Question Number: 25065

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 6/6/2011

RE: Rec Adult

Ed of Bowmanville, On, Canada asks...

As an assistant referee, if I am unsure which team caused the ball to cross the touch line or goal line, should I raise the flag straight up and hold that position regardless as opposed to signalling for throw in, goal kick or corner kick?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ed
Yes the AR should raise the flag straight up to signal that the ball has gone out of play and re-enters immediately. The AR should then make eye contact with the CR and he will probably have a good idea of what the decision should be. If the CR points the direction of the throw in simply follow his signal. In the case of the ball going over the goal line with it re-entering immediately again the flag goes up, the AR make eye contact and follow the CR's signal either by pointing to the corner flag or for the goal kick.
If you want to give the CR an indication of who touched the ball last when there is no doubt that the ball is out of play the AR can put the flag in the hand at waist level that he feels is the direction the TI should be awarded and then raise it if the CR agrees with that.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When the ball clearly has gone out of play, there is no need for a flag. Instead, give a hard stare at the referee. This indicates 'I have no clue.'

Then, follow the referee's lead. If the referee gives no direction (her eyes says 'me neither'), the assistant referee should then signal direction. My preference, when we have no clue, is to indicate a throw-in for the defense.

The time for a flag straight up is when the ball has left and then immediately reentered the field of play. The flag up indicates "stop play!" Then, use eye contact as discussed above.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Good advice given above. Remember, in most cases there is really no rush or need to signal direction quickly (primary exception when the ball goes out then back in quickly in which case the straight up flag is appropriate). In most cases there is PLENTY of time to connect with the referee and 'work things out'. It is most often when we rush that we create problems for ourselves as referees. All the best,