Question Number: 15556

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 5/21/2007

RE: select Other

Steve of Indianapolis, IN USA asks...

I have been told that the AR should normally hold their flag down by their side closest to the CR...generally side closest to the halfway line. Is this the case?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That is the mechanic for AR's. It was much more important back when we all wore solid black uniforms - the flag was a spot of color the ref could use to see where the AR was. Now that we have the bright yellow jersey as our primary color, it's not nearly as hard to keep track of referees - except in those games where we're wearing the black alternate uniform. So it's a good habit to get into.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You literally want to think of it as holding the flag in the hand that the referee can see best, at all times.

Most often the flag will be in your left hand. That is while running toward the goal line or doing any side stepping. The referee will be to your left 99.9% of the time.

Keep it in your right hand when you are running toward the halfway line (not side stepping) as having it in the left makes it impossible for the referee to see the flag through your body.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15584