Question Number: 18142

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 12/15/2007

RE: Rec Under 16

Alexander of Kursk, Russia asks...

What is (electronic) beep? I didn't understand the meaning of this term. Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You are probably referring to the electronic flags used by some assistant referees. The center referee wears a device that works much like a phone pager. It will beep or vibrate when one of the AR's pushes the button on the flag. It gives the referee notice that the AR is signalling something, which can be valuable if the AR is not in the center's line of sight.

I think usual practice is to have them set on silent mode, so the players around the referee don't hear it. But they are still commonly called beeper flags.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

There are flags that have a trigger on the handle which sends a signal to the referee. The signal causes a detector strapped to the referee to "beep" or vibrate electronically. This lets the referee know that the AR has spotted an infringement.

Usually you want to use this in conjunction with the standard mechanics, and remember that the beep, like any other signal the AR may give is merely advice and the referee must choose whether or not to accept it.