Question Number: 19047

Mechanics 5/10/2008

RE: Rec & Select Under 19

Marcus McCrory of Plymouth, MN United States asks...

There are informal signals between the assistant referees and the center referee to indicate a possible yellow card, red card whether the attacking player(s) is(are) onside during a breakaway etc.

Is there a comprehensive site that has graphics for these signs? Why aren't these communications routinely displayed along with soccer (flag) signals?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I think because they are not universally accepted and the fact the pros are now miked. A grab the throat motion, get a hold of the game by an AR to a referee , hand over the shirt pocket to indicate caution or cover the rear short pocket to indicate red. Thumbs up or down or a nod of the head yes or no good or bad. Step into the field to indicate foul inside the Pk area or a side step to show a keeper off the line. Stayng still or moving to a specific part of the field to indicate goal no goal. Indicating we need to talk with a finger hand wave or point to lips, pointing to watch indicating time, hand across throat cut it short I will see if others add to this later
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

FIFA and USSF have discouraged the use of additional signals. The worry is that referees will become spectacles, drawing more attention to themselves than is due. Having said that, a signal that allows the AR to indicate something to the referee is often better than exchanging dumb looks. No extra signals are necessary if you are fortunate enough to be doing a high-level game where AR's are wired to the referee and they can speak to each other.

One that I like, especially when offside calls are delayed, is using the off-hand to signal that there is no offside position. It looks kind of like a half-advantage signal.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Marcus, in Canada we are discouraged from these "negative signals". Purists will stick with the universal FIFA recommended signals, which are in the LOTG. Just like Referee Richard I have come across many a varied A/R signals but in the end I teach that we add no more to the game than what is already there. This way we remain consistant on the whole planet. Even the "no offside" signal is a no-no in Canada. Many do it and in my opinion and FIFA's it is wrong.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Much of this should be covered during the pregame discussion. Different referees might use different methods of these signals. The idea is to make the signals unnoticed by anyone, but the referees. For example, a quick hand movement to the left chest by the AR might mean - "I would caution that".