Officiating at the High School Level
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No coaching of players during game
Book says no bending of the rules… but what is in
effect is the spirit of the law vs. the letter of the law
The game is an “outdoor classroom” learning:
* Gracious Winning and Losing
* Proper Sporting Behavior
* Essence of Teamwork
*Communicating with Authority Figures
Three Systems of Play – The
Dual
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A. Dual System
Designation: Two referees – a lead official and a
trail official – One becomes head referee and
one becomes the assistant
Both have equal responsibility and equal
authority on making calls, but he head official is
the one who makes decisions on all
administrative calls.
Advantages - Dual System (Cont’d)
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Only two official needed
Two different angles or sets of eyes on each play
Play is always boxed in by two officials
There are two referees to communicate with
players and coaches regarding incidents
Sound learning tool for new official
Disadvantages of Dual System
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Poor Offside coverage
Conflicting calls by officials
Two individual games being called
Poor field coverage
Poor communication over distance
One official calls game being dominated
Open door for Coach’s dissatisfaction
B. Diagonal System
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Uses one referee and two
assistant referees (A.R)
AR’s perform pre-game duties;
indicate ball out of play, when
player is offsides, direction of
throw-in; goal kick; corner kick
Assist Ref in controlling game
via fouls and misconduct,
substitutions, back-up scoring,
timing and bookings. Alert to
functions occurring off the
field of play.
Advantages of Diagonal System
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One official makes call – consistency
Worldwide system – better training
Only one fully experienced official needed
Greater offside coverage
Challenges of Diagonal System
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Three Officials are needed as opposed to two
Poor Referee….Poor Game-Youth learn game
Ref can overrule AR offsides/fouls
C. Double Dual (Three Whistle)
System
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Uses a Center Referee (CR) and two side
referees. CR covers center of field with the two
side referees covering the sides of field
Side Refs have some control responsibilities as
CR
Advantages of Double-dual System
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Play on and off ball has greater coverage
It allows for great offside coverage
All plays can be covered by CR and one of the
side referees
Three officials to communicate with players, call
fouls and handle violent conduct
Officials are promoted to Ref status sooner
All Refs have integral part of game- less
dropouts
Disadvantages of Double-dual
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Three paid in lieu of two officials
Foul calling inconsistent when differing levels of
referees used
Rule Differences
A. Both Teams Sub on Corner Kicks
B. Unlimited Subs when warranted while NCAA players leaving in
First half cannot re-enter in that half; and in the second half players
Can re-enter once.
C. Second Yellow Card to same player, player can
Leave the field and be substituted. NCAA..no!
Rule Differences (Cont’d)
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When a throw-in does not enter the field of play
the throw-in is given to the other team.