Question Number: 17049

Mechanics 10/2/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

David Bogosian of Glendale, CA USA asks...

Sometimes the AR will raise his flag for offside, but I as the center referee will judge that the play does not warrant a stoppage because the offending player was not involved in play or gaining an advantage. How should I signal to the AR that (a) yes, I have seen your flag but (b) no, I am not going to stop play, and (c) you should lower your flag now?

The only thing that comes to mind is with the two hands pushing forward, palms out, as in "play on" for the advantage rule. But this is not, technically speaking, advantage.

Thanks in advance.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Generally, most referees will simply use one arm, hand down and make the down motion from about shoulder height, meaning "Put your flag down." Next they will or should give you a thumbs up, which means "Thank you for your information, but I've seen something to change that decision." If you are unfamiliar with the AR, it is always a good thing to cover in your pre-game instructions. You do give a pre-game, right?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Just wave it off with a "Thanks, Dave" Talk about it later. In your prematch you must make sure the assistants don't take a wave-off as something personal. They advise, you decide.

Law 6 tells the assistant he is supposed to indicate when a player is to be penalized for offside.

Law 5 tells you to act on the advice of a neutral assistant. When you blow, play advantage or wave-off the advice you are acting on that advice.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Don't use the advantage signal except for giving advantage. I usually shake my head and wave my hand. I always go over this with new ARs at our pregame.

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

If you have seen something and judged that offside can't be called then all of the above are good ways. Wave down flag, followed by a thumbs up and a thank you. Then discuss later. You have seen something that has effected a non call and therefore this is not advantage. However, if your AR signals offside and it was indeed offside but posession has fallen to defensive and you are happy for play to continue, then an advantage signal will be used, quickly followed by an acknowlegement to your AR to say thanks, spot on, well play the advantage. At which point your AR should lower their flag

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Editor's note: In the USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game precludes playing advantage on all but Law 12 violations. Again this may be attributed to USSF's error of calling an offence a foul, then believing without a foul there can't be advantage.