Question Number: 16060

Mechanics 7/17/2007

RE: rec, select, competitive Adult

rob of woodbridge, ontario canada asks...

my question deals with proper mechanics regarding hand signals. for example, i am also a basketball official and we have certain hand signals when ball is out of play or foul occurs. i know none of that exists for soccer but what im referring to is the following. when you make a call i.e. handball, it is a direct kick, i have seen refs keep hand forward until ball is touched and for indirect straight up until second touch of ball but i have also seen refs make call and drop hand before it is kicked. is there a right or wrong way? also when you call a foul i point with one arm where the spot of the foul is and with the other arm indicate direct or indirect. some refs move onto the spot with the1r feet and indicate direct or indirect. again does this matter which way? finally if there are any resources you can direct me to it would be greatly appreciated. i am being evaluated soon and would like to advance my reffing career so i want to learn everything i can regarding proper mechanics. i am my own biggest critic and am always looking to improve.

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

Right, first thing is first...you are becoming a referee so use the terms correctly... Nowhere in the laws of the game is the word 'handball' used. It is 'deliberately handling the ball'.

To signal a direct freekick, I blow my whistle using different intonation depending on the severity of the foul, and point, with my arm straight out the direction of the kick. Once my arm has been there for a couple of seconds and all have knowledge of which way I have awarded the kick and then drop my arm

For an Indirect freekick that I am awarding for say playing in a dangerous manner rather than offside I would signal the same as for a direct freekick and then raise my hand above my head signalling that the kick is indirect. this must be left up until the ball touches another player on the fireld, indicating a goal may now be scored.

Singalling is covered in the back of the laws of the game book.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Wow. Jon is right. As a new referee, you absolutely must learn the correct terminology, if for no other reason than the impression (not good) you leave when you use the wrong word (like sideline instead of touchline!).
There is help, though. Jon mentions the signals printed in the back of the Laws of the Game. Some countries don't print it all so your version may not contain it. However you can always find the most current version online at FIFA's website which I heartily recommend.
I would also recommend for light reading the USSF's publication titled "Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials". Here is the link: http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/GuidetToProc0607.pdf

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Hand signals are used to convey a decision taken to the players and spectators. In this Game they are simple and straight forward AND allow the referee some latitude in his style of conveying his decision. There are two kinds of free kicks so there must be two signals to differentiate what type of kick has been awarded. There are two sides to which a free kick must be awarded as well.

Remember Football is a simple Game! In that light the signals are simple. The direction of a free kick is established by the direction the referee points with his arm. That arm may be at a 45 degree angle above the horizontal OR parallel to the ground, it makes no difference. Once the referee has pointed the direction of the kick he needs to tell everyone present if a goal may be scored directly from that free kick and that is done my NOT raising an arm. Again, simple. If the referee determines the type of free kick awarded is one where a goal may not be scored until the ball touches another player he must indicate that to the players, he does so by holding an arm upright until the ball touches another player. Simple!

There are times when a referee MUST drop his "indirect signal" before he should. The first is when he needs to position himself at pace, this can't be done with an arm over his head. Very rare, this -- but when it is needed DO IT. Second is when the ball crosses a field boundary. That's it, simple.

Notice I never did mention pointing to the spot of the foul. Don't!!! Establish the point of the foul by moving to it. Do this for the first fouls in the match so the players will expect you to me moving in that direction every time. This "creates the illusion" you will be at the point of every foul. This prevents retaliation when a foul is given. When the players stop expecting you to be at the point of the foul start moving there again until they are retrained.

Regards,