Location, Location, Location

To be sure, the future isn't predictable, but on the soccer field, it is the referee's continual job to predict what will happen in the next few seconds. For each prediction, the referee adopts a suitable position to see the action and enforce the Laws. The more accurate the predictions, the easier it is for the referee to be well-positioned to judge the events. Location is everything.

How, then, do we referees become seers? It isn't magic, but it does take study and practice. In AYSO's referee training and assessment programs, mechanics become an increasingly important subject as we move beyond the basics of the diagonal system of control. To become better referees, we all need to work on our mechanics.

A good place to start is with set plays, since we have a little extra time to think about positioning while the ball is out of play. In the Regional Referee Course, we learn the "textbook" way to position ourselves on throw-ins, goal-kicks, and so on. These are general guidelines; we must consider the circumstances of each restart in each game. As the players prepare to take the restart, we should be asking ourselves:

• How have they taken this kind of restart previously?
• Which players are the likely recipients of the ball?
• How will they move after receiving the ball?
• If the opponents intercept, how will I need to reposition myself?

If you aren't accustomed to thinking about these questions, a concrete way to start is with the following fairly common situation. Imagine that you are running a left-wing diagonal. You award a throw-in to the attacking team about 20 yards from their opponent's goal on the side of the field near your diagonal. Visualize an arrangement of players, perhaps based on a recent match you refereed, and ask yourself the above questions. From the answers, where would you choose to position yourself? Now try some other configurations. This should lead you to consider a variety of positions, including: near the diagonal ahead of the thrower, behind the touch-line upfield from the thrower, behind the touch-line downfield from the thrower.

There's no single answer to these questions, and factors like the field conditions and the age of the players may also be relevant. However, if you have difficulty imagining anything but a single position, seek out an experienced referee to help you analyze some situations. Flexible positioning based on "reading the game" is essential to becoming a good referee.

If you find this kind of thinking helpful, you'll want to try it for other restarts. Then you'll be well-prepared to start reading the players' positioning during dynamic play. It's more difficult, but there's nothing quite as satisfying as recognizing what the players are about to do and being the right spot, at the right time, to judge the crucial event. Location is everything.