Question Number: 17578

Mechanics 10/28/2007

RE: AYSO Under 17

Bob Strangeway of Los Angeles, California USA asks...

As an AR how do you distinguish between offside in the center of the field and a goal kick for a ball that leaves and then re-enters the field over the goal line (e.g., when a forward cuts the ball back after it has crossed the goal line)? My read of the USSF Guide to Procedures has a very similar mechanic. In both cases it appears that you raise the flag, wait for eye contact, and then either indicate the location of the restart on the field (for offside), or a goal kick. If the offside offense is in the center of the field, then the flag is horizontal, as it is for a goal kick. How do I distinguish between the two? Or do I do what I did this weekend. The Center indicated an indirect free kick (assuming I was indicating offside). I called out "It's a goal kick, John." So we got it right. A minor distinction I know, but since a player cannot be offside on a goal kick, and a goal can be scored directly from a goal kick, it can matter.

As always thanks for all the insight the web-site provides.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Well in my neck of the woods we used to turn sideways to indicate goal kick and face straight on as they suggest in the USSF guide to procedures for offside. I still fail to comprehend why this difference is a bad idea but it is not taught that way anymore.
I think mouthing the words *goal kick* is appropriate at the eye contact as it is hard to mistake it for word offside. Plus you are not exactly 6 yards from the goal line when you first raise the flag. Step in at right near the goal line by the corner flag to signal the raised flag for a ball out of play. The restart spot for offside is generally not a huge deal as in a blade of grass. Goal kick has the 6 yard area to place it.
The signal stance shown in the additional instructions do indeed show the middle of the field off side to be the exact duplicate of a goal kick. FIFA authorizes an occasional discreet hand signal so perhaps the referee could set something else up in the pregame.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If one reads the Guide to Procedures [GTP] he finds the assistant's position on the field during dynamic play is with the last but one player on the defense or the ball whichever is nearer the goal line. In your situation we find the ball crossed the goal line and therefore that is where you should be. When you raise your flag, as directed in GTP to indicate a stoppage in play is needed, the referee will see you on the goal line with the ball or last but one defending player. Either way, from your position it is impossible for the attack to commit an offside offence, ergo the stoppage is for goal kick. Simple, but it involves the assistant running to the goal line and signalling from there. Not so simple a task...

Regards,