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Football/Soccer Referees' Signals

For signals used by Referees in High School games in the United States, click here for a pdf file.

Straight up to indicate to the centre Referee, that an offside has occurred - then once the centre Referee has spotted the signal, put the flag down to one of the following 3 positions.	Flag placed at a 45 degree angle upwards, pointing into the field of play to indicate to the centre Referee that an offside has occurred on the far side of the field of play.	Flag placed at a 90 degree angle, pointing into the field of play to indicate to the centre Referee that an offside has occurred in the centre of the field of play.
Flag placed at a 45 degree angle downwards, pointing into the field of play to indicate to the centre Referee that an offside has occurred on the near side of the field of play.	Run to the corner flag - face towards the centre Referee whilst pointing the Flag downwards towards the corner arc.	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. Stand adjacent to the goal area line (approx 5.5m (6 yds) up the touch line,  away from the corner flag.
Flag straight up with a snap, then immediately pointing in the direction of  the restart (throw-in or free kick etc.).	Facing the field of play - put the flag out at a 45 degree angle from the body indicating the direction of the throw-in. Use the right arm to indicate right.	Facing the field of play - put the flag out at a 45 degree angle from the body indicating the direction of the throw-in. Use the left arm to indicate left.
Use this signal to gain the attention of the centre Referee. (For example - when violent conduct has been seen.) Wave the flag vigorously backwards and forwards.	Use this signal to inform the centre Referee that a substitution is requested. Do not place the flag in front of the face. Can be held slightly to one side to allow for unimpaired vision.	The penalty kick signal is not an official FIFA signal. There has been a tendency recently NOT to use this signal. (See Note below.)
Assistant Referee Note: If the centre Referee has missed a flag signal, the Assistant Referee standing on the opposite side to the Assistant Referee who is making a flag signal can also echo the signal (for example Offside, or Substitution flag signals) being made by the opposite Assistant Referee. Once the centre Referee has spotted the 'echoed' signal, the Assistant Referee can use his flag to point to the opposite Assistant. This allows both the Assistant Referees to work together to gain the centre Referee's attention during critical moments in a game.		Centre Referee signal using a straight upstretched arm pointing towards the corner - thus indicating that a corner kick has been awarded.
Centre Referee signal using a straight downstretched arm pointing towards the goal area - thus indicating that a goal kick has been awarded.	Centre Referee signal: Take out the card and raise it upwards and to the side of the player who should still be standing in front of the Referee. Keep the card away from the player's face.	Hold the card aloft for 2 or 3 seconds and turn it several ways to allow all the people watching to see which colour card has been issued
Centre Referee signal using a straight downstretched arm pointing towards the penalty spot - thus indicating that a penalty kick has been awarded.   This is a similar signal to the goal kick signal above - it is therefore important that the arm clearly points to the penalty mark.	Centre Referee signal : Shout "Advantage, Play on" - whilst sweeping both arms upwards and forwards in one strong  sweeping motion from bottom to top.	Centre Referee signal : This is very similar to the 'Advantage' signal but not quite so high. In addition to using the whistle - this is a good visual way of depicting the 'Kick-off' especially for the hard of hearing!
Centre Referee signal : Raise an arm straight up in the air and keep it their until the ball either goes directly out of play, or touches another player.	Centre Referee signal: Pointing one upstretched arm upwards towards the direction that the direct free kick is to be taken. And the other arm pointing downwards to the place where the kick is to be taken.	Centre Referee signal: Indicate the direction of the throw-in by raising an arm upwards from the body indicating the direction that the throw-in must be taken. Hold for about 5 seconds.

Note: The penalty kick signal is not an official FIFA signal, but nevertheless, has been used by Referees in England for some years. There has been a tendency recently at the top levels to NOT use this signal. Instead, if the Assistant Referee wants to signal for a penalty kick offence, he will raise his flag and wave it ‘to and fro’ to attract the Referee’s attention (similar to the 'Ball out of Play' signal above). This allows the Referee to immediately award a penalty kick if he (the Referee) has also seen the penalty kick offence, or to stop play to discuss details with the Assistant Referee. In addition to this, some Referees ask their Assistant Referees during their pre-match brief, to raise and wave their flag to and fro, and then walk slowly towards the goal line if they (the Assistant Referee) believes that a penalty kick offence has been committed. This is a subtle method of indicating to the Referee, that the Assistant Referee believes an incident in the penalty area is a penalty kick offence. BUT it also allows the Referee to make up his own mind, and subtly overrule the Assistant Referee, if he disagrees (or to go and speak to the Assistant Referee to clarify details). Using this method can prevent a serious situation arising where the Assistant Referee signals for a penalty kick, but the Referee who has also seen the incident, disagrees.

Many thanks to Dan Kent from the US for his additional suggestions.

Additional 10 Minute Refereeing Signals below...

'Ten Minute Refereeing' Starts (Click here)	'Ten Minute Refereeing' Stops (Click here)

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