Question Number: 29304

Mechanics 4/12/2015

RE: Competitive Under 13

Alex of Los angeles, California USA asks...

Hi all,
I've been chewed out for standing on the left and right side as an AR. When you walk into the field and anytime together. can anyone clarify this for me? I thought AR1 stands on the right , AR 2 stands on the left of the referee. Please help?

Another question I have is more of one dealing with offside. If the goalkeeper passes the 2nd to last defender for whatever reason does that 2nd to last defender still hold the offside line? Sorry ,if I am unclear

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
However is chewing out about AR walk on positions has little to be doing. Anyway for what it is worth the positions walking out will depend on the technical area side and if the ARs are running left or right backs. AR1 will be on the technical area side and he will be patrolling that side of the field of play.
At centre circle the ARs will be on the side that they will patrol and check the nets before kick off. If running traditional left backs as the referee crew walk out with the technical area behind them AR1 will be on the right side of the referee. Once the ref crew wheels around to face the technical area at centre circle AR1 will now be on the left of the referee without the need to change sides. If the referee crew walk on facing the technical area AR1 will be on the left and stay on the left.
From those positions ARs run to do a final net check and then take up position opposite left backs.
On your offside question the answer is No and the way to look at this is that the goalkeeper is just a player from an offside perspective. He is normally the last opponent close to the goal line so the AR looks for the 2nd last opponent in front of him. Once the GK moves out away from the goal line so that defending team mate/s are behind him the AR now has to judge who is now the 2nd last opponent. The offside line would be the GK if he has one team mate behind him.
He will not be factored in at all if say there are two or more team mates behind him in which case the 2nd last of the opponents becomes the offside line.
Have a look at this video. It explains it nicely
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iND8HoYDL-I&t=9m43s

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The term 'defender' can be confusing in this context. The assistant referee's position should be even with whomever is the second player closest to the goal line (or the ball, if it is closer to the goal line). That means the goal keeper (a forward or midfielder) can be the 'second last defender' depending upon how the players line up.