Question Number: 23351

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 5/21/2010

RE: Rec, Competitive Adult

David James of Tallahassee, Florida US asks...

What is the correct procedure for an AR to signal: A PK foul that only the AR sees in the penalty box; A foul that the Center calls in the penalty box and looks for AR confirmation, IDK or PK?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The USSF publishes on its website a Guide To Procedures that addresses signals by the assistant referee. Your question involves one additional signal that is used in the United States but not (as best as I know) internationally.

To indicate a penalty kick unseen by the referee, the assistant begins with the standard signal for the foul. Flag up. Eye contact with the referee. When the referee whistles, the AR waves the flag. The additional step: the flag is held waist level, parallel to the ground (like a substitution signal but at the waist). As the Referee indicates a penalty kick, the AR walks toward the corner flag.

When the referee calls a foul but looks for assistance as to the location inside or outside the penalty area, the same flag signal (waist high, parallel to ground) indicates a foul inside the penalty area.

There is no special signal for the assistant referee to indicate an indirect free kick foul. But, if the assistant waves the flag, indicates direction, but does not use the penalty kick flag or walk to the corner flag, the referee knows it must not be a penalty kick. The referee may confer with the assistant referee to confirm the offense and restart. Outside the penalty area, the assistant referee must indicate (usually by voice) the foul (e.g., impeding) so that the referee signals an IFK.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee James
Referee Wickham has given the signal advice which is unique to the US.
The recognised FIFA signal is covered in the Laws of the Game
'When a foul is committed inside the penalty area out of the vision of the referee, especially if near to the assistant referee's position, the assistant referee must first make eye contact with the referee to see where the referee is positioned and what action he has taken. If the referee has not taken any action, the assistant referee must raise his flag and then visibly move down the touch line towards the corner flag.'
Many associations suggest a 'fluttering flag' when raised or if using electronic flags to beep. If it is not a penalty the AR raises the flag and he does not move.
In the UK it has become accepted practise to place the flag across the chest after the raised flag.
The important part is that both the referee and AR know what the flag signal means and that it has been discussed in the pre match discussion.