Question Number: 28351

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 4/19/2014

RE: High School

Scott of Santa Rita, Guam USA asks...

Greetings;
As an AR, what is the proper signal to the CR when a player takes a goal kick and they did not place the ball correctly on the line? Thank you. I raised my flag straight up to get the attention of the CR and once he acknowledged my signal I pointed for a goal kick. He looked at me kind of crazy and confused but eventually got what I was indicating but still made us both not look good. Did I make the wrong call?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
There is no defined signal for a procedure infringement such as this. I communicate with the goalkeeper, when I'm looking at the placement, in the same way as a referee would instruct so as to prevent it happening. If it is prevented with a shout " Goalkeeper ball inside the goal area please" it does not then need the flag.
If the flag needs to be raised I find that when it is accompanied by a shout such as 'Placement' and it is done at the moment the GK has stepped back from the ball that deals with the situation. One hopes that the CR is looking in the direction of the goal area as he can be looking elsewhere or distracted by players who are questioning the original decision etc.
I also only flag very obvious procedure infringements. Is a few inches to the side of the goal area going to make a difference.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Scott: it is rarely necessary to involve the referee. The infringement is usually a matter of inches, so a warning to the keeper will suffice. But, if you need to involve the referee, raise the flag. (Some give it a wiggle like a foul to indicate an infringement, but IMO that does not provide clear information to the referee). When the referee stops play, you'll need to explain (probably with voice) why the ball was never put into play properly.