Question Number: 14703

Kicks From The Penalty mark 1/17/2007

RE: Recreational Under 16

Dave Eberle of Clarkston, WA USA asks...

Topic: AR Mechanics for Kicks from the Penalty Mark

What would be a good subtle signal for the AR (at the intersection of the goal area and goal line)to advise the referee when a) the goal is valid and b) there was illegal goalkeeper forward movement before the kick?

Thank you for being such a great resource to the soccer community!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This depends on the pre game or pre kicks from the mark instructions from the referee. Usually a flag up means there was a problem of some sort so the AR usually will put the flag up if the keeper moved in front early.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Dave,
My colleague is correct this should be covered in the pregame!
Generally the AR stands quietly at the intersection of the `18 yard PA/goaline, makes eye contact with the referee and a side step over the goal line into the FOP is the silent signal he moved too early off the goal line and should be retaken. If the AR remains standing there after a goal is scored or missed he is indicatijng something is wrong! Because if the goal is good the AR begins to back up to the touchline and move up the touchline to take the kick off position!
No words but everything crystal clear!
Cheers
PS
While I just realized, as no kick off is going to occur and no encroachment by players , thanks to Ref Fleischer's remarks my information is more for Pks during the match not KFTPM to decide a match. The point about silent communication is the referee takes responsibility for the decision and simply uses the information the AR provides as he sees fit! I misread the initial question. my bad! Cheers again

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

While Ref Mueller and Ref Dawson's remarks are true for a penalty kick I tend to disagree this is what we should be doing during Kicks From The Mark.

This is a very static situation and few things need to be watched, the assistant is responsible for the ball across the goal line and only that because it's so important. He can be troubled with nothing else. That leaves the kicker doing something stupid and the keeper moving off his line early to the other two/three sets of eyes present.

The referee may elect to watch them himself or leave the kicker to the assistant on the halfway line. I think this is not a good idea. It is far easier a thing for the referee to do. What's left is the keeper moving off his line and this day and age WHO CARES? If a referee pulls the keeper up for movement he is probably the only referee in the world, that day, who does catches it -- he looks like an over officious zealot who has no clue about what the players, spectators and commentators seem to think is right. The Law requires someone to watch because it is wrong to come forward before the ball is hit. Let it be the referee who notices and makes the decision, after all it's his match, his decision and his reputation showing.

Regards,