Assistant Referee ‘Housekeeping’ & Touchline Safety
This YMTC episode examines an incident where an Assistant Referee (AR) was injured after colliding with a parent and child who had wandered too close to the touchline. The situation highlights the importance of maintaining a safe and clear sideline, ensuring referees can perform their duties without interferenceYMTC #9.
Why Is AR Housekeeping Important?
ARs frequently battle for space along the touchline, where coaches, players, and spectators tend to inch closer for a better view. This crowding creates potential hazards, limits the AR’s ability to move freely, and can lead to unnecessary confrontations or distractions.
Good pre-game housekeeping can help prevent these issues before they arise.
Best Practices for Maintaining a Clear Touchline
- Arrive Early & Establish Boundaries
During the pre-game field inspection (30 minutes before kickoff), referees should proactively move early-arriving spectators back as far as possible from the touchline.- Each extra foot of distance reduces crowd intensity, improves visibility, and makes AR movement safer.
- Follow League-Specific Rules on Spectator Placement
- Some leagues require all spectators to be on the side opposite team benches.
- Others require players, coaches, and spectators to be grouped together but separated:
- Spectators on one side of the midline
- Players & coaches on the other side
- A clear substitution technical area
- Mark Technical Areas If They Aren’t Painted
- In USSF matches, the team boxes should be:
- At least 3 yards from the midline
- At least 3 feet back from the touchline
- Extending 10 yards down the pitch
- If the areas are unmarked, use warm-up discs to create clear boundaries.
- In high school and college matches, the team areas are larger:
- 10 yards from the midline
- 10 feet back from the touchline
- In USSF matches, the team boxes should be:
- Remind Coaches That the Technical Area Is Not a Consultation Zone
Coaches sometimes use the substitution technical area as an excuse to talk to players. This can lead to congestion and interference near the AR’s path. Address this in the pre-game meeting to prevent issues later.
Handling Encroachment: What Can ARs & Centers Do?
- Enforce a Strict Path for AR Movement
- If players, substitutes, or spectators obstruct the AR’s movement, the referee has the authority to issue a caution for encroachment.
- Coaches should be reminded that they must stay within their technical area and off the touchline.
- AR2’s Role in Housekeeping
- AR2 often takes on additional duties beyond offside and ball-out calls, including:
- Monitoring spectator behavior & sideline control
- Keeping a running clock
- Tracking foul counts and yellow cards
- Assisting in recording misconduct & incidents
- The center referee should assign clear roles during the pre-game talk so that all officials understand their responsibilities.
- AR2 often takes on additional duties beyond offside and ball-out calls, including:
Final Takeaway
Maintaining touchline safety is a critical part of AR housekeeping. Preventative measures—such as setting up proper spectator areas, enforcing technical zones, and addressing encroachments early—can help avoid dangerous collisions and keep the game running smoothly.
Referees should approach AR housekeeping as an essential pre-game responsibility, ensuring the match environment is both safe and professional.
Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by Frank