Question Number: 25980

Law 5 - The Referee 2/18/2012

RE: rec Other

john of Chicago, il usa asks...

When officiating on a dual referee system, should the ref in whose side the action is taking place be the lead ref and the other guy is the assistant ref. Then when the action reaches the other end, the guy who was assistant becomes the lead ref. And if so, should the assistant or trail ref be allowed to use his whistle to call something in the other ref's turf? or he would simply gesture to the lead ref.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When the referee is following play behind the ball, the referee should think like a center. The priority is to call fouls. The referee closer to the goal line towards which play is advancing, should think like an assistant referee. The priority is offside.

The problem, of course, is transition. In an instant, one team gains possession and starts a counter attack. The referees' roles reverse and getting in position to call the foul will require a sprint. The dual works best, IMO, when the referees see each other as equal partners with overlapping and shifting primary and secondary responsibilities. There is no 'my half' or 'your half.'

My high school pregame always includes a discussion when my partner should call a foul even if it happens in front of me. I want help that is: (a) late; (b) correct; and (c) necessary for the game.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I'm hoping this is high school or middle school ball, because USSF does not allow duals in any of it's games, at any level.

Either referee may use the whistle if they see something that needs whistling regardless of whether trail or lead. However, to avoid constant whistling and to promote consistency between the officials, a good pregame is necessary to figure out how to handle the teams, fouls, etc. As Ref Wickham says, the lead ref is in the best position to judge offside and to see challenges with the keeper. The trail ref will be able to get an angle on the play and call anything (should it need calling) that occurs on the way down to the goal. In the midfield, stay wide and near the offside line, and make frequent eye contact with your partner.

I personally don't recommend doing a dual with anyone you haven't worked with before, especially not on a competitive game. That consistency in calls I mentioned only comes from knowing someone and the way they referee, so you can both be on the same wavelength.