Question Number: 22659

Mechanics 12/20/2009

RE: 8 Under 19

Stewart of Novato, CA USA asks...

While watching the MLS Cup Championship, I noticed that the Referee appeared to use at least one signal not found in the Guide to Procedures. For lack of a better description, it looked as though he signaled what in baseball would be 'safe'...to let the players know that no foul had occurred and that they should continue play. I found this helpful when watching the game. But would this sort of signal be frowned upon if I used it during an assessment for an upgrade to Grade 7?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I like some of the unauthorized signals. Another one commonly seen is when the AR makes a sign of 'no offside' for what might otherwise be a wait-and-see situation. Then the ref knows there won't be an offside flag a few moments later.

However many other refs do not like the use of unauthorized signals. If you get one of those refs as your assessor, it could count against you.

Official USSF policy on signals discourages their use, as found in Advice to Referees:
5.4 REFEREE SIGNALS
Referee signals should be restricted to those authorized by IFAB/FIFA (play on-advantage, penalty kick, indirect free kick, direct free kick, goal kick, corner kick, and caution or expulsion when showing the card), unless there is a clear need to communicate other information to the players or to the assistant referees and fourth official. Other signals or methods of communication intended to supplement (not replace) those described in the USSF Guide to Procedures are permitted only if they do not conflict with established procedures and only if they do not intrude on the game, are not distracting, are limited in number and purpose, and are fully agreed upon before the match. Such signals should be kept to an absolute minimum, and should not be demonstrative or draw undue attention to the referee (or the assistant referee). Although the routine use of signals which identify fouls is not generally recommended, referees should be prepared to quickly indicate what sort of foul has occurred when this may deter further questions, disagreements, misunderstanding, or dissent.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If you are being assessed, and as a matter of good referee practice, if you use signals such as the one you wrote about, you are clear to use it as long as you discussed it with your crew in the pre-game. That will be the question the assessor asks (or should ask). Or, you can tell the assessor the signal is one commonly used, the players understood, and you felt it was needed to deter further questions, etc.

Try not to have very many extra signals, or you run the risk of confusing or confounding the ARs who work with you, if they don't regularly work with you or others who use such signals.

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

Referee Stewart

It also comes down to:

To whom was the referee signaling in the MLS Championship game?

I can Yell 'That's nothing' to the players who are in the vicinity, and they know, without looking at me that there was no foul.
NOTE: Never yell 'Play' for 'No Foul', as that is associated with Play On and with the referee indicating a foul but allowing the fouled team to maintain the advantage of play.

In the MLS game the referee was signaling to the Fans in the stadium and to the Fans watching on TV.

If you are so lucky as to have tens of thousands of fans watching one of your upgrade games, and you have reviewed the signal with your ARs during your PreGame, then go for it. However, no post-game interviews with the TV reporters.

All the best and a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year
- Stag

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's a well-known signal even if it is borrowed from baseball. It is important you go over this with your crew before the match as well as any other signals not listed in Procedures you may plan on using during the game.
I like to tell my AR's to only use signals given in procedures except for the signal for an IFK, and the signals we go over during the pregame for showing of yellow and red cards