| The aim of this page is to
provide a simple flexible way to practically train Assistant Referees in
the art of carrying and using the flag while running along the
touchline. The training does not have to be done on a field of play
touchline, it can be done anywhere, where there is a maximum 60 meter
long area. This program is primarily for an Instructor's use while
training Referees, but it can also be used by an individual too!

The Flag Signals.
The image above shows the
various flag and lining positions that an Assistant Referee will need to
use.
A full set of individual flag signal images can be seen on the Referees
Signals page.
1. Corner Kick
Flag Signal: The Assistant Referee should run to the corner flag, then
turn to face towards the center Referee, whilst pointing the Flag
downwards towards the base of the corner flag post, using the hand that
is nearest to the goal line.
During training the instructor should shout "CORNER"
to get the Assistant Referees to sprint to the corner flag and make the
signal.
2. Goal Kick
flag signal: Face towards the halfway line at right angles to the field
of play whilst pointing the flag into the field of play at 90 degrees
away from the body. Stand (or move) adjacent to the goal area line
(approx 5.5m (6 yds) up the touch line, away from the corner flag.
During training the instructor should shout "GOAL KICK"
to get the Assistant Referees to sprint to the correct position and
make the signal.
3. Attention
Referee!: Wave the flag 'to and fro' above you. Use this signal
to gain the attention of the center Referee. (For example - when violent
conduct has been seen.) Wave the flag vigorously backwards and forwards
until the center Referee sees it.
During training the instructor should shout "ATTENTION REFEREE"
to get the Assistant Referees to stop immediately and make the signal by
waving their flag 'to and fro' in the air.
4. Throw-In to
the right: Facing the field of play - put the flag out at a 45º
degree angle from the body indicating the direction of the throw-in. Use
the right arm to indicate right.
During training the instructor should shout "THROW-IN RIGHT"
to get the Assistant Referees to stop immediately and make the correct
signal.
5. Throw-in to
the left: Facing the field of play - put the flag out at a 45º
degree angle from the body indicating the direction of the throw-in.
Use the left arm to indicate left.
During training the instructor should shout "THROW-IN LEFT"
to get the Assistant Referees to stop immediately and make the correct
signal.
6. Crabbing:
This is a method whereby the Assistant Referee faces the field of play
and moves his body to the left or to the right by using crab-like leg
movements to shift sideways, for the purpose of keeping in line with the
second last slow moving defender. The flag must remain unfurled and
visible to the center Referee at all times.
During training the instructor should shout "CRAB LEFT
" and "CRAB RIGHT " to train the Assistant Referees to
acclimatize to a constantly changing direction up and down the
touchline.
7 & 8. Running
and sprinting and jogging: The Assistant Referee will need to
train by running at different speeds interspersed with pauses. Apart
from the physical training itself, the most important aspect of these
maneuvers, is to get the Assistant Referees to change the flag from hand
to hand to ensure that the flag is always facing INWARDS
to the field of play. This will give the center Referee maximum
visibility of the flag at all times.
During training the instructor should shout out a variable combination
of "RUN LEFT" : RUN
RIGHT" : JOG LEFT" :
JOG RIGHT" : SPRINT
LEFT" : SPRINT RIGHT"
: PAUSE" :
9. Offside
Signal: Put the flag straight up (no waving) to indicate to the
center Referee, that an offside offence has occurred - then as soon as
the center Referee has seen the flag signal, put the flag down to one of
the following varied 3 positions (far, center or near.).
During training the instructor should shout out "OFFSIDE"
followed by one of the following 3 positions.
It can sometimes happen, that the center Referee will want to keep play
going when an offside has been flagged. He will acknowledge his
Assistant Referee with an upraised arm. The Assistant Referee should
then immediately drop the flag and continue with his duties. The
instructor should demonstrate this maneuver by firstly explaining the
center Referee's arm signal, and then using the signal during training
to test the Assistant Referees.
10: Offside Far:
Face the field of play and raise the flag at a 45º degree angle upwards
into the sky, pointing into the field of play. This indicates to the
center Referee that an offside offence has occurred on the far side of
the field of play.
During training the instructor should shout out "OFFSIDE"
followed by "OFFSIDE FAR"
11. Offside
Center (or Middle): Face the field of play and raise the flag
at a 90º degree angle outwards from the body, pointing into the field of
play. This indicates to the center Referee that an offside offence has
occurred on the far side of the field of play.
During training the instructor should shout out "OFFSIDE"
followed by "OFFSIDE CENTER"
12: Offside NEAR:
Face the field of play and raise the flag at a 45º degree angle upwards
from the ground, pointing downwards into the field of play. This
indicates to the center Referee that an offside offence has occurred on
the near side of the field of play.
During training the instructor should shout out "OFFSIDE"
followed by "OFFSIDE NEAR"
13: Substitution
Required: To inform the center Referee that a substitution is
requested, raise the flag and hold it horizontal above the face. Do not
place the flag in front of the face. It should be held slightly to one
side to allow for unimpaired vision.
During training the instructor should shout out "SUBSTITUTE".
On hearing this, the Assistant Referee should make the signal, gain the
attention of the center Referee (the instructor) and then sprint to the
halfway line.
Setting up the training: (is easy!)
To set up this
training, the instructor (or an individual if no instructor is
available) will need to find a maximum 60 meter long area. If a
field of play touchline is not available, put a marker (a coat or a cone
etc.) at each end of a 60 meter line. (You do not necessarily need a
line.) Decide which end is the halfway line, and which is the corner
flag end of the field of play. (The distance between the markers can be
adjusted downwards, but should not be any longer than 60 meters.)
The time that the training takes
is entirely up to you. You can make it as long or as short or as complex
as you like.
The aim is to firstly ensure that
the Assistant Referees know the proper flag signals, and then get them
to demonstrate their knowledge by running 'up and down' to your
instructions. Two important things to remember: Firstly, the flag must
always be in the hand that is nearest to the touchline. This way, the
center Referee always has clear view (line of sight) of the unfurled
flag. Secondly, when running, the flag should be kept pointing
downwards, and not pumped up and down like a steam train as you run
along.
The instructor should stand inside
the field of play (if this is available) facing the Assistant Referees,
and will assume the role of the center Referee. To begin the training,
a gentle warm-up period of jogging and sprinting and pausing is
recommended: For example, to begin the training, the instructor shouts
combinations of "RUN
LEFT" : RUN RIGHT" :
JOG LEFT" : JOG
RIGHT" : SPRINT LEFT"
: SPRINT RIGHT" : PAUSE"
: etc.
Once the warm-up period
has been completed, the instructor can use a varied combination of all
the 'shouts' below:
"CORNER": "GOAL KICK": "ATTENTION
REFEREE": "THROW-IN RIGHT": "THROW-IN
LEFT": "CRAB LEFT ": "CRAB RIGHT
":
"RUN LEFT" : "RUN
RIGHT" : "JOG LEFT" :
"JOG RIGHT" : "SPRINT
LEFT" : "SPRINT RIGHT"
: PAUSE"
"OFFSIDE": "OFFSIDE FAR":
"OFFSIDE CENTER": "OFFSIDE
NEAR": "SUBSTITUTE"
Flag
Tips:
1. When standing
at the halfway line, and when play is in the other half of the field of
play, Assistant Referees should always hold their flag in the hand that
is nearest to the halfway line. This ensures that when play breaks back
into their half, the Assistant Referee (when he turns to run down
towards the corner flag) will already have the flag in the correct hand
facing inwards towards the center Referee.
2. Never roll the
flag up. Always have it unfurled, with as much of the flag's surface
area visible to the center Referee. Keep the flag as motionless as
possible whilst running.
3. When making the
'substitution' flag signal, do not hold it in front of your face. If you
do, you may miss an incident. Hold is slightly to one side of the face
to allow you visibility.
4. When signaling
for a goal kick (or a corner kick), hold the flag in the hand that is
nearest to the goal line. This will prevent you obscuring the center
Referee from your vision and will open up your body position so that you
are correctly facing towards the field of play. This will also give a
greater eye contact line with the center Referee.
5. When signaling
for a throw-in, use the correct hand. If the throw-in is to the right,
use the right hand. If the throw-in is to the left, use the left hand.
DO NOT use the right hand to indicate a throw-into the
left, and do not use the left hand to indicate a throw-in to the right.
In other words, do not cross your flag arm across your chest, or turn
your body unnecessarily when making signals.
6. Always hold the
flag in the hand that is nearest to the field of play. This will enable
the center Referee to view it easier. Whilst switching hands, keep your
hands low.
7. When signaling,
stop, face the field of play, stand erect and try to locate and make eye
contact with the center Referee.
8. If the center
Referee acknowledges the flag, drop it immediately and continue to move
with the ensuing game.
9. Be sharp with
the flag when you are raising it. When you bring it down, do it
gracefully!
10.
Assistant Referees must learn the correct flag signals, and use them
properly.
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