Question Number: 26511

Mechanics 6/28/2012

RE: Rec Under 11

Zack of Toronto, Ontario Canada asks...

I always am forgetting which side is which while im reffing, especially since the boys and girls dont play their positionand just run around all clumped together. Is there any way that you can give me a tip or something that will make knowing which side is which? And I've been assigned an AR game so this could be a problem. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Zack
For me that usually happens due to a lack of concentration at the start of the half. I spend a short few seconds at the start of the halves counting the players, looking at the colours and getting a mental note as to the colour and direction of play.
It does help when the play is clearly in one direction and the referee can signal that direction. So if Green is running towards Blue goal and he is fouled the signal follows the direction of Green play.
As an AR a clear head and concentration is required with a clear focus on the colours. Again better teams will position themselves 'properly' which does help and good defenders try always to get goal side facing out. It also helps to follow the last defender slavishly for a short period even if play is elsewhere. Getting the mental picture of the colour in one's head does help. So then I looking for Green beyond Blue.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As an AR, I've found a handy trick. The team that is attacking the goal at my end is 'my' team. So I know if red is 'my' team, they're going toward 'my' goal.

In the center you can't do that. Sometimes I come up with handy reminders - the white team is going north, toward the snowy north pole.

But it's easy to forget. Often near the start of the first half, I'll just shout out the color of the throw-in until I get my bearings back.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When I was first beginning, I would wear a white wrist band on my the arm which the team in white (or light color) was running and switch wrist bands at the half.
I quickly discovered that it didn't help.

The players will recognize and accept that the referee will make a mistake in pointing direction. But, it is critical to hold up play and force a ceremonial response when you point the wrong way. Let the defense set up and no one will feel that they were harmed by your error.

As an AR, I focus on the numbers of each of the defenders at the start of each half. It helps to remember who is offside and who is a defender. It also really helps when someone wants to know 'who kept them on.'

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Zack,

I feel your pain. This is something that I've gotten wrong at times, and it's caused big problems in some matches.

There are a few tricks I use. Often with the little ones the goalkeeper is wearing the team socks or even team shorts, so if you forget you can quickly look at the keeper - but this isn't always the case.

Perhaps there's different scenery at each end of the field? For isntance, if there's a road at one end, and the clubhouse at the other, then you can keep running through your head 'white attacking road, red attacking clubhouse' or some such.

An AR can use other tricks, such as constantly reminding himself that 'white's attacking, red' defending'. Doesn't work quite so well when you're in the middle and you find yourself facing in every direction. Sometimes on the line I'd even envision a tackle with the ball coming off a white player and signalling with my left arm, and vice versa.

Seriously, a lot of running some clear statements through your head can help.

Now, if you do make a mistake and award a free kick, throw in or something else the wrong way, then don't be afraid to admit your mistake. But if you do this, then hold up the restart for a few moments - it would be unfair for one team to capitalise on the other team being dragged out of position due to your error.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 26534