4 AR's (Alternative to 2 CR's)

[Jeff L]

If we are going to have 4 A/R's then instead of coloured flags on sticks, why not give them yellow dusters to throw onto the field of play, so that ther referee can see where the offside took place. In order to distinguish the referee from the A/R's when they get together to discuss the point, he wears a white baseball cap and the others to wear black ones. Also to ensure that players are 10 yards back from free kicks, we can have two other A/R's (of the 4th official with one of them) come out with two tall sticks with a 10 yard chain between them to ensure that 10 yards is the correct distance.
In order to ensure that the crowd knows what is going on, the referee has a wired up microphone so he can talk to them. Just in case all this officials are still unsure or not correct, have a 5th official watching it all on a T.V. monitor to tell the centre ref what he needs to do.
("Enough said").!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MassachusettsRef]

Jeff,

Just as Greyhnd went overboard in one direction with his last post, you've been equally irrational with your last post.

No one--especially not me--is suggesting an emulation of the American football officiating system, whatsoever. All that's being suggested is two additional ARs, with the same duties as the other ARs sans the ability to call offside. They are still there to assist, not to upstage or confer with the CR. The DSC, of which I am a unwavering proponent, is still preserved, you're simply covering the field better with more people watching. Just because people are advocating more officials does not mean they are trying to "Americanize" the game. Did you say the same thing when fourth officials were empowered to bring misconduct to the referee's attention?

Adding two ARs is like adding two mobile reserve officials to the touch line. It takes the onus off the fourth official (now sixth) to catch all misconduct behind the play, and it puts two people at the touch lines deep in the referees diagonal for fouls and out of bounds plays. I suspect, if such a situation were ever employed, off-the-ball violence would be caught more, as would tactical handling and holding that skilled players typically shield from referees deep in their diagonals.

[Jeff L]

"MASS REF". That was meant very much "Tongue in cheek", if you are familiar with that expression. Basically it means, it was meant as a bit of fun!!!
"Our" rules are simple, and we don't need a ton of officials.
I am happy for people to think about new ideas for the improvement of the game, and if you care passionately about anything then you express yourself about the topic as many people do here. That is good.
However, I don't imagine FIFA sanctioning this idea.
Not so much for "the big game" invironment", but at grass roots level. It's difficult enough trying to get games covered with 3 officials, never mind 5.
Personally I don't see it ever coming about. Also if the ref and 2 AR's are good enough then they should see most things anyway. If you analyse any game, how much is really ever wrong? Very little I would suggest.
We all accept that even one thing wrong is one too many. but thtaq's not to say that that will not happen with 5. If things do wrong then. What next? 7, 9 11. One for each player per team? Things are pretty good with 3. Have you ever done games when no Ar's are available? It's pretty regular over here at "park" level.
Then you are doing the work of 3. That sharpens the skills!! Let's all keep talking about the game, and try for improvement, but remember, just like my original post; it's supposed to be fun too!!!!!! JEFF.

[Greyhnd00]

Originally posted by Jeff Lancaster
"MASS REF". That was meant very much "Tongue in cheek", if you are familiar with that expression. Basically it means, it was meant as a bit of fun!!!
"Our" rules are simple, and we don't need a ton of officials.
I am happy for people to think about new ideas for the improvement of the game, and if you care passionately about anything then you express yourself about the topic as many people do here. That is good.
However, I don't imagine FIFA sanctioning this idea.
Not so much for "the big game" invironment", but at grass roots level. It's difficult enough trying to get games covered with 3 officials, never mind 5.
Personally I don't see it ever coming about. Also if the ref and 2 AR's are good enough then they should see most things anyway. If you analyse any game, how much is really ever wrong? Very little I would suggest.
We all accept that even one thing wrong is one too many. but thtaq's not to say that that will not happen with 5. If things do wrong then. What next? 7, 9 11. One for each player per team? Things are pretty good with 3. Have you ever done games when no Ar's are available? It's pretty regular over here at "park" level.
Then you are doing the work of 3. That sharpens the skills!! Let's all keep talking about the game, and try for improvement, but remember, just like my original post; it's supposed to be fun too!!!!!! JEFF.
I agree that it is supposed to be fun, but I also take this game and my role in it VERY seriously. Refereeing soccer is probably one of the top three things I like to do(you figure it out! :) )
As I have said before I dont comment much on youth topics as it is not my primary focus. I do think that many observers both outside and inside of the organization recognize that three officials is just not enough to cover a 110 yard field with all of the other duties that we are supposed to cover. Just this weekend I was an AR in a U19B final with the ball right in front of me and 3 yards to my left I was watching the 2nd to last defender as the acordian effect was going back and forth and the call was going to be close. Unexpectantly the ball went out of play to my left........No more then 10 feet from me...I wasnt watching the ball or the play as I was watching for offside..CR didnt see who it went off of so he looked at me..I made a guess. Sure it was just a throw in but when it happens right in front of you the players are understandbly frustrated.

[MassachusettsRef]

Originally posted by Jeff Lancaster
"MASS REF". That was meant very much "Tongue in cheek", if you are familiar with that expression. Basically it means, it was meant as a bit of fun!!!Jeff, I realize what you were trying to do with your post, but just because you are having a little fun doesn't mean you can't be responded to.

However, I don't imagine FIFA sanctioning this idea. Not so much for "the big game" invironment", but at grass roots level. It's difficult enough trying to get games covered with 3 officials, never mind 5. Personally I don't see it ever coming about. Also if the ref and 2 AR's are good enough then they should see most things anyway. If you analyse any game, how much is really ever wrong? Very little I would suggest.If you've read my posts, you would see I agree with you on most of these points. I don't think it will ever come about for a few reasons (namely financial concerns and recruitment problems). However, that does not mean that a viable experiment couldn't be sanctioned. The 1 CR/4 AR/1 Reserve system is, in my mind, far more viable than any 2 CR system ever would be, yet FIFA and the IFAB spent a lot of time on an experiment for 2 CRs. I don't see the harm in also attempting an experiment with 4 ARs for a certain period of time. If it was carried out, maybe success would prompt a change at the international and professional division levels around the world--however, I've said consistently that I think it's impossible for any change like this (even 2CRs) to be employed at any lower level. As you've said, enough amateur and youth matches are already operating with 1 official, nevermind 3; 4 is unheard of and 5 or 6 would be impossible.