Strategic field positioning for soccer referees

Good positioning is crucial for effective refereeing in soccer. Here are some tips on strategic positioning.

Stay on the move

On average, a referee should run between 7 and 10 km per match, always with the aim of ideally being within a 10 m radius of the action. Stay active and mobile to follow the game closely and make the best decisions possible.

Anticipate the Game

Learn to anticipate actions to be in the right place at the right time. If a player does not have direct pressure, take advantage of this moment to look at the positioning of the other players, the calls made and thus better move to the place where you think the game will take place.

Angle of View

Sometimes, despite our best movements and a proper reading of the game, something unexpected happens and you are not close enough to the action to make the right decision. In these cases, finding the angle of view becomes your priority (more important than getting closer to the game) to get an unobstructed view of the action taking place. Use a mix of running and chasing steps to get a clear view of key actions.

By adopting strategic positioning, you can better monitor the game and make accurate decisions.