Question Number: 25007

Mechanics 5/24/2011

Steve of Stockton, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24979

What are the AR's mechanics in making this call? Wait for involvement, raise the flag vertically, wait for referee's acknowledgement/whistle, then lower flag and sprint back upfield to the proper location before bringing the flag to horizontal to indicate placement for the restart? I assume we don't want ARs running up the touchline with flag raised, Statue of Liberty-style...

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Almost.

The correct mechanics are:
- raise flag (look at referee and wait for whistle)
- on whistle, lower flag to indicate offside player was near, middle or far side
- lower flag
- move along touchline to indicate correct location of restart

USSF answer (January 7, 2009)

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Definitely do not run around with the flag raised! The USSF Guide to Procedures says to raise the flag, wait for acknowledgement and whistle from referee, indicate whether near side, far side or center of the field, and then move to the correct location for the restart.

I would recommend talking to the referee about this particular mechanic in the pregame, so you are all on the same page. The referee should know to watch what you do after the indication in order to know where the ball is to be placed. Most of us get a bit lazy about this, and tend to just let it get placed wherever the AR was when they raised the flag. That is not proper procedure and may disadvantage the offended team unfairly.

Thanks for helping us get the word out!