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Law 5 – The Referee

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Law 5Law 5

Elements of Being a Good Referee

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TopicsTopics

• Duties of the Referee – quickly review • Powers of the Referee – quickly review • When to penalize• Using Advantage• Critical Techniques of good officiating• Fitness, diagonal and positioning of

the Referee• Pregame briefing• Required Equipment of the Referee

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Duties of the RefereeDuties of the Referee

• Enforce the Laws of the Game• Keep a record of the game• Keep the time for the game• Ensure no unauthorized persons enter

the field of play• Restart the match after any stoppage• Decide on the fitness of the ball• Ensure player equipment meets

requirements• Report on the outcome of the match

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Duties of the RefereeDuties of the Referee

• Control the match with the AR’s

• Act on the AR’s advice • Punish the more serious offense

when more than one occurs at the same time

• Ensure any player bleeding leaves the field of play

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Powers of the RefereePowers of the Referee

• Give the advantage if appropriate • Stop, suspend, or terminate the game if

necessary• Discipline players for cautionable or sending

off offences• Stop the game for any infringement• Stop the game for serious injury• Allow play to continue on slight injury• Ensure proper behavior of coaches/officials• Reverse or change an incorrect decision

(must be before play is restarted)

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Decisions of the RefereeDecisions of the Referee

And remember…

1. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

2. The referee may only change a decision upon realizing that it is incorrect, provided that play has not restarted or terminated.

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When to PenalizeWhen to Penalize

One of your duties is to “Enforce” the Laws of the game. Does this mean you call everything???

Advice to Referees (PART C. SERIOUS FOUL PLAY AND VIOLENT CONDUCT and annual FIFA Circulars) state:

The Laws of the Game are intended to ensure games be played with as little interference as possible. Therefore, it is the duty of the referees to penalize only significant breaches of the Law.

Constant whistling for trifling or doubtful breaches produces bad feeling and loss of temper for the players and spoils the pleasure of the game.

Fouls that don’t impact the ability of a player to play the ball should not be called.  

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Critical Techniques of OfficiatingCritical Techniques of Officiating

• Know the Laws• Positioning - Be near the play but

not in the play• Fitness• Body language • Indicate your decision - Do not

explain it• Use common sense

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Referee PositioningReferee Positioning

© 2011 U.S. Soccer 14CONFIDENTIAL– Not to be shared without U.S. Soccer approval

General Positioning

The Referee runs diagonal

Referee area of responsibility Each AR covers ¼ of the field

– sees what’s ahead and behind the Referee

– judge most offside calls

AR 1

AR 2

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Fitness and DiagonalFitness and Diagonal

Standard D

iagonalA referee who is not fit can not properly cover the

field of play.

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Fitness and DiagonalFitness and Diagonal

EXAMPLE - UNFIT / LAZY

• Stayed in center of field• Narrow corridor of patrol

• “Slave” to diagonal?

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Fitness and DiagonalFitness and Diagonal

FIT / EXPERIENCED / ACTIVE

• Close to assistant referee in some cases• Close to play but not interfering

• Anticipates play and action

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• A referee who is not fit cannot properly cover the field of play

• Must get to drop zone -- near center of action

• Must be within 10 - 20 yards of significant challenges

Fitness:

Critical Techniques of OfficiatingCritical Techniques of Officiating

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• Fatigue or Tiredness• Exasperation• Frustration• Fear• Disdain• Arrogance

Body Language

Do not let negative body language show

Critical Techniques of OfficiatingCritical Techniques of Officiating

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• At every stoppage - make eye contact with assistants to ensure that you know if they have information for you.

• After foul - make eye contact with player who fouled as you point direction.

• Eye contact – keep your head up!!!

Critical Techniques of OfficiatingCritical Techniques of Officiating

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• Challenge was very hard/physical• A player remains on the ground• Opponents are not departing the

area• You must move in quickly to control

the situation and prevent/stop/deal with misconduct

Move toward fouls when:

Critical Techniques of OfficiatingCritical Techniques of Officiating

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• Watch play - not the ball• Ball gone - start move to next position,

watch for late contact• Ball coming - move to position, watch

for foul prior to ball arriving• Set plays - vary position, use voice to

manage players, signal when ready• Signal your decision (use standard

signals – later)

Critical Techniques of OfficiatingCritical Techniques of Officiating

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How to Sell your CallsHow to Sell your Calls

• Accurate decisions will sell your calls!• Know the Laws (facts)

Where are free kicks taken Is it Direct or Indirect Is the ball in play or out When are signals required

• Exercise judgment (opinion) Was that a foul? Is that misconduct? Is that player offside?

• Signal your Decision• Indecision can be fatal!

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PregamePregame

• Inspection of field markings, nets, goalposts, safety issues

• Conduct a crew pre-game meeting• Check players’ equipment• Check game balls

The referee and assistants should arrive early (at least 30 minutes) to complete the

following tasks:

You should never be the cause of a delayed start.

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Uniforms and EquipmentUniforms and Equipment

Shirt, Black Shorts, Socks, Shoes

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Required EquipmentRequired Equipment

2 Watches w/alarm Flags, fancy or basic set Referee’s book

Whistles (2 different sounding) Wrist lanyard

Air pump and Gauge

Writing tools

cards

Flipping coins

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Law 18 Extra EquipmentLaw 18 Extra Equipment

Different shoes Shoe care Extra watch

Sun-block and Chapstick

Extra lanyard and whistles

First Aid Kit Waterproof card set

Extra socks or matchrecords

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Review – When may the referee..Review – When may the referee..

• Reverse a decision? • Prior to restart

• Apply “Advantage”?• For a foul or misconduct (Law 12)

• Reverse it, if no advantage occurs?• Within 2-3 seconds

• Stop, suspend or abandon a match?• Outside interference• Weather• Infringements of the Law

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ReviewReview

A referee must:

Use common sense (Law 18)

• Know the Laws of the Game• Be firm (Not overbearing)• Signal calls (Do not explain them)• Be near to play (If nothing else)• If in doubt - don’t interfere