Question Number: 22773

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 1/30/2010

RE: Other

Todd of Houston, TX USA asks...

I've always wondered, or heard and have forgotten, what would be the difference in AR mechanics and signaling between situation 1) a player is in an offside position even with the 6-yard line, but just outside the goal area, gets involved in play by receiving the ball right on the goal line, and in the next second the ball goes completely over the goal line and reenters the field with play continuing, and situation 2) where the aforementioned player was not offside, but the ball leaves and returns to the field as mentioned above.

It seems to me that in both situations the AR would follow the ball to the goal line, raise the flag, wait for the whistle, make eye contact with the Referee, point the flag horizontally toward the goal (and then briefly take a position even with the 6-yard line?).

How would the mechanics be different to indicate the IFK in 1 and the GK in 2?

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

Referee Todd

You have raised a very good procedural question.

An AR will rise the flag straight up to indicate that the ball has left the field of play (out then quickly back in) or to indicate that a player has committed an offside infraction. The AR then points towards the goal area with the flag held parallel to the ground to indicate a goal kick restart, and for an offside infraction in the middle of the field (side to side) uses the same signal.


However, there is a subtle difference. For the Goal Kick, the AR merely points to the goal area and then drops the flag. However, for the IFK, the AR continues to point towards the proper location of the restart and does not drop the flag until the ball is properly placed for the restart.

Even with that, as you note, it may be difficult for the referee to determine, merely from the flag signals, whether the restart is a goal kick or an indirect free kick.

At the pro level, they have electronic communication so the AR would merely 'whisper in the referee's ear'. But most of us are not so fortunate.

There are two major differences between the IFK and the GK from the defender's end of the field:
A team mate of the kicker for a GK may be in an offside position. While he may not for an IFK
Also, in many high school and college games, the teams may substitute at a goal kick but not at an IFK. (Even many youth leagues in the USA have that league rule).

So, as the AR I would signal appropriately with the flag, but then while making eye contact with the referee as the referee blows the whistle: YELL: 'OFFSIDE INFRACTION' while still holding the flag horizontally to indicate the proper place for the restart.

Essentially, I want to get the referee's attention that his signal will be the raised arm indicating an IFK. I don't need to say or indicate anything if the restart is a goal kick, other than to alert the referee if there are substitutes waiting in a high school, college, or in many USA youth leagues (and many amateur adult leagues as well).

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The signal looks the same. I agree with Ref Stagliano- if the call is offside but the context makes it unclear, the AR will have to say it is offside.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

This is what pregame discussions are for! The referee may not have thought of this and your question will allow the referee team to decide how to proceed in such a situation, because as you note, the signals are virtually the same, but the restart is not.

Some may ask the AR to simply raise the hand without the flag up to the shoulder in a tiny version of the IDFK signal (arm is not raised) so as to indicate it was offside and not a GK. Others may have a different subtle signal for the AR to use. But you won't know unless you ask. Make it a part of your own pregame, as it will educate others.

And, if the referee doesn't have a good answer or won't tell the AR what to do, then as my colleagues suggest, the AR will have to get the referee's attention and let him know.

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

See Question: 23260