Question Number: 27532

Mechanics 6/17/2013

Dave Rose of Cedar City, Utah USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27494

shouldn't ref wickham's advice here be stop. square up. raise flag for whistle. Then move up (or down) field to place of infraction, if a move is needed, THEN point to near, middle far? Since one has to 'hold flag in horizontal position until ball is placed' you can't do that first and then move up the line to indicate 'no, up here, guys'.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The USSF advice had been to show near, middle and far before moving along the touchline to the spot perpendicular to where the player was located when the ball was last touched by a teammate. It is a clearer signal that the infringement is offside. (otherwise, players are trying to figure out why the AR is running up or down the touchline). It also avoids any chance of confusion with the signal that a valid goal was scored when the ball crossed the goal line but came back into play (flag up, run up the touchline).

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I can find no reference to that states the AR is to 'hold the flag in a horizontal position until the ball is placed'. Perhaps that's some well-meaning but incorrect local interpretation? In fact that would be against procedures for an offside infraction that happened toward the sidelines, as the AR is to hold the flag at a 45-degree angle (up for far side, down for near side). The AR would hold the signal longer only if the referee had an instruction in the pre-game conference to do so. I know in some cases, players can't seem to place the ball unless the AR actively directs them, so that could be a situation where an extended signal is needed.

The signal is that offside happened, and indicates the location of the restart (near, middle or far). Once that information has been imparted, the referee lowers the flag.

As Ref Wickham has indicated, the USSF instruction is that we move horizontally to the location of the restart after having shown near/middle/far with the flag. The signal could be repeated once the referee is level with the position of the restart, if needed to tell the players where to place the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
The 'best' advice is that the flag is raised as per normal until eye contact is made with the referee who acknowledges the offside flag and then the AR points to far, middle or near. The AR then lowers the flag and moves to the position of the offside. There is no hope of confusion then that it is an offside flag rather than an unseen foul particularly if the fluttering flag is not used.
Now there can be slight variations on this as to how long far, middle and near should be held. For instance it can be held until the ball is placed or if the referee wants to deal with it himself he can advise that once he has acknowledged the flag that it should be lowered.
The important part is that the AR signal is clear with no chance of confusion. As the moving back to an original offside is reasonably rare I would suggest that the 'regular' signal is best with the AR moving quickly then to the point of the offside after the signal is acknowledged by the CR.

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

See Question: 27562