Soccer Terms

soccer linesman signals

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Soccer Assistant Ref. Signals???? HELP!!!!?

I really need to know all of the assistant ref (linesmen) symbols for soccer. I know some of the basics, but not enough. PLEASE HELP!!!

remember, your most important job is calling off-side. you should always be in line with the second to last defender or, if that player is beyond the half line, be even with the half line. if an attacking player is between the second to last defender (where you are) and the goal and is involved in the play, call offside
offside: stop right where you are and raise your flag straight up without wiggling it. once the ref acknowledges you and blows the whistle, lower your flag to either 45 degrees above horizontal straight in front of you (if the infringement was on the far side), horizontal (if the infringement was in teh center of the field), or 45 degrees below horizontal (if the infringement was on the near side). stand in that spot until the ball is placed (you show the defender where the ball ought to be placed)

throw-in: raise the flag 45 degrees above horizontal in the direction of the throwin

corner kick: run all the way to the endline and point your flag 45 degrees below horizontal towards the corner

goal kick: point your flag straight out in front of you towards the penalty area

goal is scored: keep your flag down and run towards midfield

substitution: know the league’s rules about when subbing is allowed. different leagues and different ages have different rules. if there’s a sub at midfield ready to go in, riase your flag above your head and tilt it so that the handle is parallel to the ground and the flag hangs down. once the ref acknowledges you, furl the flag and put it by your side. once play is ready to begin/subbing is complete, unfurl your flag.

foul: talk to the ref before the game; some refs want ARs calling what they see and some don’t, especially when inside the penalty area. if you see a foul, stop moving and raise your flag straight up. wiggle it a little from side to side. once the ref sees you point the flag in the direction of the kick but keep the flag fairly vertical.

penalty kick: you won’t be the one calling a PK but if one happens make sure you’re communicating with the ref. most will have you stand at the corner flag on the endline so you can see if the ball enters the goal. sometimes a ref will have you cheat in, walking down the endline toward the goal to get a better view. do what the ref says

if you need to talk to the ref: if there’s something going on near you that isn’t necessarily a foul but you think is wrong wait until play pauses and then tap the badge on your shirt (should be on the left breast pocket)

procedure: an AR should help the ref check the players in (run thru the game card and check players’ equipment) and make sure the goals are secured and the field/ball are ok. the AR should also be present for the coin toss. during the game, it’s helpful if an AR is keeping time just in case the ref’s watch breaks or something, but it’s not exactly your job to do so. oh and remember, the ball’s not out until the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the line. on the line is still in play.

i hope i didn’t foget anything. have fun AR’ing!

Does it seem like soccer aficionados speak a language all their own? It sure seems like it to me, and I’ve been playing the game for over 20 years. I put an article on the front page of this blog to help explain the most common soccer terms in plain English. Hopefully this list will help soccer moms everywhere (and soccer dads too, for that matter)to better understand what their little athlete is talking about! Click Here For Access: Soccer Terms.