Question Number: 24688

Law 5 - The Referee 3/13/2011

RE: High School

Lrae of englewood, co usa asks...

Hi, hat does it mean when the ref, holding both arms out in front, brushes the top of his/her fingers on his/her left hand, with the right hand several times in quick succession? thanks in advance, Lrae

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is not an official signal (high school or otherwise).

It is a common way, however, to indicate a deflection of the ball. That can aid the assistant referees and players in understanding the unexpected decision on a goal kick/corner kick or direction on a throw-in.

Dennis

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I think we are all guilty of using this unofficial signal to indicate we saw the ball deflect or touch a player before it went out of play. This is used when it's going to be apparent to everyone but the referee that a goal kick will be awarded, for example, but the referee is indicating he saw the ball touch a defender before it crossed the goal line and we are restarting with a corner kick. The same signal is used to indicate a throw in is going in the direction not anticipated by everyone else but the referee.

Thanks for the question

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The origin of unofficial signals can be found in other sports such as football, basketball etc or indeed just mimicking what happened such as a jersey pull.
In football this signal is made to indicate the touching of a forward pass or kick.
The referee here has used that signal, I suspect, to indicate that the ball has deflected/touched off a player and as such it has changed the direction of the restart. BTW they only work when the viewers knows what they mean.