The Single Referee System South Central Minnesota Soccer Officials Association
Introduction This presentation examines the basic elements of the single referee system. Shortages of certified officials result in widespread use of this system. Soccer has a long tradition of referees working alone to manage lower level games. The South Central Minnesota Soccer Officials Association(SCMSOA) uses the single referee system for subvarsity matches.
Priorities A single referee can t do everything that a two or three person crew can do. When you work alone, you must concentrate your efforts on the most important tasks. Player safety is the highest priority. You must focus on staying close enough to the play to recognize and deal with potentially dangerous fouls. Fair play and enjoyment of the game are also important and you should do your best to give correct decisions regarding ball in and out of play, restarts, and offside. However, you may have to sacrifice some accuracy in these areas to ensure player safety.
Ball In and Out of Play You can t be near every boundary line at the same time. You may want to ask players to assist you in determining whether the ball completely crosses the touch line or goal line. You can follow their lead if they agree on which team should restart play. You may want to ask coaches to raise their arms when the ball completely crosses the touch line on the team side of the field. If you do this, make it clear to them that you will determine the restart.
Offside You can t be in line with the second-to-last defender of each team at the same time. Indeed, there will be times when you cannot be in line with the second-to-last defender of either team. Before the match, explain to coaches and captains that you will do your best to monitor obvious offside infractions, but that you will stop play only when you are certain that a violation occurs. Expect some low-level grumbling about offside during the game, but do not allow players or coaches to engage in excessive or prolonged dissent.
Club Lines You may want to ask for a pair of volunteers to assist you. When volunteers are affiliated with the teams, they are known as club lines. Make it clear to them before the start of the game that your decisions are final and must not be questioned or opposed. Let the club lines use your AR flags. Explain that their only role is to hold the flag straight up when the ball passes completely over a boundary line. They do not signal for restarts, offside, or fouls. Station club lines at diagonally opposite corners of the field where each of them can watch one goal line and one touch line and where you can find them easily when you look for them.
Before the Game Emphasize safety and fair play when you meet with coaches and captains before the start of the game. Explain your limitations and priorities. Don t make threats. It s enough to point out that you are one person trying to do the work of two or three. They may not like the situation, but at least they ll understand it and your conscience will be clear if you later have to issue cautions for dissent.
Basics of Positioning The best position is one that allows you to make the correct decision. Your responsibility is to maintain a good view of whichever area of the field is the most critical at any given moment during the match. Read the game constantly and anticipate play. Get to positions that allow you to make as many correct decisions as possible. Approach the challenge of positioning with an open mind. Do not limit your options to the accepted mechanics for the dual and diagonal systems.
Single Referee Positioning When you work alone, you are responsible for fouls, offside, and all four boundary lines. Depending on the needs of the moment, you may have to run a standard diagonal, a reverse diagonal, straight up and down the field, or other patterns. The key is to stay close enough to the play to see violations while avoiding spaces that the players want or need to use. Anticipate play so you can stay out of the way and avoid collisions. Be ready to hustle back if play reverses direction.
Pattern of Movement You may find it helpful to imagine three corridors running the length of the field. The middle corridor includes the two penalty areas and the center circle. Avoid this high traffic space when possible. The two outer corridors are bounded by the touch lines, the goal lines, and the sides of the penalty areas. These spaces are less congested most of the time. Trailing the play from the outer corridor closest to the ball may provide a good vantage point for observing fouls and ball out of play while avoiding spaces that the players need.
Coverage Adjust your position as needed to keep the area of play in view. Penetrate downfield as needed to observe fouls and balls out of bounds. When play changes direction, hustle back to monitor potential offside violations in the other end of the field.
Physical Requirements Expect to run as much as you do in the diagonal and dual systems, sometimes more. You may need to back-pedal and sidestep more than you do in other systems.
Observation skills Use your entire field of view during both dynamic play and dead ball situations. Concentrate primarily on the area near the ball but remain alert for off-theball violations, as well. Players are especially vulnerable when they are off balance just after passing or shooting the ball. Let your gaze linger on them briefly to catch late fouls. Maintain your focus while the ball is in play. Wait for pauses to check the time, look for subs, etc.
Signals Make decisions promptly and communicate them with crisp, clear whistle and hand signals. The confidence and decisiveness that you display with your posture, body language, and signals will go a long way toward determining the level of respect that you receive from players, coaches, and spectators. It often helps to reinforce hand signals with your voice. For example, you can say White throw-in as you signal the direction of the restart.
Communication If you have the assistance of club lines, make eye contact with them during stoppages and as often as possible during play.
Positioning for Restarts Prior to each restart, anticipate where the ball is likely to go and where fouls and other violations are likely to occur. Move to a position that allows you to observe the restart and the action that follows. Vary your restart positions during the game to discourage players from trying to exploit predictable blind spots. Be ready to move quickly if the play changes direction.
Substitutions Whenever a legal substitution opportunity occurs, check for substitutes waiting at the halfway line. When you allow a substitution, use whistle and hand signals to delay the restart. Carefully count the players who leave the field and the substitutes who enter. Once the substitution is complete, use your whistle to indicate that the restart may proceed.
Match control Set the tone early. Players will adjust to the first few fouls and offside violations that you whistle. Keep things moving. Players will be more likely to focus on the game and less likely to obsess about your decisions if the ball remains in play. Remember that you don t have partners watching for fouls and misconduct behind your back. Keep as many players in front of you as possible.
Conclusion Stay positive, professional, and respectful. Communicate effectively with players and coaches. Keep moving! Players will appreciate your efforts. Encourage the players to have fun. Enjoy the game yourself.