Assistantrefereeflagsignals

Law 6 - The Assistant Referee

Signals and Mechanics

‘Attention Referee!’ The Basic Assistant Referee Signal

1. Come to a complete ‘stop’

2. Make ‘eye contact’ with the referee

3. Raise the flag straight up with the hand furthest from the referee

4. Follow with an additional signal if required - (Offside, throw in etc). Keep the flag raised if you need the referee to come over

Is used for the following:

• To indicate that the ball has completely crossed the touchline or goal line - followed by the appropriate signal

• To indicate that a player may be penalized for being in an offside position - followed by the appropriate signal

• To get the referee’s attention for any other reason

‘Attention Referee!’ The Basic Assistant Referee Signal

‘Throw In’ Showing the ‘direction’

1. Come to a complete ‘stop’

2. Make ‘eye contact’ with the referee

3. Hold the flag at 45˚ in the direction that the team to take the throw is playing

4. Hold the signal for a ‘count’ of three to allow everyone, including the referee, to see your signal

‘Corner Kick’

1. Come to a complete ‘stop’

2. Make ‘eye contact’ with the referee

3. Hold the flag at 45˚ pointing down to the corner flag. There is no need to look at the flag! 4. Hold the signal for a ‘count’ of 3

to allow everyone, including the referee, to see your signal

‘Goal Kick’

1. Come to a complete ‘stop’

2. Make ‘eye contact’ with the referee

3. Turn and face upfield to center.

5. Hold the signal for a ‘count’ of 3 to allow everyone, including the referee, to see your signal

4. Point the flag towards the goal area

‘Offside’

1. Come to a complete ‘stop’

2. Make ‘eye contact’ with the referee

3. Raise the flag straight up with the

hand furthest from the referee4. When the referee has stopped play, give one of the followingsignals:

‘Offside’ Near side of the field

1. Lower the flag to 45˚ pointingdown in front of you

2. Hold the signal until the referee acknowledges your signal

3. Hold your position to help with the location of the restart

‘Offside’ Middle of the field

1. Lower the flag to horizontalpointing across field

2. Hold the signal until the referee acknowledges your signal

3. Hold your position to help with the location of the restart

‘Offside’ Far side of the field

1. Lower the flag to 45˚pointing up and across field

2. Hold the signal until the referee acknowledges your signal

3. Hold your position to help with the location of the restart

‘Substitution’

1. Wait for an appropriatestoppage in play

2. Make eye contact with the referee

3. Hold the flag by the handle and the tip with both arms straight up. Don’t hold the material of the flag!

4. Lower the flag when the referee has acknowledged the signal

‘Mechanics’ Eye Contact

Good eye contact with the referee is important

• It makes you look like a team

• It avoids ‘crossed signals’

• You can anticipate what signal the referee needs

• What’s wrong with this picture?

• What should he have done?

‘Mechanics’Switching Hands

If the flag is not in the appropriate hand for the signal

• Switch hands in front of the body, not above your head

• This looks more professional

• And there is less chance of giving a confusing signal

‘Mechanics & Signals’ Summary

• Stop before giving signals

• Make ‘eye contact’ with the referee

• Give a correct, sharp signal

• Hold the signal for a count of three, or until the referee acknowledges the signal