Question Number: 22233

Mechanics 10/13/2009

RE: Competitive Under 15

David Arcese of Attleboro, Ma USA asks...

Situation: Attacker,approx 40 yards from goal dribbling at speed along sideline in front of AR. Defender running alongside. As they pass AR I(center ref) get a signal from AR that a foul occurred. I notice nothing of any significance and assume that if anything AR is signaling for foul against defender. Since attacker keeps clear possession of ball and maintains attack at full speed I signal for him to put the flag down. Attacker dribbles a few more yards and blasts a shot which results in a goal.

My question is should I have gone over to the AR after the goal to confirm he was signaling a foul was committed by the defender ? And if I did that and he indicated to me that he was signaling a foul was committed by the attacker could/should I have disallowed the goal after my consultation with the AR ?

Fortunately I spoke with the AR at halftime and he was signaling that the defender committed a foul.

thanks, David

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the AR wasn't following proper mechanics either by having flag in incorrect hand or not sprinting up the touchline after the goal, then you better go have a talk with him as at that point you have no idea what the AR called and you don't want to wait until after play has restarted to find out you were wrong. If the AR clearly saw he attacker commit a foul you missed, then call off the goal and restart with free kick where the foul happened

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1) It works really well if you wave down the flag and shout/signal the advantage! Everyone will see the teamwork.

2) If the AR wants to indicate that the foul was against the attacking player, the flag should be in the other hand (ready to signal a direction toward the opposing goal). If the AR wants to indicate, oops, I meant to indicate a foul by the attacking team and put the flag in the wrong hand, the AR has two choices: (a) keep the flag up even though you waved it down (digging a pretty big hole for you) - and now insisting rather than assisting; or (b) standing at attention after the goal is scored. Standing at attention is the assistant's way of telling you that something was wrong about the goal, and 'we need to talk.'

3. If the AR isn't standing at attention after the goal is scored, you don't need to talk. You already know the AR has confirmed 'good goal' by a short sprint up the line.

Good work in letting play continue.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Hopefully both you and the AR know the proper signals for fouls - that the flag is raised in the hand corresponding to the team that was fouled and would get the restart. There should be no confusion on your part who the AR was indicating.

Also, the AR should have evaluated the possibility of advantage himself. There is no way for the AR to call or signal advantage, but if he feels it applies he should keep the flag down.