Procedures for Referees, Linesmen and Fourth Officials

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION

Alan Rothenberg
President, USSF

Hank Steinbrecher
Executive Director/Secretary General, USSF

Robert Wertz, Jr.
Chairman, National Referee Committee, USSF

1994

FORWARD

The procedures outlined in this pamphlet are adopted by the United States Soccer Federation in an attempt to standardize officiating techniques and mechanics at all levels of play. They have been recommended by a panel of senior refereess and instructors and have been thoroughly tested at international, professional, amateur and youth levels of competition. In addition they do not intrude upon the game.

No other signals or systems of communication between referees, linesmen and fourth officials are authorized for games under the jurisdiction of the United States Soccer Federation using the diagonal system of control.

Alfred Kleinaitis
National Director of Instruction, USSF

NOTE: All references made to "referee", "linesmen" and "fourth official" refer to both males and females, even though the masculine gender is used.

GAME MECHANICS

PRIOR TO THE GAME
A. ARRIVAL AT THE FIELD
- At the prescribed time according to the rules of competition, but at least 30 minutes prior to the kick-off.
- Obtain and inspect game balls.
B. INSPECTION OF THE FIELD
- Upon arrival at the field.
C. PRE-GAME INSTRUCTIONS
- Important to establish teamwork and communication among the team of officials.
D. FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE KICK-OFF
- Inspect players' equipment.
E. PRIOR TO KICK-OFF
- Enter the field as a team. Move smartly to the center spot.
- Goes directly to his midfield position between the team benches and begins his administrative duties.
- Carries out the match ball.
- Introduces the officiating team to the captains.
- Conducts the coin toss.
- Have their flags unfurled.
- Record the coin toss.
- Break smartly to check the nets.
- Move to the touch-line and assume the off-side position.
F. ONE MINUTE BEFORE KICK-OFF
- Supervise the bench area (Fourth Official, when appointed, will perform this duty).
- Unfurl their flags and hold them straight down, in the hands closest to the referee, to signal that the linesmen are ready to start.
G. THIRTY SECONDS BEFORE KICK-OFF
- Supervises the clearing of the field.
- Visually checks with each of the linesmen to ensure his readiness.
KICK-OFF
- Position variable.
- Reads the players positioning to determine exactly where to stand.
- Signals the kick-off with a whistle.
- In line with the second to last defender.
- At midfield, positioned between the team benches.
DURING PLAY
A. GENERAL POSITIONING
- Flexible, using the diagonal system of control. Choice of diagonal and degree of flexibility up to the referee's discretion.
- In line with the second to last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal-line.
- Flag is kept straight down and always on the side most easily seen by the referee.
- Stop and face the field of play when signaling.
B. GOALKEEPER POSSESSION/PUNT
- Covers the off-side until the linesman recovers position.
- Stays even with the ball should it be closer to the goal-line than the second to last defender.
- Follows the ball up field to cover off-side. He may leave early if it is obvious that the goal-keeper is not in a position to handle the ball.
C. THROW-IN - REFEREE'S SIDE OF FIELD
- Whistles to stop the game, if necessary.
- Points in the direction of the throw, if necessary; arm and fingers should be totally extended.
- Be prepared to indicate correct position to the player who will take the throw-in.
- Position variable, including ahead of the throw-in and off the field (over the touch-line or the goal-line) if the throw-in is deep or a long throw is expected.
- Signals with a vertical flag in the appropriate hand, if necessary; that is, if the referee cannot determine whether or not the ball has passed out of play and looks for help.
D. THROW-IN - LINESMAN'S SIDE OF FIELD
- Signals with the flag at 45 degrees above horizontal in the direction of the throw-in.
- Maintains the off-side position, unless in the way of the thrower; if so moves slightly toward the goal, out of the way, but on the touch-line.
- Supervises the portion of the throw-in per pre-game instructions.
- If the ball passes out of play and then immediately returns to the field, raises the flag vertically to recieve referee's attention, then points to 45 degrees above horizontal in the direction of the throw-in.
E. GOAL-KICK
- Stops the game by blowing the whistle, if necessary.
- Points to the goal-area.
- Supervises the side line of the goal-area and the penalty-area on his side.
- Takes a position down field near where the ball will descend.
- May need to help the linesman with a quick off-side violation if the linesman is slow to recover his position following the kick.
- Raises the flag vertically, if necessary.
- Raises or drops the flag to a horizontal position pointing at the goal-area.
- Moves quickly to a position even with the goal-area to verify that the ball is properly placed in the goal-area.
- Moves quickly to a position in line with the penalty-area if necessary, to verify that the ball exits the penalty area.
- If the keeper is taking the goal-kick moves to a position to judge off-side.
F. CORNER-KICK - REFEREE'S SIDE OF FIELD
- Whistles to stop the game, if necessary.
- Points to the appropriate corner, arm and fingers fully extended at 45 degrees above the horizontal.
- Ensures that the ball is properly placed within the corner quadrant.
- Deals with any encroachment.
- Signals for the kick to be taken.
- Raises the flag vertically, if necessary.
- If the corner-kick decision is clear, makes eye contact with the referee, then points the flag at the near corner.
- If the corner-kick decision is not clear, signals by moving to the cornerflag, makes eye contact with the referee, mirrors the referee's decision.
- If the ball crosses the goal-line and immediately returns to the field, raises the flag vertically to stop the game. When recognized, signals for the corner kick.
G. CORNER-KICK - LINESMAN'S SIDE OF FIELD
- Whistles to stop the game, if necessary.
- Points to the corner, arm and fingers fully extended at 45 degrees above the horizontal.
- Raises the flag to get the referee's attention, if necessary.
- Points to the near corner flag.
- May need to step up to the touch-line to give an unambiguous signal.
- Ensures that the ball is properly placed within the corner quadrant.
- Takes a position even with the goal-line behind the corner flag or down the goal-line to deal with encroachment as required.
- Following the kick, recovers the off-side position as quickly as possible.
H. GOAL
- Checks visually with the linesman.
- Points (arm and fingers fully extended) up field to the center circle.
- Back pedals toward center circle keeping players under observation.
- Prevents unnecessary celebration.
- Intervenes in situations in which players or bench personnel confront linesmen.
- Makes eye contact with both linesmen before signaling for the place-kick to be taken.
- Records goal when in position for kick-off.
- Checks visually with the referee.
- Runs a short distance up the touch-line toward the half-way line to affirm to the referee that a goal has been scored. The flag should be carried straight down and on the field side.
- Keep moving to aviod confrontation if approched.
- Stops to observe the resulting player behavior and the actions in and around the penalty-area.
- Takes up the off-side position.
- Keeps players under observation at all times.
- Records the goal after the trailing linesman has recorded it.
- Records the goal while the referee and other linesman are returning to their positions for the restart.
- Observes players while the referee and other linesman make notes.
- Controls the bench area and records goal.
I. Goal - BALL COMES BACK INTO FIELD OF PLAY
- Raises the flag vertically to get the referee's attention.
- When the referee stops play, puts flag straight down, runsa short distance up the touch-line towards the half-way line.
- Follows the mechanics for a goal.
J. GOAL DISALLOWED
- Stops the game, if necessary.
- Decides on action after considering information from the linesman.
- Signals the appropriate restart.
- Goes to the appropriate position.
- Signals the referee with the appropriate signal.
- If the player scoring the goal committed a foul or was off-side, indicates with the appropriate signal.
- If the referee has stopped the game, stands in place.
- Indicates the appropriate restart.
  -If the scorer was off-side at the moment the ball was passed to him, signals off-side.
  -If there was a foul by an attacker, stands at attention with no flag signal.
  -If a player other than the scorer was in an off-side position and, in the opinion of the linesman, was interfering with play, stands at attention with no flag signal.
- Assumes the proper position for the restart.
K. OFF-SIDE
- Acknowledges the linesman's signal by blowing the whistle or indicates that play should continue with a pre-arranged signal.
- If off-side is called, gives an indirect free-kick signal, arm and fingers fully extended straight up, and signals for the restart.
- Raises the flag fertically.
- If the referee misses the flag, stays at attention with the flag raised until the defense gets clear possesion, goal-kick, throw-in or counter attack.
- Indicates the location of the offense by dropping the flagto a point in the field at the appropriate angle.
L. FOULS - BY THE REFEREE
- Stops the game with a whistle.
- Runs to the spot of the foul to prevent possible retaliation or misconduct, if nacessary.
- Indicates the direction of the free-kick.
- Ensures that the ball is properly placed.
- Either allows a quick free-kick or ensures that all defenders are at least 10 yards from the ball.
- If the kick is indirect, gives the appropriate hand signal for the restart, holds the hand signal until the ball has been touched or played by another player or goes out of play.
- Signals for the restart.
M. FOULS - INDICATED BY THE LINESMAN
- Acknowledges the linesman's signal by either blowing the whistle or by indicating that play should continue, using a pre-arranged signal.
- If the foulis called, indicates the direction of the free-kick and ensures that the free-kick is taken properly.
- Signals to the referee with the flag raised vertically with a slight wave.
- If the referee does not see the trailing linesman's signal, the lead linesman replicates the flag signal and informs the referee of the other linesman's signal.
O. LINESMAN - INDICATES LOCATIONOF FOUL FOR REFEREE
- If the foul occured outside the penalty-area, moves quickly in line with the location of the foul and makes eye contact with the referee.
- If the foul occured inside the penalty-area, linesman facing the field moves the flag from a position alongside the leg to a position in front of the body, centered and downward toward the ground, then moves smartly to the corner flag.
P. ADVANTAGE
- Referee shouts "play on" and moves both hands forward in a sweeping motion.
Q. PENALTY-KICK
- Whistles to stop the game.
- Points clearly to the penalty mark and moves smartly to the edge of the penalty-area near the goal-line.
- Deals with players who have come to him to protest.
- Supervises the placement of the ball.
- Identifies the kicker.
- Moves to a position in line with the goal-area to supervise the penalty-kick, far enough from the penalty mark to see all the players.
- When the ball and all the players are properly positioned, signals for the kick to be taken.
- If a goal is scored, backpedals quickly up field keeping all the players under surveillance.
- Moves quickly to the intersection of the goal-line and the penalty-area to assume the duties assigned by the referee prior to to the game.
- If a goal is scored, resumes the off-side position, keeps players under surveillance, and follows the normal goal procedure.
- If play continues, quickly resumes the off-side position (running across the field if necessary), keeping play in view.
R. PENALTY-KICK INDICATED BY THE LINESMAN
- Stops the game.
- Points clearly to the penalty mark.
- Follows the normal procedures for a penalty-kick.
- Indicates to the referee with a flag straight up with a slight wave.
- When referee stops game, linesman walks smartly to the corner flag and stands in front of the flag.
SUBSTITUTIONS
- Indicates that the restart will be delayed for the substitution.
- When the player has left the field, beckons on the substitute.
- Adds time as appropriate for the situation.
- Gives the substitution signal when the referee looks.
- When recognized by the referee, lowers the flag.
- When no Fourth Official is present, the linesman must come to the half-way line to supervise.
- Ensures that the substitute does not enter the field until the player he is replacing has left the field.
- Inspects substitution's equipment.
- Collects substitute's pass and substitution ticket; verifies information.
- Informs near linesman of substitution request.
- Stands behind half-way line flag with substitute until referee signals for substitution.
- Displays numbers of players to be substituted.
- Prevents substitute from entering field until player being substituted has left field.
- Records the elapsed game time that the substitute is complete.
TIMING
- Asks linesmen for indication.
- Last 5 minutes appropriate number of fingers on the shorts pointing down.
- Time expired, closed fingers into a fist on the shorts.
- If the referee has difficulty seeing this signal moves the fist to the chest (arm across the chest).
END OF THE GAME
- Signals with the whistle.
- Points (arm and fingers fully extended) up field to the center circle.
- Secures the game ball.
- Supervises the departure of the teams from the field.
- May secure the game ball.
- Joins the referee on the field.
- Flag is furled.
- Keep players and team officials under surveillance at all times.
- Leave the field as a team after the teams have departed.
- Collects all his equipment and proceeds to the locker room or joins the referee and linesmen off the field.
1. He may be appointed unde the rules of a competition and shall officiate in the event of any of the three officials being unable to continue.
2. The organizer, prior to the start of the competition, shall state clearly whether, in the event of any referee being unable to continue, the fourth official would take over as the match referee or whether the senior linesman would take over as referee with the fourth official becoming the linesman.
3. The fourth official shall assist with any administrative duties before, during and after the match as required by the referee.
4. He shall be responsible for assisting with substitution procedures during the match.
5. He shall control the replacement footballs where required. If during a match the match ball has to be replaced he shall, on the instructions of the referee, provide another ball thus keeping the time delay to a minimum.
6. He shall have the authority to check the equipment of substitutes prior to their entering the field of play. In the event of their equipment not being within the Laws of the Game he shall inform the linesman who shall then inform the referee.
1. Decide at which end the kicks will be taken. This can be an important cecision if the supporters of one team are behind one goal and those of the other team are at the opposite goal.
2. The team which wins the toss must take the first kick.
3. Before the kicks begin, ensure that all team officials, etc., have left the field and that only the players are left.
4. Make sure all players, apart from the kicker and the two goalkeepers, are inside the center circle.
5. Make sure the goalkeeper of the kicker's team stands outside the penalty area, in the position shown in the diagram.
6. The Laws of the Game, particularly Law XIV "The Penalty Kick", apply except where modified by the instruction for the taking of kicks from the penalty mark. Be particularly vigilant therefore for instances of gamesmanship or for infringements by the goalkeeper, e.g. moving before the ball is kicked.
7. Keep a careful record of the kicks taken.
8. Where you have the assistance of neutral linesmen some of those duties may be taken by them, e.g. a linesman at the center circle would organize players coming to take the kick while the other linesman would assist by indicating whether or not the ball has crossed the goal-line.
9. It is very important that the referee organizes the taking of kicks from the penalty mark correctly. Make sure you fully understand the instructions.
10. The taking of kicks from the penalty mark never forms part of an actual match. It is only a method of deciding a winner.
11. If, at the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, the lights fails badly and the kicks therefore cannot be completed, the result shall be decided by tossing a coin or drawing lots.
12. An injured player may be excused from the taking of kicks from the penalty mark.
13. It is the responsibility of each team to select the players who will take the kicks from the penalty mark. The referee's only duty is to ensure that they are taken correctly.
14. When all the players in a team have taken a kick from the penalty mark, it is not necessary that they follow the same order in taking their second kick as they had for the first series of kicks.
15. If a player who has already been cautioned commits a second cautionable offense at the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, he shall be sent off.
16. When the lights fail at a stadium after extra time but before the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, if they cannot be repaired in a reasonable time, the referee shall decide the match by tossing a coin or drawing lots.
17. A substitute who has not taken part in the match, inckuding extra time where it is played, may not take part in kicks from the penalty mark, except to replace an injured goalkeeper.
18. After each team has taken 10 kicks from the penalty mark, a team which has had a player sent off may use a player who has already taken a kick for the 11th kick.
19. If, at the end of the match some playersleave the field of play and fail to return for the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, and are not injured, the referee shall not allow the kicks to be taken and shall report the matter to the responsible authorities.
20. If, at the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, or when extended time is being allowed for a penalty-kick to be taken in normal playing time, the ball strikes the goalpost or crossbar, strikes the goalkeeper and enters the goal, a goal shall be awarded.
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