Question Number: 25361

Mechanics 8/27/2011

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This may sound stupid, but what is the best way to remember which way to point the flag when the ball goes over the touch line (as an AR)?

Let's say you have a red & blue team. I try to concentrate on who kicked the ball last. I can easily say 'red ball' when blue kicks it out (or vice versa). But I get confused which team is at which end & point the flag in the wrong direction & then have to change it. I've thought of just thinking of one arm blue & one red (of course, it will change at half time).

Any suggestions.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Phil,

I completely understand the issue you're having.

My personal technique is to run through a few statements in my mind, such as:

'Blue defending, red offside. Blue defending, red offside' (or red attacking)
'Blue left, red right, blue left, red right'

Sometimes I just have to constantly tell myself, 'blue defending, blue defending, blue defending' to ensure I don't forget at a critical offside moment.

The same issue can easily come up as a referee, but the above strategies don't really work. So lately I've been trying to link the teams to what's around. For instance, think to myself 'Blue running towards the road, red running towards the creek'. Or even try to repeat which team is running towards which assistant 'Blue running towards Matt, red towards Mitch'.

Then, if I put down a free kick but I momentarily forget which what it's going, then I can think back to my little rhyme, have a look and see which end Matt is standing, and go from there.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
I believe the issue is concentration. If the referee or AR concentrates enough for that few minutes at the start and just after half time that will help significantly.
Another factor is the AR trying to be 'fast' with the flag. The AR should not rush the flag but simply take his time. Usually, unless the AR wants to stop play quickly, the flag can be delayed enough to allow for thinking time. In addition I simply concentrate on the direction I want the restart to go. So its right hand when the defenders knock it out and the attack continues while its vice versa with the left hand when the attackers does so.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Not at all a stupid question, Phil, and something we all face when working as an AR, especially at the beginning of the second half.

I focus on the keeper and am usually good with this as long as the keeper has same colored socks as her teammates. I tell my self ball going towards or away from the keeper.

Being directionally dyslexic can be a burden so I am constantly putting things in a framework that's easy for me (Alabama is WEST of Georgia, South Carolina is NORTH or EAST etc.) I like what Ref Wright suggests and may incorporate his idea of running towards a person or object.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As an AR, sometimes it helps to think of the attacking team as 'your team'. Not that you root for them or anything, but they are the ones who will score a goal at your end, they are the ones who you would call offside, etc. So if 'your team' gets the throw-in, you point toward the goal line at your end.

If it gets so you truly don't remember which way to point, you can call out, 'Blue's ball.' And then shortly thereafter when you figure out which way Blue is going, you know which way to point.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

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