SOCCER

Invariably, at games in the lower leagues, the Fourth Official will very often be an experienced local Referee, purposefully chosen to make the traveling Referee and his two Assistant Referees welcome at the ground. Due to his local knowledge, the Fourth Official will probably already be familiar with the ground layout, the ground staff and team officials. It is very important in such circumstances, that the local Fourth Official should arrive at the ground before any of the other officials arrive - the other officials may have traveled some distance to the ground.

Be smart in appearance, and welcome your colleagues to the ground. Find out beforehand, where the officials' changing rooms are. Make yourself known to the ground staff and the team managers. This all helps to make any traveling officials welcome, and at ease when they arrive. Of course, the Referee, Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official must all be at the ground at the time prescribed by the rules of competition, and at the very least 30 minutes prior to kick-off. Officials are recommend to arrive in good time. This will ensure that there is enough time to check the facilities, and to allow for any adjustments to be made to the field of play etc.

Close co-ordination by telephone with the Referee, in the days before the match, will allow the Officials to meet together as a team in plenty of time before the game starts. Referees usually like to follow a set routine before their games. This allows them to feel relaxed and comfortable, in the knowledge that when they enter the field of play, they are not flummoxed or panicking about something they have forgotten, or have failed to organize something properly. It is very important that the Fourth Official arrives in good time to allow the Referee time to properly brief all of his Assistants. The Referee will not be very pleased with you, if you arrive 5 minutes before kick-off, after he has briefed his Assistant Referees, and just as he is about to enter the field of play to start the game. The Fourth Official should participate fully in the Referee's pre-match brief. It is during this brief, that the Fourth Official will learn of his responsibilities - as meted out by the Referee. 

Some Referees like to deliver their pre-match brief whilst 'inspecting the field of play'. The Fourth Official should
take special note of the Technical Area positions, during this pre-match field of play inspection.  It is usual practice for the Referee, Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official to participate together in carefully inspecting the field of play to ensure the adequacy of markings, safety, general playing conditions, position of the benches, and to decide the best touchline position for the Assistant Referees to take. This ritual also allows the Referee to form a bond between his team, and gives the match officials time to discuss any particular game points. 

The Fourth Official can be given the responsibility for obtaining and inspecting the match balls. Don't wait for the Referee to give you this responsibility - get to the ground early and complete this task before the other officials arrive. 

The Fourth Official should be fully prepared at all times, to take over either as the Referee, or one of the Assistant Referees. The Fourth Official should ensure that he arrives at the ground with additional equipment such as spare flags, clip boards, coins, whistles etc. 

The Referee will normally brief his Assistant Referees and the Fourth Official before the game commences.
This will allow the Referee to instruct the other officials on what he expects them to do during the game, and to
make clear what the responsibilities of each of the individual officials are. The briefing also allows the other officials
to discuss and to help the Referee with his match plan. Most Referees are willing (and actively seek) input from all
of their team. The contents of pre-match briefings are discussed on the Assistant Referee page on this web.
The Fourth Official's particular responsibilities, are discussed throughout this ' Fourth Officials' page. The Referee
will explain what signals he expects from his Assistant Referees' and Fourth Official. The competition rules should also be discussed. This will ensure that all the officials are aware of: Length of play? Whether extra time will be played if there is a draw? The number of permitted substitutes? Any particular competition variations to the normal rules? etc.  

Some competition rules require an inspection to be made of the players' equipment (look for earrings, finger rings, sharp damaged studs etc.) The Senior Assistant Referee or Fourth Official may be delegated to do this task by the Referee. Besides this, they may also be asked to check any 'Team-Sheets' , and to ensure that any other pre-match paperwork has been dealt with correctly. 

Some further Fourth Official pre-match responsibilities are as follows: 

Each Referee will have his own view on which tasks he wishes to delegate to the Forth Official. A good Referee will ensure that the Fourth Official is made to feel an important part of the Team. The Referee should delegate important responsibilities to the Fourth Official. 

I have been a Fourth Official on several occasions, and it is very easy to feel the odd-man-out in the team. Invariably, the Referee and Assistant Referee will have traveled to the ground together; they may already know each other from officiating in their local area league.

The Fourth Official can be made to feel unwanted - it has happened to me on several occasions. The Fourth Official can see himself as 'additional baggage' that the Referee has been foisted to accept. The Referee must not limit his conversation to his Assistant Referees, but must integrate all of his officials during conversations, especially those who may initially be shy or uncomfortable with any stronger personalities within the team. I remember one particular instance, when the Referee and his Assistants' obviously knew each other very well - they talked and talked and talked before the game. But they completely ignored me - the poor Fourth Official who was trying to make himself noticed in the corner of the changing room. 

I felt unwanted. I felt as though my role was only ceremonial. I felt that I did not have anything particular to do
except throw on the replacement balls. I felt that my colleagues were not interested in me. I felt that I was inferior to them. I felt like going home. These feelings affected my approach to the game, and I was confused as to what my responsibilities were (if any). Should I approach the groundsman to ask him to turn on the lights when it begins to get dark, or will the Referee ask him? Do I look after the substitutions? Who replaces the Referee, if the Referee becomes injured? etc. etc. etc. 

Questions, questions questions. Needless to say, I did not enjoy the experience - but it has taught me the importance of integrating the team properly, particularly if one of the team is newly qualified, or is a youth Referee feeling his way in the game, or is just shy. 

The Referee and his Assistant Referees will enter the field of play together and move to centre spot for the 'tossing of the coin' ceremony. The Referee normally carries the match ball, introduces his colleagues to the team captains, and conducts the coin tossing.

In some competitions (and dependant on the Referees' pre-match briefing) the Fourth Official does not normally enter the field of play at the start of the game. Instead, he will be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the technical area are complied with before the game commences, and that the replacement balls are readily available. It is also important for the occupants of the technical area to be seated properly as soon as the game commences.  The Fourth Official should make a note of the time of kick-off in each half.

The Fourth Official would not normally make a final inspection of the nets before kick-off - this task is normally done by the Assistant Referees before they move to their touchlines in readiness for the start of the game.  During the game, the Fourth Official usually positions himself between the team benches. This allows him to keep an even view and control of both of the teams' substitutes and officials. It also serves to put a barrier between the benches, thus preventing incidents spiraling out of control. 

A useful man-management trick, is for the Fourth Official to approach each technical area before the game starts, and say something like the following: " Is everything OK? Let me know when you want to make a substitution, and enjoy the game." 

This allows the Fourth Official to let everyone know who he is, and to show that he is human, and approachable and in-charge !

The Fourth Official will very often have to take the jibing brunt from both sets of technical area occupants. He is the first official in the firing line of abuse and aggressive behavior emanating from the bench. A decision made by the Referee, or Assistant Referee on the field of play, can often be vented against the Fourth Official, who is a prime target for close combat!! 

The Fourth Official will invariably be angrily asked to explain the Referee's decisions during a game. It is of no use trying to explain any of the Referees decisions to irate managers - they only hear what they want to. The best method of approach is to try and pacify such shows of aggression, by allowing the aggressors a few moments to vent their steam. It must be remembered that football is a very passionate and emotive game - without those two facets, it would not be the game that it is.   

The Fourth Official should make a note of the kick-off time, and the relative position of the two Assistant Referees. He should also position himself to allow the Referee to see where he is standing. Try and make eye contact with the Referee - he may have left his coin or whistle in the dressing room, and you should be ready to help him. Keep a coin and a whistle and a watch on your person. 

The Referee is responsible for supervising the clearing of the field of play -   the Fourth Official can also help in this duty. The Referee should make eye contact with his Assistant Referees and the Fourth Official to ensure that everything is in readiness before he signals for the game to commence.  

The Fourth Official should make a note of the kick-off time. The Fourth Official should also start his stopwatch at the same time as the Referee starts the game. During the pre-match briefing, the Referee should have instructed the Fourth Official to either keep his watch running all the time, or to stop and start in conjunction with the Referee, thus keeping an accurate time for the duration of the half being played. It is advisable for the Fourth Official to have two stopwatches running. One that he allows to run continuously, and the other that he stops and starts in conduction with the actions of the Referee. This will ensure that, should the Fourth Official fail to restart his watch after a stoppage, the continuously running watch will at least save his blushes, should the Referee ask him for remaining time!

The Fourth Official is responsible for ensuring that the occupants of the technical area are settled down as soon as possible. And to identify exactly where the replacement balls are being stored. The Fourth Official should then take
a standing position between the benches, ensuring that both sets of managers and the Referee know exactly where he is. Do not stand directly in front of the benches, unless you want your head shouted off ! 

The Fourth Official's positioning throughout the match can be varied. But he should aim to stay in the designated Fourth Officials position, or in the same position unless he is performing a specific duty elsewhere. If a seat is available in this area, this can be used, but normally he should stand throughout the match - unless the Referee has told him otherwise. Remaining in the same standing position will allow the Referee to locate the Fourth Official quickly if required. If the Referee has delegated the Fourth Official to take over from him, should he sustain an injury, it is important for the Fourth Official to keep warm and move about - but not to block the view of the technical area occupants. 

The Fourth Official would not be expected to enter the field of play (apart from exceptional circumstances -  for example, to prevent a manager or substitute attacking another player on the field of play). 

The Fourth Official's position should generally be near the technical area - but he can (if circumstances warrant it) walk all the way around the field of play. For example, he may need to warn substitutes warming up in a prohibited area near one of the corner flags. If the Fourth Official sees a violent conduct offence that has been missed by the other officials, he may need walk along the touchline to gain the Assistant Referee's attention - to enable that Assistant Referee to signal the Referee. 

The Fourth Official is responsible for the following: 

Although the safety of the players must always be the main priority, concerns have been expressed about the loss of playing time caused by the assessment of injuries to players, and their removal from the field of play. Referees must add the full amount of time lost at the end of each period of play, for  stoppages due to injury treatment and for any other delays in play. An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted. Keep alert and deal with players leaving and re-entering the field of play either to adjust their equipment, or when they have bleeding injuries or blood on their uniform.

If (in his  pre-match instruction) the Referee has given the responsibility for checking players re-entering to the Fourth Official, the Fourth Official can decide when the equipment or bleeding has been properly dealt with. He can signal the Referee himself, when a player is ready to re-enter the field of play (or he can ask the nearest Assistant Referee to signal the Referee on his behalf. The return of players into the field of play should be done as soon as possible, and when the Referee has signaled a suitable moment for re-entry. Players should not be allowed back on the field of play until the Referee has beckoned them on by a clear signal, and only after play has been restarted. 

If the Referee specifically wants to take the responsibility of checking the players himself, then the Fourth Official should signal to the Referee when the player is ready to be checked prior to re-entry.

Players who have left the field of play to have their equipment adjusted, are only allowed to re-enter during a stoppage in play. (See Law 4)

Players who have left the field of play to be treated for an injury, can re-enter on the Referee's signal during play, but the returning player must enter along one of the touchlines - he is not allowed to enter along the goal line (unless play is stopped).

When an injury occurs, the Fourth Official should prevent team officials (or the technical area occupants) from rushing onto the field of play without the Referee's permission. Use gentle persuasion to achieve this. The trainer should only come onto the field of play after receiving a signal from the Referee. Use discretion when small children are concerned, and do not be over-officious if trainers or parents rush onto the field of play to comfort a small child. 

To prevent unnecessary aggravation prior to sorting out problems (such as requesting substitutes to warm up in a different area), the Fourth Official can engage the help of the team manager or coach, rather  than directly approach the substitutes himself. If there is undue interference or improper conduct by the Fourth Official, the Referee will relieve him of his duties and make a report to the appropriate authorities. 

Be prepared to deal with substitution requests at any time during the game. The Fourth Official can be delegated the task of checking the players equipment before entry onto the field of play.  Organize and control all substitutions. Make a note of all proceedings. Check the substitutes' equipment before they enter the field of play on the halfway line. If their equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, the Fourth Official must inform the Referee, who will take the appropriate action. The Senior Assistant Referee is normally responsible for indicating to the Referee when a team wishes to make a substitution. But where a Fourth Official is available, this responsibility could be shared between the Fourth Official, and the Assistant Referee.

Check that the substitutes have been named on the official listings before being allowed onto the field of play.  If both teams are making substitutions at the same time, keep the substitutes on their respective technical area sides. If display boards are available, use them to show the number of the player leaving the field of play, and the number of the substitute player entering the field of play. Only allow the substitute to enter the field of play, after the exiting player has left it.

Monitor substitutes when they are warming up - particularly if they are near (and interfering with) one of the Assistant Referees.

Prevent and deal with anyone (particularly substitutes) who interferes with the match officials. 

The Fourth Official should monitor the vacation of both of the technical area (or benches) occupants, and ensure that no confrontation takes place whilst players are making their way to the changing rooms. After gathering any equipment (records, sign boards etc), and checking that the match ball is in the possession of the Referee, the Fourth Official should wait on the side of the field of play (unless the exit to the changing rooms is on the far side) and join the other match Officials before making his way to the officials' changing room as a team to discuss any match points and compare records. 

Before the commencement of the second half, the Fourth Official should position himself between the technical areas (or benches) in good time to monitor return of the occupants. He is also responsible for managing and notifying to the Referee, any substitutions being made during the half-time interval. 

Substitutes entering the field of play at the start of the second half, should wait at the half-way line with the Fourth Official, before being ushered onto the field of play after receiving the Referee's signal. The Fourth Official should also note in his records, the particulars of those players who have been substituted. 

If extra time or the 'Golden Goal' is to be played, the Fourth Official should remind the occupants of the Technical area of the requirements of these periods of play. Prior to arriving at the game, the Fourth Official must make himself conversant with the competition rules for each game, and assist the Referee in ensuring that any transition between full time to extra time (or Golden Goal)  is made in an organized way. 

During kicks from the penalty mark, the Fourth Official can assist in ensuring that substitutes and team officials do not enter the field of play. He should also make a note of which players have taken kicks, and keep a result of the score (just in case the Referee gets in a muddle).  

The Fourth Official should once again, monitor the vacation of both of the technical area (or bench) occupants, and ensure that no confrontation takes place whilst players are making their way to the changing rooms. He should wait on the side of the field of play (unless the exit is on the far side) and join the other match Officials before making his way to the officials' changing room as a team to discuss any final match points and compare records.

In some cases, the Fourth Official will ensure that the match balls have been recovered. The Referee will compare match notes with the Fourth Official and his Assistant Referees, to ensure that no match details have been missed. 

Ensure that all of the equipment under the responsibility of the Fourth Official is gathered and returned to the correct place. Retrieve any balls if necessary - including the match ball (if this is not already under the control of the Referee). Join the Referee and the Assistant Referees as soon as possible, and do not get involved with players or team officials attempting to discuss match incidents. 

Check and confirm match records with the Referee and the Assistant Referees in the confines of the officials' changing room. If there are any incidents that the other officials have missed, these must be imparted to the Referee for inclusion in the match report. 

The Fourth Official should participate fully in any after-match discussions between the officials and any assessor. Review of post-match incidents is essential to team fulfillment and understanding. The match officials should stay together as a team until they leave the stadium or the ground. This will lessen the chances of being singled out and abused or harangued by irate players and team officials.

Courtesy Julian Carosi