Role Overview

An Assistant Referee (often called a Linesperson) helps the main referee during matches. There are usually two — one from each team — and they’re often parents or volunteers. Your support helps the game run smoothly and fairly.

Before the Game

• Introduce yourself to the referee.
• Collect a flag (or vest) if one is provided.
• Ask the referee how they’d like you to assist — some referees prefer to handle fouls themselves.

Your Role During the Game

Assistant Referees help the referee with:

• Ball in and out of play — signal when the whole ball crosses the line.
• Throw-ins, corners, and goal kicks — indicate which team should take the restart.
• Offside calls — for U12 and above, assist with offsides if confident.
• Substitutions — help the referee manage player changes.

Positioning

• Cover one touchline (from the goal line to halfway).
• The referee will tell you which side to take; switch ends at half-time.
• Stay in line with the second-last defender to judge offsides.

Use of the Flag

• Keep the flag pointed down when moving.
• When the ball goes out:
  • Raise the flag at 45° in the direction of the throw-in.
  • For goal kicks, point directly towards the goal area.
  • For corners, point down at 45° towards the corner flag.
• Maintain eye contact with the referee — they may overrule you, and that’s fine.

Offside Rule (U12+)

A player is offside when they are beyond the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played and are involved in the play (interfering or blocking the keeper).

Not offside if:

• In their own half.
• From a throw-in, corner, or goal kick.

When you spot an offside:

• Stop moving and raise your flag straight up.
• Wait for the referee to acknowledge you, then point to where the offside occurred (near, middle, or far side).

Substitutions

• When a coach requests a sub and the ball goes out of play, raise your flag horizontally above your head.
• Once the referee approves, check the new player’s equipment (no jewellery, shin guards on) and ensure they wait until the other player has fully left the field.

General Tips

• Always stay focused on the play, even when the ball is on the far side.
• Stay calm, signal clearly, and remember — the referee’s decision is final.
• Enjoy being part of the match and supporting the kids!

This video looks at the signals a linesman might need to know.

• The key thing is raise the flag when you need to get the referees attention, and point it in the direction that the team who gets the ball is attacking.

• It might be worth asking the ref at the start of the game, exactly what he wants you to flag. He may only want you to do offside, and whose ball is it if the ball goes out of play

• See below for flag signals to use

The most important and potentially controversial role of the linesman is to get the offside call right.  

Here is a video on what the offside rule is - https://youtu.be/GePlbCsGniA?si=Ut4NV-oDT1ZCoAbv

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It IS difficult to call offside & this video shows exactly how difficult it is - https://youtu.be/_pGMRN5KN8M?si=EZQecX3iQJGC7WQ-

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• The key thing is to; Stay level with the last defender.

• Try to adjust for the movement that occurred between the pass and when the line was checked (this is where mistakes are made).