Question Number: 13862

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 9/21/2006

RE: rec Adult

alex of richmond hill, on canada asks...

The AR spot an infringment on one end of the field while the ball ,and most players and referee are on the other end. The AR raises the flag but the referee did not see the flag as he is focused on the play on the other end.
What action should the AR take to alarm the CR besides keeping the flag up? Should the AR shout, go into the FOP, etc?
When should the AR lower the flag?
Does the rule "CR cannot change his decision after restart" applies here? The AR raised the flag while the ball is still in play and any subsequent restart for throw in, goal kick, DFK, etc does not seem to apply to the incidence when the AR spot an infringment. If the CR cannot act on the AR flag after a subsequent restart, then it appears logical for the AR to lower the flag after the subsequent restart.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Alex this depends on what it is the AR saw. If it's something serious that needs the CR's attention immediately the AR needs to do whatever he has to to get the referee's attention. This is a good example of why ARs should mirror each other. That way the other AR would raise his flag and the center would see it. If the referee has stopped play and you need to get his attention before play resatrs, again, do what is needed. If the incident observed is not critical and play has restarted then lower the flag.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If it needs to be dealt with RIGHT NOW you should raise the flag. Referees in the professional leagues have the buzzer or, these days, voice communications for just the reason you state. Down in the trenches we have only the flag, we raise it, the other assistant raises his and we get the referee's attention in that manner -- unless what we see needs IMMEDIATE attention and he doesn't see the flag. Then YELL your head off, both of you. If what you see can wait until the next stoppage then don't raise the flag and at the next stoppage get the referee's attention by any possible means [knowing some referees need to be hit with kit bags to gain their attention].

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

First off both ARS should mirror each other so that the referee sees the flag. Next the severity of the foul or misconduct that the referee saw should impact how long before he puts the flag down. If it is something serious that flag needs to stay up. AR should do whatever it takes to get referees attention.