spectators. With newer referees, the only value of a dual may be the presence of an additional person to deal with them.