Home Laws Advice Fitness SiteMap Links GuestBook Discuss Search corshamref.net   

A guide for Co-operation Between Referees’ & Club Linesmen’

This guide has been complied to foster and maintain good relationships with Club Assistant Referees (known as Club Linesmen), and to standardise the Referee’s pre-match instructions to them.

Introduction:               Go back to the top of this page.

This guide will help all those involved - Referees, Team Officials & Players  -  to know exactly what is expected from Club Assistant Referees each week, with the aim of increasing the enjoyment and sportsmanship of the game for all those involved.

During the more senior games of football, a Referee will have the luxury of two Assistant Referees, who are 'in effect' fully qualified Referees. Nevertheless, the greater majority of football matches are played at what can best be described as 'park' level. A Referee will have to take sole charge of 'park' level games. If he is lucky, he may be offered the assistance of two willing (sometimes not so willing) people to 'run the line'. A Club Assistant Referee (these are commonly known as Club Linesmen) can be any of the following and more:

Substitute: Manager: Trainer: Coach: Spectator: Groundsman: Injured player on crutches (yes, I have had a few of these running? the line !): The Captain's 9 year old son/daughter:  Or it could be the man who just happens to be walking his dog through the park!

Some competition rules state that both teams must supply a Club Assistant Referee -  and Teams are penalised if they do not. As you can see from the above listing, the quality of Club Assistant Referees is varied. In most of the structured lower football leagues, the football teams themselves will provide the Referee with suitable Club Assistant Referees. On the whole, they are generally very good willing people. It's also a great way for them to keep warm on those freezing cold, nippy mornings.......

The Referee must protect his Club Assistant Referees from abusive players and abusive team officials. Make a point of speaking to the captains during the 'tossing of the coin' at the beginning of the match - tell them in no uncertain terms, that you (the Referee) will not tolerate any abuse towards the Club Assistant Referees. Referees should 'clamp down' on any dissent shown early in the game towards his Club Assistant Referees. Prompt action, such as having strong words with the perpetrators can sometimes prevent trouble bubbling up later in the game. It is very important to protect the younger Club Assistant Referees from abuse directed towards them by the players, managers and the crowd. A Referee can consider moving his Club Assistant Referees to a different part of the touchline, or swap them over, if a certain part of the crowd is causing a particular Club Assistant Referee unnecessary problems.

Most 'Park' level Football Leagues rely on the assistance of Club Assistant Referees. They have proved to play a very important part in improving the quality and enjoyment of each game. This is always very much appreciated by each respective Referee.

Where neutral qualified Assistant Referees are not available, the Referee may use Club Assistant Referees. Club Assistant Referees should report to the Referee before the start of the game for pre-match instructions. The Referee should make it very clear that his decision is final and must not be questioned. The relationship of Club Assistant Referees to the Referee must be one of assistance, without undue interference or any opposition.

Teams should be prepared to provide a "Club Assistant Referee " if necessary. Due to the general shortage of Referees, Club Assistant Referees are an essential part of the game. Referees should reserve the right to use Club Assistant Referees of all age groups, but will need to use common sense in doing so. For instance, it would not be prudent for a 12 year old to be a Club Assistant Referee during a senior adult football match.

There will be the odd occasion where one of the qualified Assistant Referees has failed to arrive. In this case, the Referee should either seek two Club Linesmen to officiate. Or maybe, consider having one Assistant Referee and one Club Assistant Referee  !!!!!!. In the last case, it is only fair, that the Club Assistant Referee should receive the same fee as the Assistant Referee.

Should the missing qualified Assistant Referee eventually arrive at the ground, he shall take on his duties at an appropriate break in play, and the Club Assistant Referee will then be relieved of their duties.

Club Assistant Referees assigned to a game should serve for the entire match, but invariably during a game, it is not unusual to have 3 or 4 different Club Assistant Referees. The Referee will need to use his judgement as to whether he wishes to brief at every change of different Club Assistant Referees during a game.

Coaching by Club Assistant Referees (after you have asked them to stop) should not be allowed to continue. But invariably, coaching is very difficult to stop, especially if the Club Assistant Referee is the team's manager (or a substitute) and the only person available to run the line. In this case, the Referee should have a quiet word with the Club Assistant Referee, and ask him to refrain from openly coaching - sometimes it works, sometimes it does not work !!!

Although parents of young players are often pressed into service as regular Club Assistant Referees - if possible, the Referee should try and use someone who is impartial.

As mentioned above, Club Assistant Referees are also known as 'CLUB LINESMAN' and are usually an official, football club member, substitute, or someone who just happens to be walking their dog in the Park, and has been ‘collared’ to run the line. This will be the type of linesmen that newly qualified  Referees’ at 'Local Park' level games will have running the touchlines for them during their early career as a Referee. Club Assistant Referees range from the absolutely useless - to the very good. Some turn out week-in-week-out and do a very good job. Newly qualified Referees will need to learn how to get the best out of their Club Assistant Referees, and still retain total control and respect from them throughout the game. It is essential that the Referee meets the Club Assistant Referees BEFORE the match has started. The Referee's instruction to them must be specific, and they must accept the Referee's authority. The Club Assistant Referees' role is one of 'assistance', and not  one of undue intervention or opposition to the Referee.

Club Assistant Referees can be given the responsibility of indicating when a player is in an ‘off-side’ position, but the Referee is ultimately responsible for deeming whether the player is actually interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or has gained an advantage by being in that position. This is the area where you will get most of your problems whilst Refereeing with Club Assistant Referees. There will be many occasions when you will have to overrule a Club Assistant Referees offside flag. It is therefore very important that you explain to them before the match, that you are ultimately responsible for making all the decisions - they are there to help you. Club Assistant Referees are not there to run the game for you.

Some Club Assistants will prove to be very efficient, whilst others will be the complete opposite. Whatever standards the Club Officials are - the Referee must always make the final decision. Instructions to Club Assistant Referees should be easy for them to understand and simple in content. Once the Referee has given the Club Assistant Referees their instructions, they will want to feel as though they have some responsibility, and this must be conveyed to them by the Referee throughout the game by acknowledging their help with a nod, a thumbs up, a smile or verbal comment. If the Referee constantly overrules the decisions of a Club Assistant, the Assistant will quickly become despondent, and will be no use to the Referee at all - and the Club Assistant's frustration will probably cause the Referee more problems.

Nevertheless - if the Club Assistant Referee proves to be 'completely useless', or is aggravating the players because of his constant bad decisions - the Referee has the power to dispense with his services. Before the Referee takes this action, he is advised to get possession of his (the Referee's) flag. Do this by asking the Club Assistant Referee if you can have a look at the flag. Once you have possession, then you can dispense with his services. This way, your flag cannot used as a weapon against you, and neither can it be thrown violently on the ground as is the wont in such circumstances.

Part 1"WHAT THE LAWS SAY"     not much !!  Go back to the top of this page.

The ‘Memorandum on co-operation between Referees and Assistant Referees’ included within the ‘Laws of Associated Football (L.O.A.F) (last shown in the1998/1999 Laws) stated the following, concerning Club Assistant Referees: (This was the barest minimum responsibility given to Club Assistant Referees).

CLUB LINESMEN DUTIES

• BARE MINIMUM
  "Signal when the ball is wholly out of play. May indicate which team has the throw i.e. which way the throw should be taken."

The minimum responsibility shown above no longer forms part of the newer Law rewrites. And Referees are expected to use their discretion in giving Club Assistant Referees additional responsibility such as shown below.

• Patrol the touch-line indicated by the Referee.
  
• Check ball is in goal area during goal kick. e.g. judge the correct positioning of the ball prior to a goal kick taking place.
  
• Corner/Goal Kicks - judge if ball goes out for a Goal Kick or a Corner Kick. The Referee must be aware of the position of the Club Assistant when decisions are made, and to ensure that the Assistant is in a position to make correct decisions. If he is not - then the Referee will decide Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks. The Club Assistant can be asked to come along the goal line for ten yards (11m) or so, to watch if the ball goes out of play following a corner taken on the far side of the field of play - and to remain behind the corner flag for corner kicks taken on his side of the field of play.
  
• Indicate when a player is in an off-side position - but the Referee will decide if that player has committed an offence or not. (It is important to emphasise here, that in his pre-match briefing, the Referee must ask the Club Assistant Referee to lower his flag immediately, if he receives an outstretched upward arm signal indicating that the Referee has overruled the Assistant's off-side decision.)
  
• Fouls, penalties and misconduct are the prerogative of the referee. Club Assistant Referees should not make any indication whatsoever.
  
• When Club Assistant Referees are used, the Referee will need to take more responsibility for ensuring that a throw-in is taken correctly. The Referee can give his Club Assistant Referees some responsibility for ensuring that the throw-in is taken correctly (some Referees allow their Club Assistant Referees to watch and signal for any 'feet faults' during the throw-in, whilst the Referee watches for hand faults.) If the Referee wishes to take full responsibility for correct throw-ins, he will need to position himself nearer to the touchline, to lessen this viewing angle along the touchline when watching for feet faults.
  
  
  These are sufficient responsibilities for a Club Assistant Referee, and if they are carried out satisfactorily, they will have greatly assisted the Referee in controlling the match.

Part 2 "OFF-SIDE LAW 11"           Go back to the top of this page.

What the Laws of Associated Football, Law 11 says about offside:

Offside Position
It is not an offence in itself to be in an off-side position.

A player is in an offside position if:

he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent
A player is not in an off-side position if:

he is in his own half of the field of play
or

he is level with the second last opponent
or

he is level with the last two opponents

Offence
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

interfering with play
or

interfering with an opponent
or

gaining an advantage by being in that position

No Offence
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:

a goal kick
or

a throw-in
or

a corner kick

Infringements/Sanctions
For any offside, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

Part 3 "REF’S DIAGONAL"      Go back to the top of this page.

Referees must allow sufficient time prior to the start of the game, to get the two Club Assistant Referees together and tell them the best manner in which they can assist the Referee with his/her control of the game. Referees’ are therefore encouraged to arrive at the ground in plenty of time to complete their field of play inspection, and to brief both Club Assistants.

Alongside is an illustration of the Referee’s Diagonal. This is the line he will normally run during a game. The diagonal is usually from bottom right to top left as shown below, but can be from bottom left to top right, depending on the Referee’s decision. The position of Club Assistant Referees (Club Linesman), in relation to the diagonal is also shown. Should the Referee choose to run a bottom left to top right diagonal, then the Club Linesmen will ‘run’ the opposite half of the touch-line to that shown below. Most Referees ask the Club Linesmen to 'take their own defenders' line,  but some ask then to flag their own attackers (i.e. flag offside against the Club Assistant Referee's own attacking players). Each system has its merits, and both are effective - it all comes down to how the individual Referee sees it. A Club Assistant Referee  will only normally make decisions in the quarter nearest to his touch line position.

Running diagonals with Club Assistant Referees is totally different to running diagonals with Assistant Referees. A Referee with Club Assistant Referees will need to judge the capabilities of both his Club Assistant Referees. For example, if one of the Club Assistant Referees is of the breed "Wellington boots, fag in mouth, pace of a snail, has not got a clue about offside etc" and the other Club Assistant Referee  is of the breed "I am a Registered Referee and have been Refereeing 20 years" and he can run and signal better than you can! etc. etc. Then the Referee can adjust his diagonal to apply more emphasis on being nearer the ‘fag in mouth’ half of the field of play. Thus giving more responsibility to the more experienced Club Assistant Referee . This enables the Referee to make most of the ‘fag end’ decisions himself, and quickly correct the wrong decisions of the snail! Every game is different - it is all a case of balancing the amount of usefulness you can get out of each Club Assistant Referee . In general, I find Club Assistant Referees to be excellent – some of then are even better than proper Assistants that I have come across. If this is the case, I always try and persuade them to take up the whistle, and have been successful on many occasions. The strange thing, is that some of them quickly pass you on the promotion ladder and leave you well behind! But good luck to them (webmaster).

See the Positioning page for more detail about Referees' Positioning and his diagonal.

Part 4 "DUTIES"     Go back to the top of this page.

Club Assistant Referee 's Duties:

(a) . During the more senior games of football, a Referee will fully brief his two Assistant Referees on what he expects them to do during the game. (See the Assistant Referee page for the Assistant Referee brief.) It is very advisable, that Referees also brief their Club Linesmen before the game commences. In most situations, the Club Linesmen are only provided or identified to the Referee within minutes of the 'kick-off'. The Referee must aim not to confuse the Club Linesmen with a tirade of instructions. Keep the briefing short, but make sure that the important points are covered. This will leave the Club Linesmen in no doubt as to their responsibilities, and to what the Referee expects of them. This is vitally important, because Club Linesmen (in general) do not like being overruled by the Referee. But the Referee is the sole judge on all the aspects of the game, and must make the correct decisions irrespective of what the Club Assistant Referee  may be thinking or indicating.

Needless to say, the Referee will normally supply the Club Linesmen with the proper flags. Don't forget to retrieve them after the game.

(b) . Indicate when the ball has passed out of the field of play (within the Club Assistant Referee ’s quarter), for a goal kick or a corner and indicate this by holding the flag horizontally straight across the pitch to indicate a goal kick, or by pointing the flag down towards the corner arc to indicate a corner kick.

The Referee will usually indicate goal kicks & corners in the far quarters away from the Club Linesmen.

(c). Indicate when the ball has passed out of the field of play for a throw-in, all along the touch-line, and to indicate which side is entitled to the throw-in within the Club Assistant Referee ’s quarter.

Free Soccer Clip Art

The Referee will indicate throw-in direction along the touch-line half not patrolled by the Club Linesmen.

(d) . All fouls (including penalties) and misconduct are the prerogative of the referee. Club Linesmen must not make any indication whatsoever.

The Referee must actually see any misconduct before he can act on it, but this does not stop the Club Assistant Referee  bringing any serious misconduct to the Referee’s attention. This will enable the Referee to keep a close eye on potential trouble spots. If a Club Assistant Referee  witnesses a sending off offence that has been missed by the Referee, the Club Assistant Referee   will inevitably call the Referee over to explain the incident. A Referee can not send-off a player on the 'say-so' of a Club Assistant Referee . The Referee must actually witness the sending-off incident before he can take action.

Imagine trying to write the disciplinary sending-off report after the game !!!!!

"The player was sent-off because the Club Assistant Referee  told me that this player had thumped an opponent, but I did not witness the incident. The Club Assistant Referee  was the 12 year old son of the player who was thumped." !!!!!!!!!!!

If a Club Assistant Referee  calls you (the Referee) over to discuss an incident, explain to the Club Assistant Referee, that you can not take any sending-off action on his behalf. BUT it is vitally important that you listen to what the Club Assistant Referee has to say. The only action that the Referee can - and should take - is to have a very strong word with the supposed perpetrators of the incident. Call the players involved together, and explain that the Club Assistant Referee has brought the incident to your attention, but because you (the Referee) did not witness the incident you can not take any action. Make it very clear to the players involved, that you will not tolerate any such action, and that you will be keeping a particular 'close eye' on them throughout the rest of the game. It is usually obvious when the Club Assistant Referee  is telling the truth. My advice is to strongly warn the players, and then keep a particular watch over the perpetrators during the remainder of the game.

(e). Patrol the touch-line indicated by the referee.

(f). Corner kicks: Stand behind the kicker on your side of the pitch; come in along goal line if the kick is taken from the opposite corner. Judge if ball goes out for a goal kick. Do not indicate if a goal is scored or not. (The Referee should generally remain near the goal line during corner kicks when Club Linesmen are involved.)

(g). Can indicate that a player has committed an off-side offence, but the referee will decide if a player is interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or has gained an advantage by being in that position. Referee to acknowledge the Club Assistant Referee  - with a raised hand - if he wishes to allow play to continue. On receiving this signal from the Referee, the Club Assistant Referee  must lower his flag immediately.

(h). Assistant Referees can now enter the field of play to usher players back the required 10 yards distance during the taking of free kicks. Club Linesmen should NOT be give this responsibility or option. The Referee should always take charge of free kicks when Club Linesmen are present. The Referee should make this clear when giving the Club Linesmen their briefing instructions before the game starts. If Club Linesmen are allowed to enter the field of play, this could lead to problems. Club Linesmen are mostly linked in some way or another, to one of the teams playing - entering the field of play could entice the opposing team or spectators.

Brief to Club Linesmen:           Go back to the top of this page.

Pre-Match Briefing to Club Assistant Referees.

The Referee should brief his Club Assistant Referees together, before the game starts. The briefing will not be as complex or as long as the briefing given to qualified Assistant Referees, but nevertheless, the Club Assistant Referees briefing must clearly lay down the responsibilities given to them by the Referee.

The Laws once recommended that the barest minimum responsibility allowed for Club Assistant Referees, was to indicate when the ball goes out of play. If you only allow Club Assistants this meagre responsibility, they will soon get fed up and loose concentration. The responsibilities given to Club Assistant Referees will vary between individual Referees.

The Referee will need to take into consideration the age of the Club Assistant, his footwear (it is not very easy to run in Wellington boots)!, whether he is a named substitute, has he done this before, his connection with the teams, his willingness, whether he smokes a cigar whilst running the line, have you had trouble with this Club Assistant in the past?… and many other interesting factors!!!!!!!

To give newly qualified Referees some idea of what type of pre-match brief is required, the following is the Club Assistant Referees briefing I use when officiating in my local Sunday morning Park level Football league. The Referee should call the two Club Linesmen together in good time before the kick-off. I normally make my way to the centre circle and hold my flags aloft – and shout "Linesmen please lads / ladies"  this normally attracts the two ‘volunteers’.  I have given up trying to get the two Club Assistants together in the changing rooms – because invariably they always seem to appear 2 minutes before kick-off).

My sample briefing at Park level games is as follows..............

EXAMPLE REFEREE'S BRIEF TO CLUB LINESMEN.

1. "Good morning, (shake hands) my name is Julian Carosi, thank you very much for running the line for me, it is very much appreciated.  Can I take your names please….......thank you.  (Write the names in your notebook).

2.Can you please take a position alongside the left backs and change over at half time so that you are still adjacent to your team’s left back player (if the Club Linesmen are associated with the teams, I normally position them alongside their own team's left full back player).

3. Let me know when the ball has gone over the touchline for a throw-in.
(The Referee can decide to allow the Club Assistant Referee  to indicate the direction of the throw if the ball leaves play over the quarter of the touchline patrolled by the particular Club Assistant Referee , and I suggest that this responsibility can be given to the Club Linesmen).

For a throw in on your quarter of the touchline, please indicate the direction that the throw should be taken, let me know when the ball has crossed out for a throw-in down the far end of the touchline, but I will be in a better position to decide the direction.
(The Referee will be in a better position on his diagonal, to decide which way a throw should be given at the far side of the touchline to where the Club Assistant Referee is patrolling.)

During throw-ins, put your flag up if the thrower steps over the touchline, I will deal with any hand infringements.

Free Soccer Clip Art

4. In your quarter of the field of play, indicate when the ball has gone out for a corner kick by pointing your flag downwards towards the base of the corner flag like this (demonstrate). Come along the goal line for ten yards (11m) or so, to watch if the ball goes out of play following a corner taken on the far side of the field of play, and stay behind the corner flag if the corner is being taken on your side of the field of play. Can you please also judge the correct positioning of the ball in the corner arc, prior to a corner kick taking place on your side of the field of play.

In your quarter of the field of play, indicate when the ball has gone out for a goal kick by pointing your flag across the field of play like this (demonstrate). Can you please also judge the correct positioning of the ball in the goal area, prior to a goal kick taking place.

I will deal with corners and goal kick decisions in the field quarter furthest from you.

5. Please do not indicate any fouls or penalties. (The Referee should decide when a foul penalty occurs, and not the Club Assistant Referee ). 

6. If you get any abuse from the players, you can have a quiet word with them yourself, but I will not tolerate any open abuse toward you, which I will deal with immediately. I will deal quickly with any serious matters.

7. Off-side, I am responsible for making the off-side decision, but you can indicate to me with a raised flag, when you think a player is in an offside position (the Referee can if he so wishes, remind the Club Assistant Referee   exactly what the offside rule is. I do not usually bother, as this only serves to confuse them.)

This is the most important part of this brief; if you remember anything from this briefing can you please remember this - if I overrule your off-side flag, I will acknowledge you with an outstretched upward arm signal like this (demonstrate the arm signal). As soon as you see this signal. please drop your flag immediately. If I completely miss your off-side flag signal, leave the flag up until it is noticed. If play consequently falls the defenders advantage, drop your flag and allow play to continue on interrupted.

The off-side decision is an area fraught with difficulties. This is area is where the Referee will have most of his problems, and disputes with his Club Assistant Referees.

8. Please do not enter the field of play unless I ask you to do so. I will organise the encroachment distance at free kicks.

9. If we both indicate in opposite directions (for example, you indicate a goal kick, and I indicate a corner, or you indicate a throw to the red team and I indicate it to the blue team, please adjust your signal to correspond to mine, and my decision will stand. I am ultimately responsible for any mistakes we make. If I do this, it is not to say that you have made a wrong decision, or that I have made the right decision, it is done to prevent any confusion, and I am ultimately responsible for making all of the decisions in the game. if I need to talk to you about any confused signals, I will come over and discuss this with you.

10. Thank you both very much for 'running the line' and enjoy the game. Do you have any questions?"

End of Club Assistant Referees Pre-Match Briefing

The more games a Referee officiates in, the easier it is to adjust his brief to the many different standards of Club Assistant Referees (Club Linesmen).

I will finish by saying that Club Assistant Referees are very underrated and under-appreciated. Apart from one or two problems, I have found them to be willing, capable, fair and very responsible.

After all, where would the poor Referee and players be without them ?

Part 5. "SAMPLE OFFSIDES"      Go back to the top of this page.

D = Defending Player: A = Attacking Player

Questions and Answers:                    Go back to the top of this page.

Question 1: One of the Assistant Referees has failed to arrive on time before a match and there are no other qualified Referees available. To enable the game to continue, the Referee tries to recruit a "club" linesman to replace the missing Assistant Referee. Will this have any effect on the refereeing of the match under the Laws, and what is the best way for a Referee to choose a substitute linesman in this situation?

Answer 1: The Referee will have to decide the best course to take. He is fully entitled to use a suitable 'Club Linesman' if one can be found. A Club Linesman is simply any person who is not a qualified Referee but willing to take on the duties of a linesman. Club linesmen are usually recruited shortly before the start of the match, from the more knowledgeable football spectators or team officials. A Club Linesman is limited in his responsibilities to the Referee. The Referee will brief the Club Linesman on what he can, and what he can not do during the game. If one of the linesman for a match is a registered Referee but the other is a Club Linesman, then the Referee will need to adjust his positioning along his diagonal, to allow greater monitoring of the Club Linesman.  The Referee cannot force teams to accept this arrangement if they do not want to - in this case, the game must be abandoned and reported to the authorities. Both teams must agree on such an arrangement, before the game can start.

Such an arrangement will have the Assistant Referee with full duties serving one half of the field and a Club Linesman with limited duties serving the other. The effects of any imbalance will even themselves out during the game because each team will have the official linesman at their respective attacking end for one half of the game and the Club Linesman for the other half. The Club Linesman has the same protection given to him, as the Assistant Referee. The Referee should protect the Club Linesman from abuse, and act quickly should problems develop.

Question 2: Why is it that club linesmen never seem to indicate fouls or penalties, and when they do, the Referee always seems to overrule them?

Answer 2: Club Linesmen should not indicate fouls or penalties. This stipulation must be given to the two Club Linesmen during the Referee's brief to them before the start of play. In cases where the Referee only has Club Linesmen to help him, the Referee must take full responsibility for fouls and penalties, and not allow the Club Linesmen to influence his decisions. A Referee who allows Club Linesmen to make important decisions such as fouls, will quickly lose credibility and control of the game.

Question 3. A Club Assistant calls you (the Referee) over and says that a certain player has been abusive towards him. What can the Referee do?

Answer 3: 

(a). Listen to the comments from your Club Assistant, but do it away from other players and the managers etc.

Go back to the top of this page.

This is the end of the 'Club Linesman' page