USSF

Field ExercisesFlorida Academy

Donald Wilbur

Modified from FIFA, CONCACAF and USSF Field Exercises. 2009

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The purpose of these exercises is to increase the knowledge base of our officials in regards to the best position to provide the optimal viewing angle in their role as Referee or Assistant Referee.

It is important to have them constantly moving through the exercise and not standing around.

We start with a simple basic understanding of what our tasks are and then add more difficulty by adding additional balls, AR’s or other tasks (carding techniques, body and facial language, voice loudness and tone, whistle mechanics, …).

The role of the instructor is to gauge the success of each exercise and then add complexity as the participants master it and/or break it down further by eliminating complexity if the officials are struggling with success.

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5 AR’S

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INSTRUCTOR 22

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WITH CARDS

INSTRUCTOR 1

5 AR’S

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STATIONS ON THE FIELD OF PLAY TO MAXIMIZE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

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25 – 30 Yards

6 yards

10 yards

How many players does it take to block the view of the goal post from: 5, 10 yards

Managing the wall

Quineau Diagonal for best view (the large curved arrow)

Position for Referee and AR to cover wall management, offside and determining if a goal is scored

AR

Field Exercises For Referee’s and AR’s

Aim: R to develop speed of reaction and concentration.

Participants: 5 Attackers in distinct colors

5 Defenders in distinct colors1 Referee2 AR’s may be added when 2 or more balls are used

Procedure:

The players form a 8 yard diameter circle with the Referee in the middle.

Players pass the ball clockwise and try to surprise the R by bouncing the ball (a foul).

The R must identify the player who bounced the ball, whistle the foul, and show the direction of the free kick.

The second time that the same player bounces the ball, the R must show him a yellow card and the third time, a red card.

The ball is always passed in a clockwise direction diameter around 8 – 10 yards.

In increase difficulty, use 2 balls, no AR’s.

Participants may switch roles to become the R or the AR’s.

We can add more difficulty by playing 2-3 balls at the same time. We will use two AR’s to assist the Referee with foul count and card(s).

An instructor will be with the R to help him, and instructors will be with the AR’s to assist them with corrections.

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Aim: R to develop speed of reaction and concentration

Participants: 4 – 8 attackers and 4 – 8 defenders

1 Referee

1 AR may be added to assist the referee

Procedure:

Each team starts with a ball. Players kick the ball to their team mates. If the pass is not executed correctly, the R calls a foul against the team. Players can try to surprise the R by kicking the ball in his direction. The R must try to avoid being hit by the ball, and if hit, identify the player who kicked the ball at him and show him a yellow card.

The second time that the same player kicks the ball and hits the R, he is shown a Red card.

To add difficulty, 2 or more balls may be used. When this occurs, you may use an AR.

Depending upon the skill level of the players, the size of the circle may be adjusted.

The area of the circle is larger than exercise 1, here it is 12 to 15 yards diameter for skilled players, and much smaller for the not-so-skilled players. If no ball skill, then they may throw the ball at the referee below the waist.

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Instructor

Aim: To Increase the R’s awareness of the movement / actions of players weaving inside and outside of the Penalty Area

Participants: 5 attackers, 5 defenders, 1 Referee

Procedure:

Players move in a confined space (no ball)

One player at a time commits an offence against an opponent inside the penalty area. The R must identify the player who committed the infringement, signal the correct restart of play, and apply the appropriate disciplinary sanction.

The level of difficulty may be increased with the use of concealed offences:

1. A tag or towel tucked in the back of his shirt2. A tag or towel tucked in the waist of his shorts3. A tag or towel tucked in the sleeve of his shirt4. A tag or towel tucked in the neck of his shirt5. A mixture of all of the above

Have the players run close to each other to add more difficulty to the Referee.

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Instructor

Aim: To develop R’s movement / positioning about the Field of Play

Participants: 10 players (Two teams of 5 each), 1 Referee, 2 AR’s

Procedure:

The two teams take up positions at the half-way line in a line evenly spaced out.

The R is positioned near the edge of the penalty area on his diagonal and must keep play between himself and one of his AR’s.

One team passes the ball by hand from one player to another in sequence as they move up the field of play at a walking pace.

Teams change at the end of each practice

The exercise is repeated with the players moving a little more quickly as they pass.

Passes Ball With Hands

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INSTRUCTOR

Aim: To develop R’s movement / positioning about the Field of Play

Participants: 10 players (Two teams of 5 each)

1 Referee, 2 AR’s

Procedure:

The two teams take up positions at either end of the FOP in a line evenly spaced out.

The R is positioned near the edge of the penalty area on his diagonal and must keep play between himself and one of his AR’s.

One team passes the ball by kicking from one player to another not in sequence as they move up the field of play at a walking pace.

Teams change at the end of each practice

The exercise is repeated with the players moving a little more quickly as they pass.

BALL IS EITHER KICKED OR PASSED WITH HAND (SKILL LEVEL)

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Aim: Positioning at Free kicks, management of the 10 yards

Participants: 5 attackers, 5 defenders

1 Referee, 1 AR

Procedure:

Attackers and defenders play near the edge of the penalty area

Offences are committed by the defending team just outside the penalty area

The R is to manage the 10 yard and then take up the correct position to check for encroachment and fouls.

1. Offence is signaled (by Referee or AR)2. 10 yards is correctly awarded3. Handling of the wall4. Angle of view of the Referee and AR at the calling of the foul

Need one instructor for the Referee and one for the AR

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Ref Instructor

AR Instructor

Aim: To recognize fair / unfair challenges by the goalkeeper inside / outside the penalty area in 1 v 1 situations

Participants: 6 attackers, 1 goalkeeper

1 Referee, 1 AR

Procedure:Attackers are positioned in pairs in 3 different starting positions outside the penalty area

Movement toward goal options: (1) One attacker at a time dribbles the ball toward the goal; or (2) Defender chases the attacker who is running with a passed ball or after a ball passed into space.

The attacker and goalkeeper meet:

1. about 10 meters from goal

2. near the top of the 18 (in and out of the PA)

The Referee must decide if the challenge is fair / unfair and apply the appropriate disciplinary sanction

AR’s need to decide whether their involvement is needed in calling a foul (if it is in their “zone of control” and help with foul inside/outside the penalty area.

The exercise may be repeated with:

1. Simulation by the attacker2. Deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity by the goalkeeper3. Advantage with foul by the goalkeeper

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The AR and Referee should make contact signals and go immediately to the correct position for the restart.

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AR Instructor

Ref Instructor

Aim: AR to signal different situations (Throw-in, Corner kick, Goal kick, or Free kick)

Participants: 1 attacker and 1 defender

1 AR

Procedure:

Attacker and defender move towards the corner flag with the ball and either commit a foul or the ball passes for a throw-in, corner kick or a goal kick

Players are instructed in advance as to what to do

AR should signal for a throw-in, goal kick, corner kick or free kick with the appropriate hand.

30 yards out from goal line close to goal line

Now add three attackers and three defenders

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Decisions:

Foul – Attacker or Defender

Throw-in , Goal kick, Corner Kick or Goal

A RA R

Aim: For the AR to develop running techniques

Participants: 5 players from same team and 1 AR

Procedure:

The AR runs along the touchline following the ball looking infield at all times.

Players pass the ball to one another with either short or long passes

The AR runs sideways if there is a short pass or makes a sprint forward if there is a long pass

The AR is to hold the flag with the hand near the field at all times.

To give the AR’s a good test on side-stepping, have the 2 middle players pass the ball several times in quick succession and then pass the ball to one of the outside players. This still gives the ability to produce short, medium and long passes.

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A R

Instructor

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Aim: AR running technique to improve the AR’s running and concentration

Participants: 1 AR with 4- 5 other AR’s ready to perform immediately

Procedure:

AR to change his running technique from cone to cone along the touchline based on the instruction from the instructor

For example:

#1 or hold up a White card = AR walks

#2 or hold up a Blue card = AR jogs

#3 or hold up a Green card = AR side steps

#4 or hold up a Red card = AR sprints

Each AR is moving one at a time toward the goal line, immediately after the instructor whistles that the ball has passed the goal line, the 2nd AR receives his instructions

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Instructor - Cards

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AR Instructor

Aim: To increase the AR’s ability to concentrate

Participants: 5 defenders and 5 attackers in 5 teams, and 1 AR

Procedure:

The attacker and defensive players challenge for the ball.

The AR must decide who kicked it last and correctly restart with a corner kick or goal kick.

First have the teams of defensive and attacker players attack the goal line in numerical order (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) then have a random order

The next group starts immediately after the AR signals for the decision and before the AR has time to go back to the original offside position.

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Instructor

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A R

Aim: OFFSIDE. The AR is to recognize if an attacker is in an offside position at the moment the ball is played by a colleague

Participants: 5 attackers and 5 defenders, 1 kicker and 1 AR

Procedure:

First, the defender is static and the attackers take it in turn to run towards the opponent’s goal line.

The kicker plays the ball at the moment the players (attacker and defense) are very close to each other (making the decision as difficult as possible)

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The kicker passes the ball at a pace so that it arrives to the static defender about the same time the attacker does.

The Instructor gives immediate feedback for offside or not offside, flag techniques and running style.

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Attackers

Aim: OFFSIDE. The AR is to recognize if an attacker is in an offside position at the moment the ball is played by a colleague

Participants: 5 attackers and 5 defenders, 1 kicker and 1 AR

Procedure:

Now the defender is dynamic and moves out to add more difficulty just before the ball is played

The kicker plays the ball at the moment the players (attacker and defense) are very close to each other (making the decision as difficult as possible)

Short distance between attacker and Long distance between them

Defense Another variant: 2 rows of attackers

And two rows of defenders

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