Soccer coaching laws of the game Law 6 the assistant referees

These soccer coaching tips are designed to help coaches and players understand the laws of the game. This article looks at Law 6, the rules dealing with assistant referees.

In youth soccer, assistant referees are usually a parent from each team to run the line stand by their own left back. They switch sides at half time so they stay with their left back.

Referees will usually tell the assistants exactly what they want signalled – to signal, the assistants raise their flags.

At 7-a-side and mini soccer this will usually be to signal which way the throw-in should go and point out any misconduct the referee does not see. At 11-a-side when offside comes in to play, the assistant referees are more important to the match proceedings.

Two assistant referees may be appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:

• When the whole of the ball leaves the field of play (Law 9).

• Which of the teams playing are entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in.

• When a player should be penalised for being in an offside position (Law 11).

• When a substitution is requested.

• When misconduct or any other incident occurs out of the view of the referee (Law 12).

• When offences have been committed whenever the assistant referees have a better view than the referee (this includes, in certain circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area).

• Whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and if the ball crosses the line (Law 14).

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Click the link to see Law 7 and the rules covering the duration of the game.