Assistant Referee Flag Signals in Soccer

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Understand the different flag signals of football linesmen.

Soccer referee flag signals are the standard form of communication with a referee.

There are two assistant football referees who help the head referee in officiating matches. Each assistant official patrols only half of the playing field and stays on the touchline along the left-hand side of each goal.

The linesmen communicate to the head official with the use of flag signals. Below are the basic flag signals that assistant referees use in football games:

 



Flag signal for a throw-inA flag is held out to one side, pointing in the direction of play of the team awarded the throw.

  • The assistant referee raises his flag to the side
  • Points to the left if the side making the throw-in is the defending team
  • Points to the right if the side making the throw-in is the attacking team

 

 


Flag signal for a corner kickReferee flag signal for corner kick

  • The assistant referee moves to the corner flag where the kick must be made
  • Raises his flag straight upwards upon reaching the corner flag
  • Then takes one step to the side before pointing to the corner flag

 

 

 

Flag signal for a goal kickReferee flag signal for goal kick

  • The assistant referee runs to the side of the corner flag
  • Raises his flag directly up in the air
  • Lowers it to his front before pointing towards the goal

 


Flag signals for offsideThe flag is held above the head to signal for an offside offence.

When signaling for an offside, the first step that a linesman does is to go to level with the spot of the infraction. Then he raises his flag directly up in the air. The next step will depend whether the offside is far, at the center field, or near the assistant referee.

Below are the three different flag signals for an offside violation in football:

 

Far offside

Flag position that indicates Far offside signal in soccer

The signal for far offside is made if the violation happened far from the sideline where the assistant referee is standing:

  • The assistant referee moves along the sideline until he is level with the offense
  • Raises his flag directly upwards to signal that an offside violation has been made
  • Lowers his flag slightly so it points diagonally upwards, to indicate a far offside

 

Center offside

Indicates center offside signal in soccerThe signal for center offside is made if the violation at the middle of the field:

  • The assistant referee moves along the side until he is level with the infraction
  • Raises his flag directly upwards to signal that an offside violation has been made
  • Points his flag in front of in a horizontal angle, to indicate that it is a center offside

 

 

Near offside

Near offside signal in soccer

The signal for near offside is made if the violation happened near the assistant referee:

  • The assistant referee moves along the side until you he is parallel to the spot of the infraction
  • Raises his flag directly upwards to alert the main official that an offside violation was committed
  • Points his flag diagonally downwards, to indicate that it is a near offside

 


Flag signals for substitutionA flag is held above the head with both hands to indicate a substitution.

The assistant referee aids the main official in the changing of players. To make the flag signal for substitution, he:

  • Raises his flag directly up in the air and turn it sideways above his head
  • Holds the flag in that position until the substitution is completed

In professional leagues, a fourth football official assists in the substitution of players by holding an electronic board. This board shows the number of the player coming out and the one substituting in.