AR Decisions

An Assistant Referee (AR) in soccer, commonly known as a linesman, plays a crucial role in assisting the main referee in managing the game. Here are the primary responsibilities of an AR:

1. Offside Decisions

• The AR’s most visible responsibility is to monitor offside situations. They keep an eye on the position of the attacking players relative to the last defender (excluding the goalkeeper) and signal with their flag if a player is in an offside position when the ball is played to them and is actively involved in the play.

2. Out-of-Bounds and Restarts

• The AR determines when the ball has fully crossed the touchline or goal line and signals whether a throw-in, goal kick, or corner kick should be awarded. They also indicate which team has the right to the restart based on who last touched the ball.

3. Foul Detection

• The AR assists the referee in detecting fouls, particularly those that occur close to their touchline or outside the referee’s field of vision. If the AR sees a foul, they signal with their flag and may communicate with the referee about the nature of the infringement.

4. Goal Judgments

• The AR helps in determining whether the ball has fully crossed the goal line inside the goal (in the absence of goal-line technology) and assists the referee in making a decision on whether a goal should be awarded.

5. Substitutions

• The AR helps manage player substitutions by signaling the referee when a team wishes to make a substitution and ensuring that the substitution is conducted according to the rules.

6. Communication with the Referee

• ARs maintain constant communication with the referee, both verbally (via communication systems, if available) and through signals. They support the referee’s decisions and provide additional perspectives on incidents that may be difficult for the referee to see.

7. Monitoring the Technical Area

• The AR nearest to the technical area (where coaches and substitutes are located) keeps an eye on the behavior of team officials and substitutes. They alert the referee if there are any issues, such as inappropriate conduct or unauthorized personnel entering the field.

The AR’s role is to ensure that the game is played fairly and according to the rules, complementing the referee’s decisions with their unique vantage point along the touchline.