Question Number: 25724

Mechanics 11/8/2011

RE: competive Under 19

Luis Barranco of San Leandro, ca usa asks...

I am AR1 when the ball is the center ref's quadrant and the ball goes out of bounds in his quadrant should I wait for the center ref to look back at me before lifting direction of flag?


On a pk the AR comes down to the goal box corner closest to him. What signals does AR make for a goal or no goal?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Luis
That is an instruction that referees give to assistants before a game. If the referee is closest to the ball and he signals a direction then the AR should mirror that signal. If he is unsure of direction he should make eye contact with the assistant which tells him that he is looking for direction. The AR should then signal the direction if he is sure and the referee will mirror that signal. Officials should avoid conflicting signals and good team work should avoid that.
On the goal signal at a penalty kick if a goal is scored, the AR resumes the normal AR position , keeping players under observation and following the normal goal procedure.
If no goal is scored with play continuing the AR quickly resumes his position to judge offside (cutting the corner of the field if necessary) and keeps play in view.
If a goal has been scored and play continues the AR must raise his flag to attract the referees attention and then follow the goal procedure to inform him of that fact.
If no goal has been scored and there is an infringement by the goalkeeper the AR raises his flag and in the US he places it across his waist to indicate an infringement and stay in the same position.
Again this needs to be discussed in the team meeting and good teamwork is required.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. Yes. The USSF Guide to Procedures (GtP) provides for the assistant referee to mirror the referee's signal when the ball exits in the referee's quadrant. Eye contact from the referee will indicate whether the referee needs help from you in making a decision. Note: when the ball goes out and then immediately returns, the assistant referee should indicate the ball out of play by raising the flag.

2. The assistant referee should use the same mechanics for goal/no goal on a penalty kick as during the regular course of play.
Good goal/ ball in the back of the net - - run to and then up touchline
Good goal/ ball immediately reenters field of play - - flag up, eye contact, run toward and then up touchline.
No goal. move with second last defender and get back to touchline asap
No goal/ keeper infringement: use signal indicated in GtP

3. For both circumstances, follow any different instructions given by the referee during the pregame.