Question Number: 23546

Mechanics 6/23/2010

RE: Rec Under 18

Jamie Laning of Huntsville, Ontario Canada asks...

Hi I'm back, the first year ref, trying to work out the details.

In the interpretations/guidelines, under law 6, gestures, it says: 'As a general rule, the assistant referee must give no obvious hand signals'.

I was AR for a U19 rec game. The ball came to rest about 15 feet into the far side of the field, in contact with just the grass outside the touchline and its trailing edge over the touchline. Several players ran up to the ball and stopped. I was watching the ball, but in my peripheral vision, could see people turning to me. I gave a volleyball-like 'in' signal and away they all went.

Was this OK? What is the reasoning behind this guideline? What exceptions to the 'general rule' are reasonable? To whom may signals be given?

Thanks for all your great work.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The full quote (page 87) is
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As a general rule, the assistant referee must give no obvious hand signals. However, in some instances, a discreet hand signal may give valuable support to the referee. The hand signal should have a clear meaning. The meaning should have been discussed and agreed upon in the pre-match discussion.
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This means that the referees should not be making up signals that draw attention to themselves, or confuse the rest of the ref team. Any non-standard signals, extra to what are defined by the Laws and your FA, should be discussed pregame so there is no ambiguity. These signals can be used if they improve communication amongst the ref team.

When all the players appear to be clueless about a situation - such as your game where the ball is not out of play - you can gesture to them or call out, 'It's still in, guys!'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What you did was keeping within the letter and spirit of the Law. No one but you knew if the ball was in play so you told them. The purpose of limiting hand signals is to avoid confusion. I often work with a referee I've known for 12 years and he insists on using all kinds of hand signals as an AR that drive me nuts when we work together as I often have to stop play and go talk to him as I haven't a clue as to what he means. That's what LOTG try to avoid.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Laning
Reads to me that everyone got a clear message that the ball was still in play so nothing wrong with what you did and play continued. It is where signals that are made that are confusing or where the referee does not understand that FIFA want to eliminate.