Question Number: 22001

Mechanics 9/17/2009

RE: Select Adult

Hans of Detroit, Michigan USA asks...

Are AR's required to mirror the referees decisions for balls out of touch made in the referee's quadrants? Also is the referee required to mirror AR decisions in the AR's quadrant? Or is this mirroring a referee preference, not a requirement of procedure? One last question, if the AR is 35 yards from the end line and someone blasts a shot at goal but way over the top of it,which everyone present knows no one touched it, does the AR have to run all the way to the end line to do the goal kick signal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

USSF has gone back and forth on the subject of mirroring signals. The question is whether to 'present a common front' (mirror), or 'not make a spectacle' (not mirror).

The current USSF Guide to Procedures says the AR 'Provides confirming flag signal' on throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks called by the referee.

The Guide says nothing about running all the way to the goal area to make the signal. But that may be because they are assuming the AR has kept up with the position of the ball. Personally, I make an effort to keep up, but I'm not going to delay unnecessarily just to get into position. By that time the ref will have made the call anyway.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When the ball goes out of touch in the referee's quadrant, the assistant referee should provide a confirming flag signal that reflects the referee's signal under USSF guidance. This procedure, however, is always subject to the pregame instruction by the referee.

The USSF advice regarding assistant referee work rate (chasing the ball) is:

'ARs need to chase the ball all the way to the goalkeeper on back passes and need to chase balls to the goal line on shots that are on frame or may be played by the keeper. . . . ARs cannot relax and be complacent. Remember your role and the importance it plays in the overall management of the game. The perception of hustle must be evident at all times. Fitness and mobility levels need to be high enough that ARs can chase balls and stay in the correct offside position for the entire duration of the game. Remember, normal positioning requires the AR to be in line with the second-to-last defender or the ball whichever is closest to the goal line. Common sense should also be used in that once it is clearly determined that a shot is obviously wide of the goal and no challenge will be made, the AR may slow his progress; however, this should not occur until such time as it is evident that the ball is safely wide of the goal.'