What is the Best Position? More Advanced Positioning February, 2013 - R. Baker1.

What is the Best Position?What is the Best Position?

More Advanced More Advanced PositioningPositioning

February, 2013 - R. BakerFebruary, 2013 - R. Baker 11



In practice, the “best position” is never known in In practice, the “best position” is never known in advance – it is revealed after the fact as “best” advance – it is revealed after the fact as “best” only if it has enabled the referee to see what only if it has enabled the referee to see what most needs to be seen.most needs to be seen.

All recommendations about positioning are All recommendations about positioning are based on probabilities and must be adjusted based on probabilities and must be adjusted using specific information about the teams, the using specific information about the teams, the players and events in the match up to that players and events in the match up to that point.point.

BeingBeing in the right place at the right time to make in the right place at the right time to make the right decisionthe right decision.



Positioning with ball in play :Positioning with ball in play :

Traditional left diagonal system of Traditional left diagonal system of controlcontrol

The principles of good The principles of good positioningpositioning



The referee should be close enough to see The referee should be close enough to see play without interfering with play.play without interfering with play.

What needs to be seen is not always in the What needs to be seen is not always in the vicinity of the ball. The referee should also vicinity of the ball. The referee should also pay attention to – aggressive individual pay attention to – aggressive individual player confrontations off the ball, possible player confrontations off the ball, possible offences in the area towards which play is offences in the area towards which play is heading, offences occurring after the ball heading, offences occurring after the ball is in play and offences behind him.is in play and offences behind him.

Positioning with ball in play:Positioning with ball in play:




The referee should have a wide line of The referee should have a wide line of vision and not be in a position having the vision and not be in a position having the same line of vision as the AR as this same line of vision as the AR as this narrows his viewing perspective.narrows his viewing perspective.

Having a wide line of vision provides a Having a wide line of vision provides a better position for a counterattack and a better position for a counterattack and a better control of pushing and holding.better control of pushing and holding.

Positioning in dead ball situations:Positioning in dead ball situations:




RememberRemember good positioning is the place with good positioning is the place with the best view, close enough to react effectively.the best view, close enough to react effectively.

Good positioning can be recognised from the Good positioning can be recognised from the implementation of its three components: implementation of its three components:

Angle, Ball, and CloseAngle, Ball, and Close

Positioning concepts are tools not rules!Positioning concepts are tools not rules!

More advanced principles of good More advanced principles of good positioningpositioning



ANGLEANGLE The first priority for a referee is to see what has happened, The first priority for a referee is to see what has happened, or is about to happen. In other words the referee must have or is about to happen. In other words the referee must have an angled view on play. There are two basic types of angle.an angled view on play. There are two basic types of angle.ExternalExternal - where the referee is outside or to the left of - where the referee is outside or to the left of play. From this position the referee can see through the play. From this position the referee can see through the point of contact and will have the majority of players in view point of contact and will have the majority of players in view and have play between themselves and their assistants.and have play between themselves and their assistants.InternalInternal - where the referee is inside the play, that is, on - where the referee is inside the play, that is, on the right side of play. In this case many of the players are the right side of play. In this case many of the players are not in the referees view and the play is not between the not in the referees view and the play is not between the referee and the assistant referee. referee and the assistant referee.

Understanding the dynamics of good positioning.Understanding the dynamics of good positioning.

The ABC of good positioningThe ABC of good positioning



RELATIONSHIP TO THE BALLRELATIONSHIP TO THE BALL The second component of good positioning is to The second component of good positioning is to try and keep the ball between the referee and try and keep the ball between the referee and assistant referee.assistant referee.The working relationship between the three The working relationship between the three match officials encourages the assistants to take match officials encourages the assistants to take responsibility for their zone of play. responsibility for their zone of play. The referee therefore, should be positioned to The referee therefore, should be positioned to maximise this interaction.maximise this interaction.





CLOSECLOSE Once the referee can see through the point Once the referee can see through the point of contact there is great value in being close of contact there is great value in being close to play.to play.““Close‟ should be interpreted as being Close‟ should be interpreted as being between 10 to 15 metres from the ball.between 10 to 15 metres from the ball.This increases the ability to “sell the This increases the ability to “sell the decision‟. decision‟.





The basic movement pattern for a referee is to be The basic movement pattern for a referee is to be left of and behind the ball.left of and behind the ball.

Essentially the referee is simply concentrating on Essentially the referee is simply concentrating on moving left of the ball.moving left of the ball.

In this way they are learning to apply the three In this way they are learning to apply the three components of Angle Ball and Close (ABC).components of Angle Ball and Close (ABC).

Positioning ElementsPositioning Elements




The player has the ball at his feet. Where is The player has the ball at his feet. Where is he looking? What is he looking for?he looking? What is he looking for?

He is either looking to where he can pass the He is either looking to where he can pass the ball or where he can run the ball. That’s the ball or where he can run the ball. That’s the target.target.

If the player is not being challenged by If the player is not being challenged by another player to get the ball off him don’t another player to get the ball off him don’t worry about what he is doing, look where he worry about what he is doing, look where he is looking, check and look for the targets he is looking, check and look for the targets he is looking for. is looking for.

TARGETS AND WHERE? WHERE? GO?TARGETS AND WHERE? WHERE? GO?




Once you spot those Once you spot those targetstargets, once you see , once you see those places, he’s going to tell you what he those places, he’s going to tell you what he is doing.is doing.

If he is starting to stand up and leaning If he is starting to stand up and leaning back a little bit, he’s going to hit the ball back a little bit, he’s going to hit the ball long. If he has his head down he’s looking long. If he has his head down he’s looking for a sort pass.for a sort pass.

That’s how you start to tell. The players That’s how you start to tell. The players tell you where the tell you where the targettarget is going to be. is going to be.





WWGWWG helps the referee make the decision. helps the referee make the decision. ““WWG‟ WWG‟ is a short-hand method of is a short-hand method of

explaining the explaining the anticipationanticipation required of required of referees to achieve more effective referees to achieve more effective positioning. The referee asks two questions positioning. The referee asks two questions and makes a decision: and makes a decision:

WWhere is play going? here is play going? WWhere do I need to go to get the best view?here do I need to go to get the best view? GGo there now!o there now!





Good Good anticipationanticipation provides referees with more provides referees with more time to select the best viewing option. time to select the best viewing option.

Not Not anticipatinganticipating play means that referees have play means that referees have to chase the play, often at a fast pace, draining to chase the play, often at a fast pace, draining both physical energy and mental capacity, as both physical energy and mental capacity, as well as limiting their positional options. well as limiting their positional options.

The sooner the referee begins the positional The sooner the referee begins the positional sequence the easier it will be to cover the sequence the easier it will be to cover the required ground whilst selecting the best required ground whilst selecting the best viewing option. viewing option.

ANTICIPATIONANTICIPATION




This process often starts in the middle of the This process often starts in the middle of the field when an attacking move breaks down field when an attacking move breaks down and the play starts moving in the opposite and the play starts moving in the opposite direction. direction.

Many referees watch play go past them and Many referees watch play go past them and then at some point begin to chase the play. then at some point begin to chase the play.

They are already behind play and getting They are already behind play and getting further behind all the time.further behind all the time.

This leaves them limited time and positional This leaves them limited time and positional options to get the best view.options to get the best view.

ANTICIPATIONANTICIPATION




When play breaks down or changes direction quickly, When play breaks down or changes direction quickly, and players are about to make contact, the referee and players are about to make contact, the referee needs to adjust position very quickly to be able to see needs to adjust position very quickly to be able to see the next phase play. the next phase play.

The referee should run into the place that will give him The referee should run into the place that will give him the best position; a good position in the shortest time.the best position; a good position in the shortest time.

To do this the referee throws an To do this the referee throws an XX over where the point over where the point of contact will occur. of contact will occur.

There will be a choice of two angles There will be a choice of two angles internalinternal or or externalexternal. When contact is about to occur you take the . When contact is about to occur you take the option that will let you see.option that will let you see.

ANTICIPATIONANTICIPATIONThe The XX Factor Factor



Obviously Obviously externalexternal angle is better but if angle is better but if you can’t get there in time you need to you can’t get there in time you need to take the take the internalinternal angle so you can see. angle so you can see.

In the diagrams following we have two In the diagrams following we have two players coming together. The players coming together. The XX shows the shows the point of contact and the two vectors the point of contact and the two vectors the referee can choose.referee can choose.

ANTICIPATIONANTICIPATIONThe The XX Factor Factor



External ViewThe The XX Factor Factor



Internal ViewThe The XX Factor Factor



Any position that the referee takes during a Any position that the referee takes during a game can be evaluated by seeing how game can be evaluated by seeing how effective it applies the three criteria of Angle, effective it applies the three criteria of Angle, Ball and Close.Ball and Close.

AngleAngle is the most important because it allows is the most important because it allows the referee to see. It is worth 6 points.the referee to see. It is worth 6 points.

BallBall helps keep the play between the referee helps keep the play between the referee and the assistants and is worth one point.and the assistants and is worth one point.

ClosenessCloseness adds conviction to the decision adds conviction to the decision and is worth three points.and is worth three points.

EvaluationEvaluation

Judging Positioning



Judging Positioning

Criteria 1 2 3Angle 0 3 6Ball 0 0.5 0Closeness 3 2 3Total 3 5.5 9



Judging Positioning

Criteria 1 2 3 4Angle 4 5 6 6Ball 0 0 0 1Closeness

0 3 3 3

Total 4 8 9 10



Whenever a referee moves the first criteria Whenever a referee moves the first criteria that they have to achieve is angle.that they have to achieve is angle.

Once angle is achieved then the referee can Once angle is achieved then the referee can attempt to get close to play.attempt to get close to play.

In essence the practice of general positioning In essence the practice of general positioning can be summed up in two parts:can be summed up in two parts: The basic strategy is to go The basic strategy is to go leftleft of play. of play. AnticipationAnticipation (WWG) is the key to (WWG) is the key to

better better positional options.positional options.

EvaluationEvaluation

Judging Positioning



If If timetime is the most important factor, take the is the most important factor, take the shortestshortest route, route,

but. . . but. . .

If If you have enough time you have enough time to get a good to get a good angle, take the route that keeps you angle, take the route that keeps you out of out of the way the way of play.of play.

The following example scenario is a typical The following example scenario is a typical situation that occurs in a game – check the situation that occurs in a game – check the positions shown for the positions shown for the best angle of view!best angle of view!

POINTS TO CONSIDER:POINTS TO CONSIDER:

Getting the Best Angle of View

Referee

SITUATION A

Forward passes to the wing and runs for a return ball.

Defender wants to win the ball

Where can the Where can the referee go to get a referee go to get a good view?good view?

Referee

In order to see the

tackle, the referee must move out of the “Blind

Zone”. But which way

should he go?

THE SITUATION:

Referee

SITUATION ‘A’

The quickest way?

10 metre movement15 metre from

clash

Referee

SITUATION ‘A’

1To get even closer,

(Method 1):

15 metre run

< 10 metres from clash

Referee

SITUATION ‘A’

Disadvantages?:

Enough time to get there?

In the way of subsequent

action?

Referee

SITUATION ‘A’

2To get even closer

(Method 2):

15-18 metre run

10 metres from clash

Referee

SITUATION ‘A’

2

Principal advantage (Method 2):

Out of the way of any subsequent action

SITUATION ‘B’:

Long aerial ball into the heart of the defence.

Referee

Referee’s

blind zone

Referee must get closer and a better angle of view.

SITUATION ‘C’:

High cross into the heart of the defence, from the

right.

Referee

Referee’s blind zone

Almost anywhere on the left diagonal will give the referee a good angle of view.

SITUATION ‘D’:

High cross into the heart of the defence, from the left.

Referee


Referee on“wider”diagonal


A quick, ten metre sprint off a wide, deep diagonal will get the referee a good angle of view.



Use of the old-fashioned “normal” diagonal may Use of the old-fashioned “normal” diagonal may not give the referee the best angle of view in not give the referee the best angle of view in some important situationssome important situations

Use of a wider, deeper diagonal allows the Use of a wider, deeper diagonal allows the referee more flexibility in choosing a good view.referee more flexibility in choosing a good view.

Taking the angle of view into account will increase Taking the angle of view into account will increase the likelihood of your making the correct call.the likelihood of your making the correct call.

In anticipation of any clash you see coming, be In anticipation of any clash you see coming, be ready to move off your diagonal to get the best ready to move off your diagonal to get the best angle of view.angle of view.

ConclusionsConclusions

Modern Reality

Richard Baker

Referee Positioning

QUESTIONS ?

What is the Best Position? More Advanced Positioning February, 2013 - R. Baker1.

Documents

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