Question Number: 26505

Law 5 - The Referee 6/26/2012

RE: Adult

Radomir of Brisbane, Australia asks...

When applaying advantage I am using only arms.Do I have to use voice as well?Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Radmir
Yes the referee should communicate with words along with the signal in an advantage situation. The words can be 'Advantage' or 'Play on - Advantage'.
The reason is that the player in possession as well as team mates may not see the referee's signal as he /they can be concentrating on the ball or in a position not to see the referee hence the need for the signal to be audible as well.
Many new referees are 'shy' about shouting 'Advantage' but after a number of games doing it does become easier.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Using your arms tells almost everyone that play should continue because there is a good scoring opportunity.

Shouting 'Play on' or 'advantage' tells the victim on the ground that you saw the foul and there's a reason play is continuing. The victim usually isn't watching the referee, but is looking for the one that hit em. Using the voice can prevent a nasty retaliation.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Not everybody knows what the arm signal means - and not everybody is going to be looking for it.

If the player who's been fouled thinks that you haven't managed the situation, then he's more likely to retaliate, so a loud call of 'Play on! Advantage' ensures that everybody - not just those looking at you - know that you've seen the foul but you're applying advantage.