Assistant Referee

Question 1

Does the entire ball have to pass over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar for a goal to be scored?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Describe what has to happen for the ball to be “out of play”.

Answer 2

The ball has to completely pass over the goal line or touch line on the ground or in the air (or play can be stopped by the ref).

Question 3

What is the signal for a goal kick?

Answer 3

Right arm extended out and pointed at the goal.

Question 4

Where should the AR be positioned during kickoff?

Answer 4

In line with the second-to-last opponent (the goalkeeper will be the last opponent, so AR will usually be in line with the deepest center back).

Question 5

Where should the AR be positioned during the match?

Answer 5

In line with the second-to-last opponent, or the ball if the ball is closer to the goal line than the second-to-last opponent. The AR should always be facing the field of play.

Question 6

The AR is responsible for running the entire length of the touch line - true or false?

Answer 6

False - the AR should run half of the touch line (the right side of the field) and should not cross midfield.

Question 7

On a goal kick, if the ball is not placed correctly (it isn’t inside or on the line of the goal box), what should the AR do?

Answer 7

Make eye contact with the center ref and raise a flag overhead.

Question 8

Where should the AR be positioned during a goal kick?

Answer 8

Once the ball has been positioned correctly inside the goal box, the AR should line up in line with the edge of the penalty box. Once the ball has been kicked, the AR should immediately get in line with the second-to-last opponent to check for offsides.

Question 9

The goalkeeper picks up the ball in his/her hands and runs toward the edge of the penalty box to punt the ball. What is the responsibility of the AR?

Answer 9

Get in line with the edge of the penalty box to make sure that the ball does not cross completely over the penalty box line while still in the goalkeeper’s hands. If the ball does cross over, raise the flag and make eye contact with the center ref.

Question 10

Where should the AR be positioned during a penalty kick?

Answer 10

On the goal line, at the intersection of the goal line and the penalty box line, facing the goal.

Question 11

What are the responsibilities of the AR during a penalty kick?

Answer 11

Make sure goalkeeper has at least one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked. Raise the flag if the goalkeeper comes off the line too early.

Also watch to see if the ball completely passes over the goal.

Question 12

What should the AR do when a goal has been scored?

Answer 12

Make eye contact with the ref, then run 20-25 yards to the point halfway in between the end line and the midfield line without raising the flag.

Question 13

Where should the AR be positioned during a corner kick?

Answer 13

The assistant referee’s position for a corner kick is behind the corner flag in line with the goal line. Be sure not to interfere with the player taking the kick.

Question 14

What are the AR’s responsibilities during a corner kick?

Answer 14

Make sure the ball is correctly placed inside the corner arc.

Question 15

During a free kick (direct or indirect), the AR should be in line with the player taking the kick - true or false?

Answer 15

False - the AR should be in line with the second-to-last opponent to check for offsides. Once the ball is kicked, the AR needs to be ready to move quickly toward the end line to check to see if a goal is scored.

Question 16

When the ball goes out of bounds on the touch line closest to the AR, the AR should extend the flag in the direction of the team that earned the throw-in - true or false?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

If the AR sees an improper throw-in taking place (one foot off the ground, foot crosses touch line), what should he/she do?

Answer 17

Raise the flag straight overhead and make eye contact with center ref.

Question 18

When the ball crosses over the goal line closest to the AR’s position, what should the AR do?

Answer 18

Signal for either a goal kick or a corner kick.

Question 19

When a ball is played to an attacker in an offside position, the AR should wave his/her flag wildly over his/her head to make sure that the center ref sees it - true or false?

Answer 19

False - the AR should raise the flag directly overhead in his/her right hand and keep it raised until it is acknowledged by the center ref, or the defending team is clearly in possession of the ball

Once acknowledged by the center ref, the AR should point to the location on the field where the offsides infraction took place.

Question 20

A player can only be in an offside position when they are on the attacking side of the field - true or false?

Answer 20

True

Question 21

An attacker is in an offside position when they are closer to the goal line than:
A) The ball
B) Their mother
C) The second-to-last defender
D) The ninth-to-last defender
E) A and C

Answer 21

A and C; an attacker is in an offside position when they are closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender

Question 22

A player on their attacking side of the field is in an offside position, but they are not involved in the play (the ball is not passed to them and they are not actively interfering with the play). Should the AR raise their flag to alert the center ref that this player is offsides?

Answer 22

No. Being in an offside position is not an infraction (penalty). The AR does not raise the flag unless a player in an offside position becomes involved in the play.

Question 23

A player can be called offsides if they are past the ball and the second-to-last defender on a throw-in - true or false?

Answer 23

False - a player cannot be called offsides on a throw-in

Question 24

Can offsides be called on a goal kick or corner kick?

Answer 24

No

Question 25

An attacker is in an onside position, then sprints past the second-to-last defender after the ball has been played. Is this an offside infraction?

Answer 25

No. If a player is judged to be onside/offside based on where they are when the ball is played forward, not based on where they are when they received the ball.

Question 26

Can offsides be called on a free kick?

Answer 26

Yes

Question 27

An attacker is in an offside position when a defender gets possession of the ball and tries to play it back to her goalkeeper. The attacker who is in an offside position steals the ball before the goalkeeper can get it. Is this an offsides infraction?

Answer 27

No - offsides is not called when the opponent plays the ball to someone on the other team, even if that player was in an offside position

Question 28

The AR sees the ball go out of bounds and raises his/her right arm to show the direction of the throw-in. The center ref disagrees with the AR, and raises his left arm. What should the AR do?:
A) Ask the center ref if he forgot to bring his glasses today
B) Lower the flag and then raise in the same direction as the center ref
C) Run on the field and whisper in the center ref’s ear that he made a mistake and is an embarrassment to the reffing community

Answer 28

B - the center ref makes the ultimate decision, the AR is there for advice to the center ref

Question 29

If the AR sees that a substitution has been requested by a team, what is the signal that he/she should use?

Answer 29

Raise the flag overhead between both hands (flag is horizontal). The flag is only raised during a stoppage of play, and should only be raised when the team requesting to sub has a right to substitute (i.e., a team will not be allowed to substitute if they do not have possession of the ball, unless both teams are wanting to substitute).