Question Number: 19563

Law 5 - The Referee 7/3/2008

Chris of Vancouver, Canada asks...

Regarding Referee signals:

Recently, it struck me that the FIFA LOTG don't indicate any Referee signals for Goal kick, Corner Kick, Kick-off or Penalty shot. There are only AR signals for the first two.

I always avoid signalling a goal the way our hockey cousins do (and many soccer referees) i.e. by pointing to the goal as they like to. I just point to the centre circle to indicate a kick-off. But I wonder if that signal has also become urban legend. Should I be merely moving toward the centre as does the AR?

What about the penalty shot signal? (pointing to the spot) Is it a traditional signal not mentioned in the laws, similar to red-carded players not being replaced, not implicitly stated but understood?

As for the referee signaling a goal kick or corner kick, what is the proper way if any: pointing to the corner arc or goal area (which can look like a penalty shot indication) or bending the arm at the elbow and pointing as may refs do. (For u-14 and below, I use my voice as well, since those age groups get confused, but above that age, everybody seems to understand by signals alone).

Or are all these signals part of the folklore of soccer myths??!!

Thx

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You'll have to move to the US, Chris. These are covered in the USSF publication, 'Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials'. It is found on the USSF website at http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/07_gde_proced.pdf

For a PK, the ref points to the penalty mark.

For a goal kick, she points to the goal area. That is quite similar to the PK signal, but usually there's little confusion. The PK signal is accompanied by a whistle, while the goal kick usually doesn't need a whistle.

For corner kick, the ref points to the proper corner with the arm held at a 45 degree angle above horizontal.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You can do no wrong by pointing toward the location of the restart for the obvious goal, kick corner kick or kick off. For the not so obvious you'll want to whistle then point. Once you establish the location of the restart moving to a position where you think the ball will wind up is a secondary clue.

Goal kicks are signaled with the arm level and towards the corner of the goal area so there shouldn't be all that much trouble with the penalty kick especially when one signals that by pointing directly at the spot and moving towards it.

Remember, as on any signal, you'll want to make eye contact with the lead assistant for agreement on the ball being out of play and what comes next. Usually signals start with the match official closest to the field boundary the ball crossed. This will take some getting used to but when followed there is less chance of signalling opposite within the crew.

Regards,

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