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wikiHow to Understand Soccer Assistant Referee Signals

One Methods:Referee Hand SignalsCommunity Q&A

On the field, the assistant referee's job is simple: assist the referee. Whether by calling an offside or directing a throw-in, the referee relies on the assistant's input. It is just as important to understand the assistant as it is to understand the referee, so here's a crash course in basic flag-waving.


  1. 1
    Watch for the flag up. This is the most basic signal the assistant will make. By putting the flag up, they are indicating to the referee that play needs to be stopped for some reason. Typically, when the assistant sees something, they will put up the flag, flick it to get the referee's attention (especially for a foul), and after the referee blows the whistle the assistant will indicate what they saw. If the referee does not see the flag, the other assistant will typically "mirror" the signal to help attract the referee's eye.
  2. 2
    Watch for ball out-of-play and restarts. One of the two main jobs of the assistant is to indicate when the ball is out of bounds and how the game should proceed. Once the referee has blown the whistle, the assistant will indicate how to proceed:
    • If the assistant raises the flag, at a 45 degree angle and points it horizontally along the touch line, they are indicating for a throw-in. The team attacking in the direction they are pointing takes the throw.
    • If the assistant stands near the goal line and points at the goal, they are signalling for a goal kick.
    • If the assistant stands near the goal line and points at a downward 45 degree angle toward the corner flag, they are signalling for a corner kick.
  3. 3
    Watch for offside. This is initially indicated by a flag straight up in the air, to indicate to the referee that play must be halted. When the referee's calls the offside with a whistle, the assistant then holds the flag in one of three positions in front of them to indicate where on the field the offside occurred and thus where the ball should be placed for the free kick. But if the referee gives you a waving gesture it means there was no advantage in play so it continues and you lower your flag.
    • If they hold the flag up at a 45 degree angle, they are signalling for an offside on the far side of the field (from them).
    • If they hold the flag straight horizontally, they are signalling for an offside in the middle of the field.
    • If they hold the flag down at a 45 degree angle, they are signalling for an offside on the near side of the field.
  4. 4
    Watch for substitutions. If the assistant holds his flag above his head with both hands, he is indicating to the referee that a substitution is being performed and that play should not be started until it is finished.
  5. 5
    Watch for the goal signal. When the assistant thinks a goal has been scored, they will lower the flag, optionally may point to center with their hand and sprint back to the center line. If they want to dispute the goal, however, they will put the flag up and stay where they are.
  6. 6
    Watch for the penalty kick signal. The official signal is to raise the flag, flick it, then lower the flag, holding it horizontally across the waist (sometimes called, "skirting"). Many crews see this as too visible and will modify the signal. This can vary from region to region. Generally, if a foul is called by the referee and it is inside the penalty area the AR will move toward the corner flag. If the AR stays where they are then it indicates the foul was outside the penalty area. The referee can then determine the appropriate restart. Other possible signals for penalty kicks include holding the flag horizontally across the waist (without the initial flag raise and flick) or running to the corner flag and hiding their flag behind their back.
  7. 7
    Watch for the miscellaneous signal. When the assistant simply keeps the flag straight up after the whistle is blown, he is indicating he needs to talk to the referee. The assistant may show this signal if, for example, a player begins abusing him or he sees outside interference. In particular, if he wishes to indicate that a player deserves a yellow or red card, he will place his hand over his chest badge.

Community Q&A

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  • How would I flag for a corner on far side of the pitch?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Simply point to the corner closest to you. The referee and players will know to take the corner nearest to where the ball went out.
  • If it is a throw to the home side, does the Lino point to the away keeper?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Yes. In the case of a throw in, you always point to the team that shot the ball over the line.
  • Does an assistant referee make calls on the opposite sideline?
    wikiHow Contributor
    No. There are two assistant referees. One is on the left side of the net and on one side of the center line. The other is on the right side of the net and on the other half of the field.
  • Can a referee whistle for offside if the assistant referee has not raised the flag?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Yes. The center referee always can make or change calls that the assistant referee makes.
  • Can a linesman coach?
    wikiHow Contributor
    No, a linesman can't coach because it would be considered "cheating," or there might be arguments over unfair calls being called for the team he would be coaching.
  • What is the difference between direct and indirect kicks? Should the linesman call that or is that up to the referee?
    wikiHow Contributor
    There is no distinct flag for an indirect vs direct kick. For either, the assistant should raise the flag, give it a flick, then point in the direction the kick should be taken. Indirect should probably be indicated verbally. The main example where this might happen is for a dangerous high kick near an opponent where no actual contact was made. This free kick would be indirect, meaning it would have to be touched by a player before going into the goal for that goal to count.
  • Is substitution time counted?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Yes, but the referee will add it on to the extra time at the end of the game.
  • Where is an offside restarted? Where the kick was taken or where it was received?
    wikiHow Contributor
    When a referee calls an offside, it is resumed where the last line of defense was when the ref called it.
  • What is the signal for a goal kick?
    wikiHow Contributor
    If the assistant stands near the goal line and points at the goal, he/she is signaling for a goal kick.
  • How does a referee signal that a game has commenced?
    wikiHow Contributor
    The referee will ask both goalkeepers if they are ready, and will blow the whistle.
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    • A good AR will always stay in line with the second to last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line, so as to make judging offside easier.
    • When deciding whether something is a foul or not, consider if the play was intended, accidental, late, or if the player is faking it, or he fell on his own.
    • The referee's signal always takes priority over the assistants.
    • A quick explanation of the restarts that can be signalled for:
      • A goal kick is awarded when the ball travels over the goal line after last being touched by an attacker. A goal kick is taken from anywhere in the goal area by any defending player (including, obviously, the keeper) and is considered to be in play when it leaves the penalty area.
      • A corner kick is awarded when the ball travels over the goal line after last being touched by a defender. A corner kick is taken from anywhere in the corner arc by any attacking player and is considered to be in play when it is kicked and moves.
      • A throw-in is awarded when the ball travels over the touch (or side) lines to the opposing team of the team that touched it last. A throw-in must be thrown in a fluid motion over the players head and is in play when the ball leaves the player's hands and enters field of play.
    • One of the main responsibilities of the assistant is calling offside. To have an offside offense, the ball must be passed by a teammate to a player in an offside position who then becomes involved in active play.
      • A player is in an offside position when he is:
        • in the opposing half
        • closer to the goal line than the ball
        • closer to the goal line than the last defender (not including the goalkeeper)
      • A player is involved in active play when he:
        • touches, plays or attempts to play the ball
        • interferes with an opponent (such as screening the keeper)
        • gains an advantage from being in the offside position
      • There are no offsides directly from a goal kick, corner kick or throw in.


    • Never, ever attempt to challenge the referee or the assistant. As far as the soccer game goes, they are always right, and arguing will just get you yellow-carded for dissent.

    Things You'll Need

    • a soccer game
    • a referee
    • assistant referee(s)
    • flags
    • Referee Outfit
    • Watch
    • Whistle

    Sources and Citations

    Article Info

    Categories: Soccer

    In other languages:

    Español: entender las señales de un árbitro asistente de fútbol, Português: Entender os Sinais dos Bandeirinhas de Futebol, Русский: распознать сигналы помощника главного арбитра в футболе, Italiano: Capire le Segnalazioni del Guardalinee nel Calcio

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