4th Officials

[futbolislife]

Having watched several games during the playoff season, I would strongly encourage those referees who are being asked to do a 4th official to do some homework. Most referees have not had experience doing 4ths so they can not fully understand what they should and can be doing. The 4th is an important and vital member of the crew. They can make some bad situations so much better and offer another set of eyes to the normal 3 man crew.

This document can provide some guidance. images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/doc_6_45.pdf

From games I have seen so far, my observations for 4ths to consider:
1. you control game balls, not coaches or players.
2. No need to carry a clipboard. Keep your hands free. All notes can be kept on your typical book in your pocket.
3. If a foul occurs right in front of you and the referee or AR cant see it, you can make that call. Discuss this mechanics in pregame.
4. Players should be sitting down, preferably with pinnies. Absolutely with pinnies if they are warming up.
5. Manage the coaches. If they are upset, you be the first to try to handle the situation. Don't stand there as they go off on the referee or AR. No need to be Hitler. Use personality first. Get them to TALK to you. Find out what is the problem and manage it.
6. Make sure that players are properly uniformed before going on and you have the proper number of players.
7. You should always be the last one recording any game information. After everyone else.
8. You should not be sitting down. From personal experience, you wont be able to react fast enough from a sitting position when "it" happens.
9. You should not be 10 yds behind the benches having conversations with "friends". Keep focused on the game, thats why you are there.
10. And coaches need to stay in their respective areas. They are not permitted to down to the goal line to issue instructions.

I could go on but these are my thoughts based soley on what I have seen in games to date. I have no doubt my good friend "Happy" will add notes.

I can tell you that doing the 4th correctly can be fun and very rewarding. Just know and understand your job. If you have never done one or its been a long time, ask someone who is experienced at it.

At regionals every year, we spend a lot of time reviewing 4th official duties with our delegation because we just don't get enough practice at it. I have seen referees fail assessments as the 4th and create problems for the referee that could easily be avoided. I have seen 4ths "save" referees as well. wouldn't you feel better being in the latter group?

[happyjack]

other things to discuss prior to the start of the match...

in the event of injury, 4th controls one bench, SAR the other. you don't need to worry what is going on on the field, your job is controlling the bench at that point. If you don't discuss it ahead of time, it will be a problem, so anticipate and be proactive rather than reactive. Agree that there is no reason to carry a clipboard. Make sure players warming up aren't using soccer balls. Make sure bench players remain seated - that is why they are called bench players. Help the referee out, if you see persistent infringement and the referee isn't catching it, let him know. Be an active part of the referee crew, not a post standing at midfield

[futbolislife]

I knew my buddy would chime in.

Found this slide show with instructor notes. The discussion on page 8 on dealing with coaches is very good stuff. Be the "good cop" first. You need to be there at least 80 minutes. Long time if you are not making friends.....
images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/doc_6_46.pdf

Please understand, I have learned all of this through my own mistakes. I just want to pass on some of my info so others dont make the same mistakes.

[furriner]

FIL, many tx. Would have been useful for a couple of games recently.

Do you have a similar one for Happy to read for being an effective center?

[happyjack]

there is not enough server space on la prep to give me that help...

[furriner]

I have been involved in playoff games this year in all capacities. The pre-game is important.

Happy just tells me not to mess things up too badly; but we have worked together for years and I know what he wants.
Other centers tell the 4th that he is an integral part of the game and to basically be a third AR for him.
Another center has told the 4th to "make sure shirts are tucked in". Otherwise shut up and stand out of the way.

Is it any wonder that there is confusion out there?

[futbolislife]

To the CRs that tell you nothing or "keep shirts in", your approach should be to ask questions during the pregame.
1. So you don't want me to control game balls?
2. So you don't want help on fouls in front of me?
3. So if you give a second caution and don't send the player, you want me to keep quiet?
4. etc, etc, etc

Most likely the CR has no idea what you should be doing. Ask those questions and any referee who has any clue will say he wants you to do all those things you are asking about.

Pregame should never be a lecture. It should be dialog between the members of the crew. In my opinion, any pregame for a playoff game should be at least 30 minutes unless the crew has worked together before and has had the discussions previously.

Unfortunately, most pre-games last about 3 minutes.

[sevillafc]

fubolislife, glad you brought this point up. There is a reason for the crew to include a 4th official or AO in college. Asking questions is important and that should trigger your CR to find out what they don't know. Working with a crew that you know is vital, but sometimes your crew will be from one area and the 4th local. In the case you don't know your crew and have questions, be responsible and READ the material that may pertains to playoffs and dare I say anything else you may not know. You will be asked questions by coaches, and even baited by some, so KNOW what you are talking about or decline the assignment.
After all the coaches have prepared for the opponent right? So should you!