Question Number: 23269

Mechanics 5/6/2010

RE: Select Under 10

Todd Wendorf of Marysville, PA United States asks...

I was the lone referee (with two club linesmen) for a U09 Girls match last night. Per League rules, they play 8v8 and the field size is reduced.

My question is regards to mechanics and how to best handle a situation.

The ball is near midfield but near one of the sidelines. I have positioned myself nearly even with the ball but toward the center of the field to be able to see as much as possible.

The player kicks a long diagonal ball into the penalty area -- resulting in me spinning to follow the ball and moving to a closer position. Another offensive player collects the ball and proceeds to shoot wide. Goal Kick...

Now here's the rub. If I had Assistant Referees, I would most likely have looked to the AR and probably have seen an Offside indication. I know this from the reaction from the bench and the spectators from the defending team. However, when I spun around on the kick, I could not, from my vantage point, make a firm determination that the player receiving was indeed offside when the ball was played. I proceeded with the Goal Kick as called and went on with the match.

My issue -- What can I do in future games to help identify this situation?

On a full size field, this type of situation rarely occurs as there is less likely an opportunity for such a long pass into my 'blind spot'.

Any thoughts on how to reduce that blind spot when the field is smaller.

Thanks!!!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Wendorf
In many underage games that I officaite on I do not have neutral assistants so this is a regular occurence.
The tips that I have developed over the years are
1. Anticipate what is going to happen and before it does happen glance forward to see the position of players.
2. It is very difficult to call offside on your own so there has to be a element of 'guess' in the decision. If it is doubtful and it looks like offside then it gets called. Teams forget a poor offside decision very quickly rather than a goal after a possible offside.
3. Positioning can be improved as well with better 'reading' of the game. Players tend to repeat the same plays and that can be then anticipated with good positioning and the blind side reduced significantly.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is difficult for a solo referee to make good judgments about offside.
Fortunately, the younger players are not making timing runs or trapping. Offside position is usually not a matter of a close call, but simply seeing what happened.

It helps to expand your field of vision away from the ball, whenever possible, and note the location of the one or two forwards and how the defenders are marking them. Understanding what the usual suspects are doing gives valuable clues as to whom, where, and what to watch as passes are made. Practice looking off the ball whenever you have an attacking player who is not immediately being challenged.

When you have an opportunity to make an early offside call = = seize it. The players and coaches will adjust to the referee who appears to be observant.