Positioning

[pensmom4]

As a very new ref, I could use some good advice and/or rules of thumb for being in the best position as much as possible during my games.

I've been CR for a handful of rec league, 10-12 y.o. games this fall, and I'm just not feeling comfortable yet, particularly when the ball goes out.

As background, they play 9v9, use the offside rule, and I have two AR's.
Thanks,
Lee

[Ref Flunkie]

As a very new ref, I could use some good advice and/or rules of thumb for being in the best position as much as possible during my games.

I've been CR for a handful of rec league, 10-12 y.o. games this fall, and I'm just not feeling comfortable yet, particularly when the ball goes out.

As background, they play 9v9, use the offside rule, and I have two AR's.
Thanks,
Lee

At that level, I just try not to get in their way, as the field is small and you are big. It is always good to try and read the play, as if you were the player with the ball, and then get out of any area that the ball is likely to be played. Stay behind the play if possible (the ball rarely goes backward quickly at that age). Beyond that, at that age you should be able to see most of the field pretty clearly if you are anywhere within the area of the play, so don't worry about exact positioning too much.

[NHRef]

At that level, I just try not to get in their way, as the field is small and you are big. It is always good to try and read the play, as if you were the player with the ball, and then get out of any area that the ball is likely to be played. Stay behind the play if possible (the ball rarely goes backward quickly at that age). Beyond that, at that age you should be able to see most of the field pretty clearly if you are anywhere within the area of the play, so don't worry about exact positioning too much.

One thing that I need to work on is keeping the play between myself and the AR on that end, especially as it goes down deep, I tend to not get wide enough. Ideally you want to see the active area and the AR, keep this in mind as you position yourself.

I also find I have more trouble staying out of the balls way at the younger levels because they simply do things I don't figure would happen and miss-kicks.

[refmike]

As a new ref, if you don't get hit with the ball at least once, you are not close enough to the play. If you get hit 3 times during the game, you are too close. As skill levels of both you and the players improve you will learn to read the play and stay out of the path of the ball.

The point of the diagional system of control is to keep the bulk of the players between you and the lead AR so you are both watching the play from different angles. As you get better, you can move off the diagional for better coverage but don't push that too quickly.

Remember it is their game. Keep it safe for them but impose yourself as little as you can to do the job.

[njref]

"I'm just not feeling comfortable yet, particularly when the ball goes out. "

When there is a melee by the sideline away from the AR (which happens a lot with u-10 and u-12 rec games) and the players block your view of the ball going out, you are going to miss some calls. There really is no way to be in perfect position to make these calls - are you going to run your line along the sideline? And of course the coaches and spectators may have a perfect view.

If you are lucky your AR can help (even though far away) or the players will "tell" you who gets the throw by taking the ball. Otherwise you give it your best guess. And you will be wrong some of the time. It happens to me enough and probably happens to refs a lot better than me.

[Statesman]

Here is a similar thread with some good information:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123705

[whitehound]

Here is a similar thread with some good information:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123705I wouldnt pay too close attention to the last part of the cited thread.
You should think of your "diagonal" as an "S" instead of a line and stick to the below principles:
1) All of these principles are subordinate to the need to be in the right position to make the call and control the game.
2) stay to the left and slightly behind the ball. Yes I step off of the field often in the games I do. You need to do that to keep the play:
3)frame the play with your AR. this will ensure you have two views of every play AND that you can see what he is trying to tell you.
4) the slower and more intricate the play the closer you need to be.
5) try to never be farther then 15 yards and often less then 10 to active play.
6)think about touching all four corners of the field at some point in the game.
7)dont stand still anytime the ball is in play walk, jog or run all the time.

[Ref Flunkie]

One thing that I need to work on is keeping the play between myself and the AR on that end, especially as it goes down deep, I tend to not get wide enough. Ideally you want to see the active area and the AR, keep this in mind as you position yourself.

I also find I have more trouble staying out of the balls way at the younger levels because they simply do things I don't figure would happen and miss-kicks.


Yes I too have problems keeping the play between me and the AR, but in small sided games, that is nearly impossible in my opinion, as it is more like an indoor game then outdoor with respect to the speed and insanity.

[jacathcart]

One thing that I need to work on is keeping the play between myself and the AR on that end, especially as it goes down deep, I tend to not get wide enough. Ideally you want to see the active area and the AR, keep this in mind as you position yourself.

I also find I have more trouble staying out of the balls way at the younger levels because they simply do things I don't figure would happen and miss-kicks.

I have the same issue - especially as I get deep into the diagonal and the ball is along the touchline. If I am on the field my back is to the AR - in fact, i can't see either AR which doesn't seem good. OTOH if I run off the field to keep the ball between me and the AR I am badly behind the play if there is a quick cross and I don't want to be out of position when the ball is around the goal.

Suggestions?

Jim

[UWHusky]

One thing that I need to work on is keeping the play between myself and the AR on that end, especially as it goes down deep, I tend to not get wide enough. Ideally you want to see the active area and the AR, keep this in mind as you position yourself.

I also find I have more trouble staying out of the balls way at the younger levels because they simply do things I don't figure would happen and miss-kicks.

I hear you about the miss-kicks. More often than being in their way, though, I sometimes find myself completely out of the way and the ball on the far end of the field.

I ref about the same age group...they're mostly 4th-6th graders. The league is through a non-profit organization, so I'm a volunteer. And I have no ARs. (8-v-8, no offside violation.)

With no ARs, some out-of-bounds calls are challenging. Fortunately, while the kids want to win, they have commendable sportsmanship. They know whose throw-in it is, and there has never been a disagreement over it. My biggest problems are getting kids to perform a correct throw-in and getting the ball back after a punt when the keeper was supposed to have a goalkick.

[pensmom4]

Thanks to everybody for the good advice. I've been moved to a couple of 7-9 y.o. games for the upcoming weekend, so I'll be on a smaller field w/fewer players. I'll have a chance to put some of that advice into action.

We're in playoffs Saturday, and finals on Sunday.

Soccer season in PA is too short. Just when I feel like I'm making some progress (for example, identifying areas where I need to improve) and getting confidence as a ref, the season ends!

Lee

[cdin]

I have the same issue - especially as I get deep into the diagonal and the ball is along the touchline. If I am on the field my back is to the AR - in fact, i can't see either AR which doesn't seem good. OTOH if I run off the field to keep the ball between me and the AR I am badly behind the play if there is a quick cross and I don't want to be out of position when the ball is around the goal.

Suggestions?

Jim

I think it is important to remember that the diagonal system is a guideline not a rule.

ARs are primarily responsible for offside, out of bounds, and fouls in their quadrant. While I always try to keep play between the AR and myself this can be difficult, especially at the higher levels. Therefore, you must make sure that you are "checking in" with your AR at appropriate times.

When play is in the AR's quadrant, you should have play between you and the AR at least 90% of the time. However, if play is in the CR's quadrant then they should position themselves in a way that is best for the game. For example, if there is a corner kick or a restart near the touch like on the side of the field opposite to the AR, the CR probably wants to be near the center of the field so that they are near the action.

As other people have said before, if you can anticipate where the play is going, that is where you need to be going. If you position yourself near play and regularly check in with your ARs you will be fine.

[vabeacher]

I know a lot of refs come off the field quite a bit, but I like to stay on the field as much as possible. When play is deep in the attacking end, I like to lag behind the play so that I'm facing the goal, thereby keeping my AR at least in my peripheral vision. Hopefully, if he pops a flag, I should be able to see it. I try to avoid situations whereby I have my back to goal or my AR.

You'll find that if you never leave the center circle, you'll always be able to keep your ARs in view (Just kidding!).

[whitehound]

I have the same issue - especially as I get deep into the diagonal and the ball is along the touchline. If I am on the field my back is to the AR - in fact, i can't see either AR which doesn't seem good. OTOH if I run off the field to keep the ball between me and the AR I am badly behind the play if there is a quick cross and I don't want to be out of position when the ball is around the goal.

Suggestions?

Jim
You are going to have to give up one or the other. If your fitness isnt where it should be then by all means sacrifice the proper positioning so that you dont get caught way behind on a fast break. With a little experience you should be able to read when the ball is about to start up field and with proper fitness and experience the amount of time you are depending on your AR to cover your back should be minimal.

[whitehound]

I think it is important to remember that the diagonal system is a guideline not a rule.

ARs are primarily responsible for offside, out of bounds, and fouls in their quadrant. While I always try to keep play between the AR and myself this can be difficult, especially at the higher levels. Therefore, you must make sure that you are "checking in" with your AR at appropriate times.

When play is in the AR's quadrant, you should have play between you and the AR at least 90% of the time. However, if play is in the CR's quadrant then they should position themselves in a way that is best for the game. For example, if there is a corner kick or a restart near the touch like on the side of the field opposite to the AR, the CR probably wants to be near the center of the field so that they are near the action.

As other people have said before, if you can anticipate where the play is going, that is where you need to be going. If you position yourself near play and regularly check in with your ARs you will be fine.You should avoid standing in the same place everytime on corners or the players will read your positioning and foul accordingly, that being said if you stand on the goalline on near the intersection of the goal area then you can see the play and your AR pretty easily.

[A USSFReferee]

You guys are making me jelous. Our local leauge does not provide AR's instead we have to use "club linesmen" and they are only able to call OB. So I have to watch the whole pitch. Any it is hard to call offsides and fouls when you have to be everywhere at once!