Question Number: 19173

Mechanics 5/22/2008

RE: Competitive Under 15

Ben Citrin of Madison, Connecticut United States asks...

I am an AR for a match. The blue team has dribbled up the sideline and gotten up near the opposing endline to cross it in. However, before the cross, the blue player had dribbled up over the endline right before the cross, but play still continued. I then signaled for a goal kick. When this happens, do I signal straight for the goal kick, or is there something else to do first like raise the flag up in the air?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you haven't seen it previously, I'd advise you to get the USSF publication "Guide to Proceedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials" on the ussoccer.com website.

If the ball goes out of play and right back in, the assistant referee should first raise the flag vertically to indicate that play should be stopped. When the referee blows the whistle, the goal kick signal should then be given. This can look very much like an offside call, so there may need to be some communication or gestures between the AR and the ref to clarify.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It is imperative the assistant referee is ON the goal line when he indicates the ball has crossed the line and returned to play. If the signal is given from any other place the referee will have a hard time selling the assistant's advice and he might even wave him off because his view was not correct.

Regards,