Need thoughts on moving from HR to AR

[intechpc]

Hello everyone. I'm fairly new to refereeing, been doing exclusively U12 and U14 games so far. The league I ref for is a rec league and uses a two referee diagonal system for the U10-U14 level games. What I've found in the limited time that I've been doing this is that I really enjoy being a referee. I like being on the field with the kids and having the opportunity to help them learn the game (as well as getting to see some pretty good matches).

However, here's my dilema. The club that I referee for (the league is made up of a group of clubs each supplying their own league certified refs for home games) is considering leaving the league and moving to a sactioned one. If they do make the switch, obviously I have to get recertified by the Wisconsin Program for Referee Development. That's no problem. However, all sactioned leagues use the more common 3 man crew (CR and 2 AR's). My assumption is that once I'm certified, I'll be spending a lot of time as an AR. I'm really not sure I'll enjoy being an AR nearly as much as I'm enjoying the on-field experience. I'm worried that I won't be able to stick it out long enough to move up to a CR if I'm not enjoying being an AR.

So I'd like to hear others thoughts on this. How involved do you typically get as an AR? If you've done both, have you noticed any difference in your enjoyment of the "job"? I'm open to any thoughts you have on this so please fire away. Thanks.

[Statesman]

If you already have on-field experience refereeing a game then you'll probably be asked to CR for the rec games when you start anyway. Officiating in USSF you get a mixture of both positions. Just tell the assignor of your background, ask if he'd be interested in running a line for you or watching a game, and take it from there. If you show you can run the middle, you'll be assigned to doing so.

[PirateJohn]

I used to enjoy AR every bit as much as CR, but maybe that's just me. Making the offside calls is pretty challenging sometimes, especially when you get a team that knows how to time runs well.

I think some of my best stories from refereeing come from being an AR.

[ManiacalClown]

I *love* taking on the AR role. So you never know, you might enjoy it more than being in the middle. :)

[DerbyRam54]

AR has its own set of challenges and can be every bit as absorbing and exciting as being CR. Granted, games where the play is all at one end can lag a little, though you should still be observing the play as you have a different vantage point from the other two officials. But trying to determine offside in a fast-paced game with a lot of relative movement between attackers and defenders is as challenging a task as any.
And you'll undoubtedly hear some interesting interpretations of the LOTG from the spectators....

[njref]

"The club that I referee for (the league is made up of a group of clubs each supplying their own league certified refs for home games) is considering leaving the league and moving to a sactioned one. If they do make the switch, obviously I have to get recertified by the Wisconsin Program for Referee Development."

I don't really understand your different certifications. Are you USSF certified? That is the only "Real" referee certification. If your league does its own certification separate from USSF, then some other leagues may not give you a lot of credit for your previous experience. In their eyes you may be a brand new referee. If you are USSF certified, then this "recertification" should not be a big deal.

[billf]

You're going to need to be able to handle both roles if you want to develop and, if you really enjoy it, advance to more challenging games. I can't say with confidence that the higher you go, the more involved you'll get as an AR. In many respects, running the line is much tougher as well. Its just a different challenge and one that you need to learn and take seriously if you want to move up. You'll likely see a mix of assignements in both roles. You're not less of a referee, per se, just because you're on the line.

[refmike]

Intechpc, There is no decision here. Even if you start out in the center, you should expect 2/3 of all your games to be spent on the side. This is where you learn how the top refs do things and where you see how some refs can make mistakes. It is a perfect place to learn from.

From the tone of your question, I assume you will want to move up the referee ranks and I encourage you to do so. This process requires you to pass assessments, both as CR and AR. The only ref I ever met who ran centers only was Brian Hall (our top FIFA ref in the US) who told me that once at FIFA level, he is prohibited from running AR for a non-FIFA ref.

[NJ Ref]

I originally came from the Milwaukee area and you have a great area administrator out there by the name of Jonathan Meersman. His office is at the Uihlein soccer complex (Milwaukee Kickers) on Good Hope Road in, I think Brown Deer. He would be more than happy to explain what you would be doing and when. I would think you would get centers of younger teams early, having the experience. But he’s the one who could help you….and get you properly certified. Good luck!

[vabeacher]

I've found the AR position is a lot more challenging, especially at the older age groups. I think it is not until U16 and above when players truly understand the offside rule and how to work offside traps, as a team. The toughest games I have ever worked were as AR in amateur adult leagues and Over-30 leagues. Every offside call or non-call is close, and is contested by one of the teams. And in many games, you'll wind up sprinting more than the CR, especially with a defense that's pushed way up and opponents who play lots of long balls over the top. I've done lots of 40 yard sprints only to look back and see the CR still comfortably jogging in the center circle.

Working as a AR with experienced CRs is also a great learning experience. You can really pay attention to their positioning, especially on set plays. You can also watch the opposite AR for correct flag postions and what hand to hold your flag in as you're following paly up the side, etc. You'll also be able to quickly spot poor officiating, the first game you work and you pop your flag a few times and the CR is not even looking at you.

[macheath]

Well, if the new league has enough refs to provide a three-ref team for U-10 to U-14 games, they've got a luxury. Where I ref, very hard to find three-ref teams for any level for recreational, and even for some travel matches. If you were here in DC, you'd get a lot of opportunity to run a game all by yourself, with no ARs. Makes offside and a few other things quite challenging.

But, to echo what others have said, running an AR position is a great chance to learn, and also to contribute. Concentrate on the offside "line" fully--don't let your gaze drift away to where the ball is being played at the expense of keeping an eye on offside. Hopefully, you'll have centers who use their team members fully--assisting with PKs and direct kicks (policing the ten yards if directed by the center), etc. Be sure and ask questions in the pre-game about how the center wants different situations handled.

[IASocFan]

AR on an upper level game is a lot more challenging than CR on a lower level game. I suggest you plan and try to do both. At my advanced age, I usually ask for consecutive games - one as AR and one as CR (when both are available), and then I take the rest of the day off. Sometimes I end up mentoring newer refs on easier games; sometimes I get a highspeed BU19 and work with more experienced refs. Both are fun and you also have to be ready for the unexpected.

[intechpc]

Wow, what a great set of responses, I really appreciate it. Let me just make a few responses. First of all, I don't mean to belittle the AR position at all. I'm very happy to hear that it is as enjoyable as some of you have found it. Hopefully I'll find it to be just as enjoyable as well. The only thing I was concerned about with that regard is that part of what I'm really enjoying with my present work is the interaction with the kids. What are your feelings on that, is there still as much interaction as an AR?

As far as being USSF certified, no I am not. Our league does its own certifications since they are not sanctioned. The one thing I do have going for me though is that they follow the NFHS rule book with only very slight exceptions in some interpretations. If we move to a sanctioned league, at that point I would then have to achieve either a Level 9 or Level 8 certification through the Wisconsin Program.

Finally, with regard to moving up through the ranks, I've not totally decided yet how far I want to go with this. I've not been doing it long enough to really say for sure. However, assuming I continue to enjoy it as much as I do right now, I could easily see myself wanting to move up to the High School levels at least.

NJ Ref, thanks for the info. As things get closer to a decision, I may have to check in with him. Their website is OK but not great so having a live body to talk things over with might be helpful.

[pasoccerdave]

Where I am, we are able to pick our games and spots (web sites can be wonderful things). So I am able to manage my own assignments, based upon my own schedule and game availability. No, being an AR is not as "involved" with the players as being a CR. If you're going to be hit by the ball as an AR, it's on its way out, and you're far less likely to cut off a player making a run from behind you. But, the interactions are still there. You have a lot of sideline jostling for the ball, quick deflection decisions, and plenty of coach / spectator interaction.