On the pitch, the linesman's job is simple: assist the referee. Whether it's signaling an offside or directing a lineout, the referee relies on the linesman's decisions many times. Understanding his signals is just as important as understanding the referee's. In this article we will cover each report.
Steps
Step 1. Flag raised
This is the basic signal. By raising the flag, the linesman indicates to the referee that play must be stopped for some reason. Typically, when the assistant sees something, they will raise the flag. At that point the referee blows his whistle and the assistant will indicate what he saw. If the referee does not see the flag, the other linesman will make the same signal to attract the referee's gaze.
Step 2. Ball out
One of the linesman's two main duties is to indicate when the ball leaves the field and how the game should proceed. Once the referee blows the whistle, the assistant referee will indicate how to proceed:
- If the assistant referee raises the flag at a 45 degree angle and points it horizontally along the sideline, he is indicating a throw-in. The team attacking in the direction the linesman is aiming takes the throw-in.
- If the assistant referee is near the goal line and is aiming for the goal, he is signaling a goal kick.
- If the assistant referee is near the goal line and points to the corner flag at a 45 degree angle, he is signaling a corner kick.
Step 3. Offside
The offside is initially indicated by a flag pointed in the air, to indicate to the referee that the game must be stopped. When the referee blows his whistle for the offside, the assistant referee holds the flag in one of three positions in front of him to indicate where the offside has occurred and, therefore, where the ball is to be positioned for the free kick. If the assistant waves the flag, however, it indicates that the offside situation did not give the attacking team an advantage, so the game can continue.
- If he holds the flag raised at a 45 degree angle, it signals an offside on the far side of the pitch (relative to its placement).
- If he holds the flag horizontally in front of him, he is signaling an offside in the center of the field.
- If he holds the flag down at a 45 degree angle, he signals an offside on the side of the pitch near him.
Step 4. Replacement
If the assistant referee holds the flag above his head with both hands, he is indicating to the referee that a substitution is taking place and that play cannot be resumed until the trial is over.
Step 5. The goal signal
When the assistant referee thinks a goal has been scored, he lowers the flag, points to the center with his hand and runs towards the half way line. If he wants to discuss the goal, however, he will raise the flag and stay where he is.
Step 6. The penalty signal
It may vary from region to region. Generally, if the referee whistles a foul inside the penalty area, the assistant referee moves to the corner flag. If the assistant remains where he is, it indicates that the foul was out of the area. At this point it is up to the referee to determine how the game will continue. Other possible signs for a penalty kick include holding the flag horizontally at chest height or running to the corner flag hiding your flag behind your back.
Step 7. Various signals
If the assistant referee keeps the flag up even after the referee blows the whistle, it indicates that he wants to speak to the referee. The assistant can show this signal if, for example, a player protests or has seen improper behavior. In particular, if he wants to indicate that a player should be cautioned or sent off, he will place his hand on the crest on his chest.
Advice
- A good linesman always stays in line with the penultimate defender or with the ball, to better judge offside positions.
- When deciding whether a behavior is an infraction or not, also consider whether the behavior was voluntary or unintentional, if it was late, if the player is faking or if he fell alone.
-
A quick explanation of the shooting of the game and related reports:
- A goal kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line and has been touched for the last time by an attacker. A goal kick is taken from anywhere in the goal area by any player on the uniformed team (including, of course, the goalkeeper) and the ball is considered in play when it leaves the penalty area.
- A corner kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line and has been touched for the last time by a fielder. A corner kick is taken from anywhere on the corner kick arc by any player on the attacking team and the ball is considered in play as soon as it is touched and moved.
- A lineout is awarded when the ball crosses the sideline to the opposite team from the last one to touch the ball. A lineout must take place as a smooth movement over the player's head and the ball is considered in play when it leaves the player's hands and enters the field.
- The signals of the referee always have priority over those of the linesman.
-
One of the main responsibilities of the linesman is to report offsides. For an offside situation to occur, the ball must be passed to a player in an offside position who is involved in an active play.
-
A player is in an offside position when he is:
- in the opponent's half
- closer to the goal line than the ball
- closer to the goal line than the last defender (goalkeeper excluded)
-
A player is considered to be involved in an active play when:
- touch, play or try to catch the ball
- interferes with an opponent
- receives an advantage from being in an offside position
- Offside situations cannot occur directly from the goal kick, corner kick or lineout.
-
