Question Number: 26592

Pre-Game 8/2/2012

RE: Competitive Adult

Harris of Someplace, Somewhere Canada asks...

What are a good set of pre-game instructions to give to ARs with regards to mass confrontation.

Some referees ask their senior AR to remain at their position to maintain and hold the technical area personnel and substitutes and prevent them from entering the field of play or to watch players who travel very far across the field to enter the fray (i.e. goalkeepers).

Others ask the referees to form a triangle around the group of players and to take mental notes.

Which one do you recommend?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The first key to dealing with confrontations is to contain it. If the nearest AR can stop the third person from joining, it may fizzle rather than escalate. But, when the Referee and AR are near the action, they can't see what else is happening.

IMO, it is possible for the far assistant referee to both control the technical area and observe the players.

There is a triangle, but not one with equal length sides. The far AR is further away.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Like positioning with the referee, the focus is on being able to see what needs seeing and being in a position to do something useful in response to what is happening on the field, when as an AR one is attempting to deal with a mass confrontation situation As Ref Wickham says, the triangle is meant to stretch, contract or adjust to fit the needs of the situation. An important part of the pre-game will be to address what the referee expects in the way of help, and especially for ARs to be prepared,with what if questions. The 'right' answer depends on the crew, the teams, and the dynamics of the day.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Harris
The one I recommend is for the nearest AR to enter the FOP to assist with calming players down and maybe preventing an escalation of the situation.
The important part is that the referee see everything that is happening and that the referee crew is safe.