What Are the Key Responsibilities of a Soccer Linesman During a Match?
Watching that nail-biting finish between SGA and the Frank Lao-owned team in Dubai, I couldn’t help but fixate on the officials working the sidelines. With just 17 seconds left, Omar Abada’s split from the play opened a tiny window—one last shot at overtime. But when Rhenz Abando’s attempt missed, the game ended not just on that failed shot, but on a series of split-second judgments made across the field. As someone who’s spent years covering sports at various levels, I’ve always believed that while everyone watches the ball, the real drama often unfolds off it—especially in the work of the linesman. What are the key responsibilities of a soccer linesman during a match? It’s a question that doesn’t get asked enough, even though their calls—or non-calls—can define games just as much as a striker’s finish.
Let’s rewind for a moment. In that Dubai match, the sequence leading up to Abando’s miss wasn’t just about one player’s error. It began with positioning, movement off the ball, and a handful of borderline offside situations earlier in the half. I remember thinking, if one of those tight calls had gone the other way, maybe the final 17 seconds wouldn’t have mattered at all. That’s the thing about officiating—it’s cumulative. A linesman’s primary job might seem simple: watch for offside, signal throw-ins and goal kicks, and assist the center referee. But in reality, it’s a role built on anticipation, angles, and nerve. I’ve spoken with referees who’ve worked continental tournaments, and they often say a good linesman doesn’t just follow the ball—they read the game two passes ahead.
Take the offside rule, for example. It’s one of the most misunderstood aspects of football, and honestly, I think even seasoned fans struggle with it sometimes. The linesman has to track the second-to-last defender, the ball, and the attacking players—all while moving in sync with the last line of defense. Get it wrong, and you’ve either killed a beautiful attacking move or handed a team an unfair advantage. I still recall a match I covered in Manchester last year where the assistant referee flagged three offsides in the first half—all correct, all barely noticeable in real time. That kind of precision isn’t luck; it’s a skill honed through repetition and an almost obsessive focus. And in high-stakes moments, like those final seconds in Dubai, that focus becomes everything.
But it’s not just about offside. Think about throw-ins and corner kicks. In the Dubai game, there were at least 42 throw-ins in the second half alone—I counted, because I’m a bit obsessive that way. Each one required a quick, clear decision from the linesman. And when a ball deflects off a player near the touchline under pressure, making the right call isn’t always black and white. I’ve seen linesmen get yelled at for awarding a throw to the wrong team—sometimes deservedly, sometimes not. But what’s fascinating is how these small decisions add up. A throw-in deep in opposition territory can lead to a cross, a chance, a goal. It’s like a domino effect, and the linesman is the one setting up the pieces.
Then there’s the assistive role—supporting the center referee on fouls, misconduct, and incidents outside their immediate line of sight. In the closing moments of the SGA game, when Abada made that split, the linesman on the near side had to be alert not just for offside, but for any infraction that might have occurred as players jostled for space. It’s a lot to process, especially when the crowd is roaring and players are appealing for every little thing. I remember one assistant referee telling me that during intense sequences, he blocks out everything except the movement of the players and the sound of the referee’s whistle. Everything else is noise.
Of course, not everyone appreciates the linesman’s contribution. I’ve heard fans dismiss them as “flag bearers,” but that’s a shallow take. In modern football, with VAR now in the mix, the linesman’s role has evolved, not diminished. They’re the first line of visual defense, so to speak. And when technology isn’t available—like in many lower-tier leagues or youth matches—their judgment is the only thing standing between fair play and chaos. Even with VAR, initial calls from the linesman often set the tone for what gets reviewed. It’s a huge responsibility, and honestly, I think they’re underpaid for the grief they take.
Looking back at the Dubai match, it’s easy to blame Rhenz Abando’s miss for the loss. But I keep thinking about the offside call that wasn’t made minutes earlier, or the throw-in that might have been given the other way. What are the key responsibilities of a soccer linesman during a match? They’re not just about rules—they’re about rhythm, fairness, and sometimes, changing the fate of a game without ever touching the ball. Next time you watch a match, try watching the officials for a few minutes. You might just see the game in a whole new light.