Fourth Official: It just looks easy!

Fourth Official: It just looks easy! Agenda: History, Law & Reality walk through Before game day: preparation & coordination Before the game: venue, pre game, team checks, etc During the game: starting the game, subs, technical area, etc After the game: reports History: 1991 Introduced by FIFA as spare official with some admin duties 1995 Recognized as part of crew and some duties specified 1996 Reporting incidents out of view of crew 1999 Direct communication with referee 2000 Misconduct correction mandatory 2001 May approve return to field for blood & equipment 2002+ Duties formalized 2010 Limitations removed: 4 th can assist in any way 1

Law: A fourth official may be appointed under the competition rules and officiates if any of the three match officials is unable to continue, unless a reserve assistant referee is appointed. He assists the referee at all times Prior to the start of the competition, the organizer states clearly whether, if the referee is unable to continue, the fourth official takes over as the referee or whether the senior assistant referee takes over as referee with the fourth official becoming an assistant referee The fourth official assists with any administrative duties before, during and after the match, as required by the referee He is responsible for assisting with substitution procedures during the match He has the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they enter the field of play. If their equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, he informs the referee Law (continued): He supervises the replacement balls, where required. If the match ball has to be replaced during a match, he provides another ball, on the instruction of the referee, thus keeping the delay to a minimum He assists the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game. The referee, however, retains the authority to decide on all points connected with play After the match, the fourth official must submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any misconduct or other incident that occurred out of the view of the referee and the assistant referees. The fourth official must advise the referee and his assistants of any report being made He has the authority to inform the referee of irresponsible behavior by any occupant of the technical area A reserve assistant referee may also be appointed under competition rules. His only duty shall be to replace an assistant referee who is unable to continue or to replace the fourth official, as required Guide to Procedures: Performs any other duties which the referee requests, consistent with and not detracting from the responsibilities outlined in this Guide Is the primary point of contact between the referee team and all persons other than players, substitutes and team officials (e.g., stadium reps, security staff, broadcast managers, ball retrievers, etc.) Resolves directly as many matters as possible and only calls upon the referee for a final resolution of any situation as a last resort Maintains composure and a professional appearance at all times and avoids being drawn into any conversations with anyone which do not relate directly with the responsibilities outlined in this Guide or in the pre game conference Takes less intrusive actions early when a situation may be resolved without deteriorating into greater tension, conflict and confusion Involves the coach and other team officials as much and as early as possible in identifying unacceptable behavior within the technical area and solicits assistance in correcting the situation 2

Reality: it depends on the event At a tournament: day of Preparation: checking the fields, team colors, etc Record keeping Technical area management For a pro game: in advance (all of the above plus ) Coordination with home team contacts & crew Coordination with venue management Forms, sub passes, sub paddles/board Handling your assignment: Read the rules of competition & any other documentation Contact home team liaison and introduce yourself. Ask about: Timetable (usually league specified with local variation) Venue procedures (gate to enter, referee locker room, will call, etc) Equipment & forms: sub paddles/board Any changes from normal procedures? Contact other officials and pass on pertinent information, especially to travelling officials; they may have questions or requests. Agree on where and when to meet; exchange cell phone numbers. Rules of competition: Know them backwards & forwards: things go wrong & they like to screw with each other Substitutions: how many, when, re entry, passes? Tie breakers? Overtime & Kicks from the mark Delays (before or during game); termination/reporting Order of succession: usually specified in rules of competition Amateur games: 4 th > JAR/AR2 > SAR/AR1 > Referee Often involves tournament director Pro games: 4 th often alternate referee at higher levels Reserve officials > AR More discussion if someone s injured, sick, etc. 3

Paperwork: Use your normal game record for standard events I use a container clipboard with a transparency on top with a rubber band (keep the league rules handy!) USSF Fourth Log and possibly Supplemental Reports League specific forms: Timetable Game reports Sub passes Rules of competition! USSF fourth official game log (part 1): MN TwinStars Madison 56ers USSF fourth official game log (part 2): FOURTH OFFICIAL SCORING SUMMARY INJURY REPORT SUBSTITUTIONS Number HOME Number VISITOR IN OUT Time IN OUT Time HALFTIME HOME VISITOR REGULATION END HOME VISITOR Team # Time OVERTIME HOME VISITOR xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx FINAL HOME VISITOR 4

USSF fourth official game log (part 3): MISCONDUCT HOME Number HOME VISITOR Time SCORING C / S.O. # Time Reason C / S.O. # Time Reason VISITOR Number Time NOTES Fourth, thou shalt be First! Arrive extra, extra early (in proper attire) and start taking care of business. Find the home team contact and Get the current timetable (ask if any changes) Get the paperwork (is it all there? Pay vouchers?) Get into the locker room (is there a key?) Get the game balls (if possible) Ball people? How will introductions/walk out be handled? Any timing signals we need from you? (announcers, TV, etc) How can I contact staff during the game? Timer/scorekeeper: how can you correct the time? Security: who will escort send offs from field? Quick field check for any glaring problems (technical areas?) NPSL Referee game day pre game timetable: Time to KO Task Description 2:00 Arrive at field; contact home team referee liaison 1:50 Inspect field, game balls; pre game instructions 1:30 Change into referee gear; fill out forms 1:05 Visitors: get rosters & lineup, check players & gear 0:55 Home: get rosters & lineup, check players & gear 0:45 Warm ups (officials & team) 0:20 Teams exit field; coin toss 0:10 Line up for walkout (officials & starters) 0:07 Introductions; coin toss (if not done earlier) 0:00 Kick off 5

Meet the other officials Be at the meeting point early, especially if travelling officials. Mention known issues (field, timetable, etc) on way to locker room Distribute pay vouchers, will call forms, etc Count and sign* the sub passes Would you like to start your pre game now or check the field first? Attitude of other officials: most of them have been fourths too This is not a joke assignment: you will be assessed too. NPSL Substitution Passes home team should provide but print enough anyway sign correct number; give to coach when you get the roster MN TwinStars adh #1 4/7/12 Pre game instructions Listen attentively and ask questions. Be sure to cover: Substitutions: signals, process Other signals? Direct or through AR1? Should I enter the field for near by incidents? Added time signal? When & how? Fact or feedback? Order of succession restated so everyone knows it. Should I come out to the center circle at the start? Overtime/KFM procedure? Finish any pre game paperwork; check the game balls Warm ups and/or team checks 6

Team checks: usually a specific time that rosters are to be provided This is your first impression with the coach: we re colleagues! (but be aware that some want to tweak you or the other team) Rosters & line ups (ask if any last changes; are numbers correct?) Colors: players & goalkeepers (pinnies for subs?) Equipment: look around Are they wearing removable studs? Ask to see them Jewelry? Ask them to remove it Team Roster: contains the names of players, subs & team officials NPSL Official Game Lineup Sheet: each coach will provide one 7

Just prior to the game Have your standard ref gear (cards, whistle, record, coin, watch) Place other gear at the table including: pump/gauge, sub paddles, clipboard anything for rest of crew? Drinks? Referee carrying game ball, ARs carrying flags Jacket or not? Use common sense Get the teams lined up for intros/walk on Collect starters passes for limited re entry Sometimes coin toss conducted now Showtime! Exit field after intros Have the bench people put extra balls in bags (how many bench people are there now?) ARs ready? TV or radio: Red Hat signal? Start your watch and make sure stadium clock starts Note actual time on 4 th log Substitutions 1. Have sub come to you so you can continue to face the field 2. Check sub pass for completeness: name/number in & out 3. Give pass back to player and look at their equipment (jersey # correct?) 4. Check Lineup sheet for both numbers (not already subbed in/out?) 5. Set sub paddles/board to correct numbers 6. Stand in front of halfway flag to indicate sub ready (or other signal) 7. At stoppage, when ref acknowledges, hold up sub paddles/board 8. When player exits, accept sub pass from sub 9. <repeat for remaining subs> 10. Write time on sub pass, circle name on Lineup, cross out exiting player 11. Pocket used sub passes Return to play for injuries (during play) and equipment (at stoppage): check player is good to go then signal to ref (hand up, point) 8

Managing the technical areas Stay focused on the game (especially ref) but keep an eye on the benches Don t let them wander around: please stay in the technical area Let them vent: don t pounce on everything they say When you engage, be polite & brief: I understand, coach As of 2009 directive: ask, tell, warn by referee, remove Sometimes, it just doesn t work Do not hesitate to call for removal for irresponsible behavior Misconduct/mass confrontation: make sure no one goes on to the field Time and half time As half winds down, watch for and/or give added time estimate signal Show added time or tell coaches around final minute of regulation time Note actual time on 4 th log Monitor players exiting field Compare match records (score, misconducts) Discuss incidents, flashpoints, coach questions/feedback Get teams back on the field in time for 2 nd half kick off Any subs to be made? (retake 2 nd half starters passes in limited re entry) End of regulation time If overtime or KFM imminent, be ready for questions or substitutions Same added time process as 1 st half Overtime/KFM: be sure players don t get mixed with subs, then manage technical areas as usual Monitor players exiting field Have the ball people bring the balls back to the table (if necessary) Collect gear and exit with crew 9

Post game reporting: Compare match records (score, misconducts, etc) NPSL Box Score Form verified & returned to coach of home team (update your record with any pertinent details) Call NPSL Referee Coordinator to report send offs within 4 hours NPSL Referee Stat Form & USSF Referee Report Form should be emailed/faxed within 24 hours; Supplemental Reports as necessary Even though the 4 th is filling out the paperwork, the Referee is usually responsible for signing & transmitting to the competition authorities. NPSL Box Score Form: (provided by home scorekeeper for verification) USSF Referee Report: (copy information to this form after the game) 10

NPSL Referee Stat Report (another required post game report): Summary: 10 years of evolution and still misunderstood! s primary contact? Two key input documents? Two key forms to bring? When to arrive? Who replaces injured referee? When can injured player return? What about equipment problems? Who can approve return to play? Explain limited re entry Technical area mgmt steps? Who sends reports? Home team referee liaison Rules of competition & timetable Fourth log, sub passes, game report(s) Before the timetable starts! Depends on rules of competition During play (from touch line) At a stoppage 4 th (with acknowledgement by referee) <insert humorous explanations here> Ask, tell, warn (referee), remove Referee 11