Keys to Success for an Assistant Referee

1. Keys to Success for an Assistant Referee

2. What We’ll Cover • The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed Just Like a Center Referee • Countdown to Kickoff – Assist Your Center • Your #1 Job – Player Safety • Starting the Match • The Top AR Complaints From Coaches • After the Final Whistle

3. The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed – You May Have to Be the Center • Lay Out Your Uniform & Equipment • Jersey, Shorts, Socks, Shoes, Watch, Badge, Whistle, 2 Pens, 2 Coins, Game Wallet with Filled Out Game Sheet, Pre-Game Timing Cheat Sheet! • Review • Law Book and Modifications for Your Game, Length of Each Half, Number of Players, Ball Size, Field Location and Time of Game

4. Countdown to Kickoff – Assist the Center Referee • 30 min – arrive at field, stow bag behind a goal, inspect field especially goal anchors, check goal wheels to make sure the front wheels are pushed back, check corner flags • 20 min – greet coaches, get game card from home coach and have visiting coach enter their roster and sign, start player inspections when all of 1 team is present; for U9-12 house matches, meet with field marshal and have field marshal sign game card • 5 min – coin toss & get 3 game balls from home coach • 1 min – whistle out teams, count players (8 for U9-10, 11 for all else) • 0 min – start watch, check that watch is actually started, point direction and blow whistle (hard)

5. Your #1 Job – Player Safety • Before the Match Ensure Goals Are Anchored • Check Before Every Match, Not Just the 1st One • Ask coaches to fix any dangerous situations before the Match • Ask Parents and Coaches to Move at Least 2 Yards from the Touch Line • Remind Coaches to Stay in the Technical Area • Raise Your Flag if a Player is Injured • If the Injury is Minor Remind the Coach to not Enter the Field Until Invited by the Referee

6. Starting the Match • Count the Players on Your Half • Keepers in Position • Unfurl Your Flag When In Position & Ready • Start Your Watch at the Whistle • Look to Make Sure It’s Running • Hold you Flag at Your Side in Your Hand Closest to the Center Circle • Backup the Center on Time, Score and Cards • Special Note: The Keeper is Included in Determining Who the 2nd to Last Defender Is.

7. The Top AR Complaints From Coaches • Not Calling Fouls – Raise Flag, Make Eye Contact with Referee, Wiggle Flag, Point Direction • Not Calling Offside – Once an Offside Player Participates, Raise Flag, Hold Position, After Whistle Point Near, Far or Middle • On Throw-ins – Both Point in the Same Direction: Lead in Your Quadrant, Follow in Centers Quadrant

8. After the Final Whistle • Wait to Shake Hands with the Players & Coaches • Agree on Scoring with Center Referee Before Game Card is Filled Out • If Your Mentor or Another Senior Referee Was Watching Your Match Get Their Feedback • Think of 2 Things You Want to Do Better Next Time • At Home, Save Your Game Sheet in Case the Coaches Disagree on the Final Score

9. What We Covered – Any Questions? • The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed • Countdown to Kickoff – Timing is Everything • Your #1 Job – Player Safety • Starting the Match • The Top AR Complaints From Coaches • After the Final Whistle • Questions?