Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
An off-field official in football who reviews video replays to help the on-field referee correct clear and obvious errors in key match situations.
VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee.
Definition
The video assistant referee (VAR) is an official, supported by assistants and replay operators, who watches match footage from a video operation room and communicates with the on-field referee. VAR is designed to intervene only for clear and obvious errors, or serious missed incidents, in four categories: goals and the build-up to them, penalty decisions, direct red-card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity.
When a possible error is flagged, the referee may accept the VAR's advice or view the footage personally at a pitchside monitor before making the final decision, which remains the referee's own. The system aims to reduce match-changing mistakes without stopping play for marginal judgement calls. VAR is specific to football; other sports use their own review technologies, such as cricket's Decision Review System or tennis electronic line-calling.
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Officiating
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- UmpireA match official who rules on lines, serves and dismissals in racket, bat-and-ball and net sports such as tennis, cricket and baseball — and, in racket sports, also keeps the running score.
- TimekeeperThe timekeeper is the official who runs a contest's clock — starting and stopping time, timing rounds, races and periods, and signalling when time expires.
- Line JudgeA boundary-line official who calls whether the ball or player is in or out and flags foot faults, working under the head referee across many sports.
- AdvantageIn many sports, officials let play continue after a foul when stopping would help the offender, so the fouled team keeps the advantage it has gained.
Rules
- Yellow and red cardsThe disciplinary cards a football referee shows to caution or send off a player for misconduct.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Throw-inThe method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
Equipment
- Shin guardsProtective pads worn over the shins in football and other field sports.
- Football boots (cleats)Studded footwear that grips the pitch for football and other field sports.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Mountain bikeA rugged bicycle built to handle rough, off-road terrain.
- Hockey stickA curved-headed stick used to control, pass and shoot the ball or puck in hockey.
Skills
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- MarkingThe defensive skill of staying close to an opponent to limit their space and options.
- CatchingThe skill of cleanly securing a ball travelling through the air or off the ground.
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
Techniques
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Inside-of-the-Foot PassThe most reliable short pass in football, played with the inside surface of the foot for accuracy over a short to medium distance.
- Badminton ClearAn overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep to the opponent's back court, resetting the rally or buying time.
- Volleyball DigA defensive contact that keeps a hard-driven ball in play by passing it up off the forearms, usually from a low position.
- Flip TurnA fast turn in freestyle where the swimmer somersaults at the wall, pushes off on their back and rotates to continue swimming.
Decision making
- Reading spaceSeeing where space is — and is not — on the field or court, and using it to decide where to move, pass or play.
- Positioning choicesDeciding where to place yourself — often before the ball arrives — to cover space, stay ready to act and shape what an opponent can do.
- When to attackRecognising the moment to commit to an attacking action — spotting an opening and judging whether it is the right time to take it.
- Transition decisionsThe choices made at the moment a situation flips — winning or losing the ball, and switching between attack and defence.