Question Number: 28857

League Specific 10/16/2014

RE: Junior Soccer Under 16

Graham Byrne of Southport, Merseyside United kingdom asks...

Can you let me know if there are guidelines for referees at junior soccer to appoint linesmen?
I have been coaching for 6 years and always just done throw ins to assist the ref. in out last game the ref asked both managers to also do offsides as well as throw ins. This caused quite a bit of arguing throughout them game ending up with the ref abandoning the game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Graham
In the UK it is not unususl for referees to instruct club linesmen to carry out duties such as offside. Referees should brief the CARs before the game as to what is expected. This varies though from league to league with some only allowing CARs to do throw ins. If the norm in an area is for throw ins only then anything outside of that will cause problems certainly when the CARs are managers. From your experience of 6 years obviously it is not done. Perhaps a new referee coming in from a different area where this is done believed that it was acceptable. I'm sure with an abandonment to deal with much clearer instructions and policy will be set down by the league.
Personally I think players will accept a dubious call from a referee rather than a flag / no flag from someone that they feel is biased such as a manager particularly when it is not the norm.

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Graham,

I can not personally describe the process in England but I can give you the advice/perspective we are given here in the US. In games where a referee is required to use a club linesman, the linesman should be restricted to only calling ball in and out of play. This should be indicated by a flag straight up in the air. The referee should handle all decisions pertaining to direction of the throw (or goal kick vs corner) and offside. This is supposed to be done to remove as much of a conflict of interest as possible.

Personally, I try not to use club linesman if possible and will usually run a game solo before I ask for a linesman. Again though, that is the instruction we are given in the US.