[Positioning] The referee's running on a counter-attack, and the assistant referee keeping the line with side-steps

There are two things to look at in this scene: the referee's running and the assistant referee's movement. The referee's running needs no explanation; it is outstanding. With Kawasaki players joining the attack and Chiba players recovering towards their own half, the referee is by far the quickest of them all. It is the kind of movement that comes only from training in order to be able to deal with fast counter-attacks by the players. Next, the assistant referee. As well as the excellent running on the counter-attack, look at how thoroughly they use side-steps in the final phase where the judgement has to be made. An assistant referee is in principle required to stay square to the line in order to judge offside. If they are not square to the line, they cannot make a correct decision. On the initial counter-attack, running is of course the only way to keep up. What often happens, however, is that an official keeps following the line at a light jog even in the final phase, and this can occasionally be seen among amateur match officials. The assistant referee in this scene caught up properly, held the line, and then kept the line by taking side-steps. Doing the obvious things as a matter of course: this is a scene that makes you think of a true professional.