Question Number: 29727

Mechanics 9/21/2015

RE: Club Under 12

Derek of Cary, IL USA asks...

This weekend was the first time I worked with only 1 AR, and it was a new experience for me. There were a few complications with this, as you may know.
I recruited an adult to help as a club linesman for the opposite side. But even with this, I found myself on the club linesman side of the field the majority of the time. Is there a better positioning for this situation?
I can count on my AR to signal offside, but I had to be in a good position for offside on my half, and I know I missed a few possible calls because I was in the center of the field behind play. I prioritized fouls (and positioning) over offside in my half, would this be appropriate?
Thank you for your help.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derek
First off it is never a good idea to have a CAR on one side and a club linesman on the other with differing instructions. I think both should be on the same page with the same instructions.
Now as you had two differing approaches then the best way to deal with offside in the linesman half was to be on the diagonal quicker even if behind play. The diagonal view will give at least a better angle of offside and even if a few are wrong then so be it.
I do lots on games on my own due to the shortage of officials. In those games I just have to delay the offside call by looking across the line and if it looks offside then it is called. Many calls are straightforward yet there are calls that are questionable due to the angle of view and I just make the best call in the circumstances. If the PIOP looks four yard beyond the covering defender and the defenders look like they had a good offside line then it is likely to be offside. In the same scenario if I look across and see a defender 3/4 yards behind his team mates offside line then unlikely to be called offside. As a result when Im watching TV games I can made a good read of offside from the angle provided. Yeah sometimes I get it wrong yet that just has to be accepted as inevitable.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Derek,

Positioning is about weighing up what is happening in a game. Putting yourself into a good position for one type of incident is often putting yourself out of position for another, so it's a numbers game - where do you need to be in order to have the best view of what's more likely to happen and what's more likely to impact upon the game?

If I have one neutral AR, especially if it's one I know I can depend upon particularly with fouls, then I will normally spend more time at the other end of the field to monitor offside, and on the other side to monitor ball in / out. Personally, I think that's good positioning as you're adapting your positioning to suit the match. Just be careful you don't get caught behind play, particularly when the ball is entering the Penalty Area. So if you're a bit further up one end of the field, you may need to be a bit more proactive and run a bit earlier if it looks like play is about to head in the other direction.

If, however, you're missing fouls then that should tell you you're not in the best position overall, so readjust to suit. Maybe you do need to adopt a more 'neutral' position. Or perhaps the idea of being more up one end of the field is fine, but you need to take more of an angle so you remain side-on to play. I'd suggest that was probably the concern - if, as you say, you're central and behind play, then try moving to the side more so you maintain a roughly side-on view of play. The right angle of play is more important than being close.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Derek,
hmm admittedly I rather referee as a single official than with club linesmen or only 1 AR. I too think you need to give the same instructions to both. That said you must always work smart as well as hard to be in good positions. I understand if you have inexperienced help there is a tendency to want to compensate. And depending on the level of play skill and speed occasionally you can wander away from a more traditional style! There are always consequences to being somewhere when something occurs elsewhere so focus on good angles with clean looks and if you favour one end or one side just be aware and try to anticipate play reversing itself so you can catch up and move ahead of the play. Collina was very good at leading the play, something that requires good anticipation and tactical awareness ! Still you will not always be 100% in the groove, just try to be there as often as possible.

Remember to continue running into the mix after you blow a whistle to help sell a call when you think you are a bit far away. Plus run a straight line to get you to a position rather than a long diagonal following play.

As a single official I use the I am fair not perfect and I only call what I know to be true. I allow the players to help with ball in or out BUT they PLAY To the whistle under all circumstances. Remember a good pregame sets the tone for proper communication! I see far too many lackluster efforts. It is a job, be of good attitude and take responsibility for doing it well!

Cheers