A&H

My first line and my first taste of OA football.

After being over ruled by a ref on a foul (don't ask!!!) earlier this week I had "be more assertive lino". Yeh I'll just stand here waving my flag til he stops the game even though he has clearly turned me down... lol

Exactly James, obviously the coaches etc don't really think through the consequences of what they are saying.
 
The Referee Store
After being over ruled by a ref on a foul (don't ask!!!) earlier this week I had "be more assertive lino". Yeh I'll just stand here waving my flag til he stops the game even though he has clearly turned me down... lol
One of my favourite quotes from my tutors was 'assistants are there to assist not insist'
 
I would imagine you have to bite your lip a lot more on the line, being in the middle you tend to only hear a few bits and pieces you will everything someone wants you to hear.

It must be difficult not to get involved in the exchanges.
 
On the ”bubble”...
Obviously your ref’s instructions come first.

We had a great AR classroom session looking at when you should flag. Far less often than I thought the simple answer.

If the ref is active one way or another, there’s no need to flag. Exceptions are if football expects and you flag the blatant breakaway, or insane foul right in front of you.

But there are lots of reasons not to flag fouls that are right in front of you... could the ref want to wait for advantage, and the other thing is better not to flag than foul after the whistle.

As an AR I have learnt, with good refs, there are lots of times when you don’t flag fouls close by. Maybe it’s close to the ref’s tolerance, maybe advantage, maybe not 100% sure.

But it feels awkward. A stare from a player, words from punters. I hate the feeling but I think we have to deal with it. I mitigate the reactions by quickly affirming the ref’s decision with a nod, or a ”good John” as I would on comms, and especially - to the player coming at me about to shout at me for not flagging - a nod, smile and ”clear foul, direct, come on...”

All that said: if you see a foul and the ref has not and there is no clear advantage on, wave that flag.

All the best refs I work with also say it’s fine to flag a pen - if they haven’t seen it - and you are 150% sure ;)
 
On the ”bubble”...
Obviously your ref’s instructions come first.

We had a great AR classroom session looking at when you should flag. Far less often than I thought the simple answer.

If the ref is active one way or another, there’s no need to flag. Exceptions are if football expects and you flag the blatant breakaway, or insane foul right in front of you.

But there are lots of reasons not to flag fouls that are right in front of you... could the ref want to wait for advantage, and the other thing is better not to flag than foul after the whistle.

As an AR I have learnt, with good refs, there are lots of times when you don’t flag fouls close by. Maybe it’s close to the ref’s tolerance, maybe advantage, maybe not 100% sure.

But it feels awkward. A stare from a player, words from punters. I hate the feeling but I think we have to deal with it. I mitigate the reactions by quickly affirming the ref’s decision with a nod, or a ”good John” as I would on comms, and especially - to the player coming at me about to shout at me for not flagging - a nod, smile and ”clear foul, direct, come on...”

All that said: if you see a foul and the ref has not and there is no clear advantage on, wave that flag.

All the best refs I work with also say it’s fine to flag a pen - if they haven’t seen it - and you are 150% sure ;)

All depends on the referee really. Personally I don't want to be giving free kicks in the AR's credible zone as that can undermine him, so I will try and allow him to come in first and only get involved if he missed it or it was on his blind side. That's why pre-match instructions are key so that the assistants know what is expected of them.
 
All depends on the referee really. Personally I don't want to be giving free kicks in the AR's credible zone as that can undermine him, so I will try and allow him to come in first and only get involved if he missed it or it was on his blind side. That's why pre-match instructions are key so that the assistants know what is expected of them.

It’s interesting. I guess we are taught ref first.

Cultural thing perhaps. Some refs put ”make sure to let me whistle the first foul” wherever it is on the field.

TBH I think it would be quite tough for me to adapt now e.g. If a ref asked ”flag everything within 10”... I am so used to only flag when necessary.
 
Just back from the game.

1) I felt like a right ploncker as the other 2 were wearing suits and there is me with tracksuit bottoms over my shorts and my Ref top on didn't realise I had to wear a suit.

2) Maybe just my age (17) but in the changing room I was talking to the ref and other lino and the next minute they are both naked in front of me putting on what I assume was sports boxers underpants or whatever you call them slightly freaked out by it a little.

3) It was a REALLY good game all though it was a heated game and the ref had me doing offside only as it was my first lino duty he asked me to not do throws or fouls just offside only.

4) I will DEFINETLY be asking to do it again but this time I know what to wear and do etc.
 
Just back from the game.

1) I felt like a right ploncker as the other 2 were wearing suits and there is me with tracksuit bottoms over my shorts and my Ref top on didn't realise I had to wear a suit.

2) Maybe just my age (17) but in the changing room I was talking to the ref and other lino and the next minute they are both naked in front of me putting on what I assume was sports boxers underpants or whatever you call them slightly freaked out by it a little.

3) It was a REALLY good game all though it was a heated game and the ref had me doing offside only as it was my first lino duty he asked me to not do throws or fouls just offside only.

4) I will DEFINETLY be asking to do it again but this time I know what to wear and do etc.
Few pointers here from your comments
  1. Ask the referee about dress code every time when s/he makes pre-match contact
  2. Make sure the referee knows about your age (until you're 18) for safeguarding purposes
  3. Good of the referee to reduce the impact and responsibility on you
  4. Glad to hear you'll give it another go - they are great ways to learn
 
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1. You don't know what you don't know. If you don't know there is a dress code for some leagues then you can't think of asking (whomever appointed you should have told you). Now you know so as BH pointed out, any new league you are appointed to, ask for the dress code. Smart attire is pretty much standard above grassroots in pretty much most developed countries.
2. Again good advice from BH. I guess the other two just went about their normal routine.
3. This I am confused about. Was the referee trying to minimise impact on you or trying to protect himself? One would think in/out would be much easier decisions than offside. Especially if they are right in front of you. I would have done this differently.
4. It will get more enjoyable
 
Glad you enjoyed your first "line". It's great going out as a team of 3.

I disagree on point 3 though. The referee should have allowed you to give throw ins. That's basic stuff that we all allow CARs to give.

Hope you get another line soon.
 
Glad you enjoyed your first "line". It's great going out as a team of 3.

I disagree on point 3 though. The referee should have allowed you to give throw ins. That's basic stuff that we all allow CARs to give.

Hope you get another line soon.
Me too. Throw ins are a team work exercise anyway. Not solely the ref. Not solely the AR. How was he to see in or out ? Thats why he needs you...

Point 2 is not something I had considered before. What do others do in this scenario? Change separately?
 
Just a note on changing room etiket. There are safeguard rules put in place (must be followed) and there is etiket (unwritten rules).

One of the more important ones, when there is only one open change room and two different genders, is the etiket of allowing each to change comfortably by leaving the room for a while. Some change rooms have an enclosed toilet that helps.

We have a frequently used ground with multiple fields and only one change room for referees and a cubicle toilet inside. Its open on top and bottom. Visually you are covered but sound and smell wise, i'll leave it to your imagination. Its an awkward situation for female referees who need to go but the male referees don't get the subtle hints.

EDIT: agisn you posted just before me @JamesL . Yes take turns to use the room when changing.
 
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A ref who does not want throws from a qualified ref in an environment where the culture is to take throws from CARs!

The PRIMARY duty of an AR is ball in and out of play

You've sadly been used like a special sock.
 
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