Field Exercises
Florida Academy
Donald Wilbur
Modified from FIFA, CONCACAF and USSF Field Exercises. 2009
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 colors
1 Referee
2 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.
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.
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 shirt
2. A tag or towel tucked in the waist of his shorts
3. A tag or towel tucked in the sleeve of his shirt
4. A tag or towel tucked in the neck of his shirt
5. A mixture of all of the above
Have the players run close to each other to add more difficulty to the Referee.
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
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)
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 awarded
3. Handling of the wall
4. 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
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 attacker
2. Deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity by the goalkeeper
3. Advantage with foul by the goalkeeper
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
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.
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
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.
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)
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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