Question Number: 35732

Law 6 - The Other Match Oficials 10/1/2024

Tyler of Vancouver, Bc Canada asks...

Hello,

The other day while I was reffing I noticed one of my ARs using his hand (the hand free of his flag) to signal towards the goal line. I’ve seen this signal before, but I’ve never seen or heard anything of what it actually means. I can’t find anything either while searching online.

There seems to be a pattern every time I see it, it looks like maybe they’re signalling to show that a player is onside. Every time I look over at my AR to see if they’re signalling for offside, when there was a close offside, they’re doing this signal.

But I’m not too sure, and would also like to know if I should be doing this while ARing, so I would really appreciate if you could clarify this for me. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Tyler,

This is something I've heard of some referees doing - running towards the Goal Line with an arm out in front to communicate that a player is onside. Not so long ago, the LOTG section on additional advice and signals explicitly said to not do this.

It's incorrect practice and shouldn't be used. Our signal that no offside offence has been committed is to simply not raise the flag. I can appreciate that it can be a challenge for the ref to have no idea if the AR is intending to raise the flag once the player touches the ball, but it's the referee's responsibility to glance at the AR again once there's the potential for an offence to have been committed. This is part of the reason why the ref should generally be to the left of the ball, as the AR is then in the ref's field of vision and then the ref shouldn't have to take their eyes too far off play to check the AR, or the AR may already be in their peripheral vision.

Using a signal like this won't do you any favours in trying to be recognised and considered for higher level matches.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Tyler,
discrete hand signals are not uncommon. The few I choose to use as AR are tap the front shirt pocket to indicate caution and tap the back short pocket to indicate red. A hand on the throat could indicate "Get a grip!", game is slipping away. The thumps up or down is pretty basic for all is well or something is not. So too, the eye/ear point and 4 finger cup wave at the side of the hip to indicate we need to privately talk.

However, no signal should be unclear or so blatant as to indicate tactical info to either team. In the timing of runs, position is super important. What forces the choices of a defender to give chase? If you show him the attacker is onside, the pursuit will not falter where as if there is no read they might decide to trap or believe their trap worked? If the attackers are aware then they will surge forward instead of hesitate.

My colleagues espouses the proper considerations for offside consideration.
No AR raises a flag unless 100% certain of involvement. The old, "When in doubt do not wave it about!" If a goal is scored & there is possible or potential for an offside decision in perhaps the AR was uncertain who last touched what. The AR is instructed to remain steadfast and not return to the kick off position. Go with with eye contact a possible finger point to mouth or a come here bit of a wave to indicate, I have some doubt that goal was good? VAR has much greater observance & overview due to multiple angles/freeze frame/ reverse and no pressure of an instant on field decision or evaluation. They can intervene in the case of an obvious error. I suggest you go over these type of things in the pregame which at grassroots is often skipped or very brief. The very fact you were uncertain shows the lack of a pregame talk. In the post game did you have a chance to discuss this with the crew?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tyler
Thanks for the question.

An AR hand signal that means nothing to the referee is meaningless. It conveys nothing other than raising a question of what it means.

For what its worth I believe it is hand gesture to say there is no offside particularly on a tight call. I see it from time to time yet never at the higher levels as it is not in the advice section of the law book.
In days gone by many years ago ARs in our area used to point the flag down the line to convey no offside. That declined many years ago.


The Law book states and I quote
** As a general rule, the AR should not use obvious hand signals. However, in some instances, a discreet hand signal may assist the referee. The hand signal should have a clear meaning which should have been agreed in the pre-match discussion.**

So this was clearly not raised in any pre match discussion. I suspect it has become a gesture in your area and assistants are using it. I personally see little benefit in it as keeping the flag down conveys the same message.
The bigger question becomes if the gesture is not made what does that mean? Is the AR in *wait and see* mode and how is it different from no flag？

It does point to the need for a solid pre match discussion with the assistant referees. If it is a feature of AR signals in an area and I did not like it I would advise ARs to not use it.