A&H

Signal for Direction of Throw In

N

NOVARef

Active Member
This may be trivial, but what is the correct hand signal for the direction of a throw in. Is the it more like a signal for a corner kick (arm up on and angle) or is it more like the direction for a free kick (arm parallel with the ground)? Law 5 doesn't show this hand signal. Thank you.
 
The Referee Store
As this one isn't in the LOTG, when I do make it (eg if it was tight, with CARs etc), I tend to just stick it out in the correct direction and leave it where it lands. The players aren't fussed about the angle, and I'd imagine any observers wouldn't be either.
 
OnlyUseMeWhistle said:
I had an observer say it should be parallel, free kick slightly raised and then corner much higher like an AR's flag
Click to expand...
This advice is contrary to law 5 which does indeed have a signal for free kick which clearly shows the referees arm parallel with the ground.

Fwiw I think throw ins are the only other signal that is directional in the same way as the book shows for direct free kick so my logic would say this is the way to signal a direction when there isn't another Signal required.
 
JamesL said:
This advice is contrary to law 5 which does indeed have a signal for free kick which clearly shows the referees arm parallel with the ground.

Fwiw I think throw ins are the only other signal that is directional in the same way as the book shows for direct free kick so my logic would say this is the way to signal a direction when there isn't another Signal required.
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly. A direct free kick would be whistle followed by parallel arm, a throw in would (usually) be no whistle and parallel arm. Difference being the rare occasions where a throw in does require a whistle, in which case a touch more communication may or may not be required, depending on the situation.
 
Despite the LOTG implying that no other signals are permitted, I'm sure we've all seen referees use a "throw in" gesture to clarify it is a throw - either when in the corner and there's a possibility of a corner/GK, or elsewhere on the sidelines when there is an appeal for a FK that isn't given, but the whistle is needed regardless as the ball is only just out. And also, to clarify that a foul throw is the decision and play should be restarted with a throw, rather than a foul for a push etc in the drop zone.

Don't try to be too specific with the height/angle of a signal - no player will know the difference and you'll just confuse people if you assume they will. Communicate with your voice and if a directional signal is needed, this can be before or after the clarifying throw-in signal, just don't try and do both at the same time!
 
RefereeX said:
Difference being the rare occasions where a throw in does require a whistle, in which case a touch more communication may or may not be required, depending on the situation
Click to expand...
When this one occurs, I'm assuming I'm not the only one that basically acts out the throw?
 
GraemeS said:
Despite the LOTG implying that no other signals are permitted, I'm sure we've all seen referees use a "throw in" gesture to clarify it is a throw - either when in the corner and there's a possibility of a corner/GK, or elsewhere on the sidelines when there is an appeal for a FK that isn't given, but the whistle is needed regardless as the ball is only just out. And also, to clarify that a foul throw is the decision and play should be restarted with a throw, rather than a foul for a push etc in the drop zone.

Don't try to be too specific with the height/angle of a signal - no player will know the difference and you'll just confuse people if you assume they will. Communicate with your voice and if a directional signal is needed, this can be before or after the clarifying throw-in signal, just don't try and do both at the same time!
Click to expand...
Thank you. Before last night, I wasn't too concerned with the signal for the direction of a throw in, but I use a parallel arm based on the same thought process as James L; however, after the game, a "mentor", someone sent out by the referee assignor to watch games and report back to the assignor on the quality of the refs and also to provide feedback to the referees at halftime and/or after the game, approached me and told me that my arm should be up higher on throw ins. I just accepted his feedback graciously, but thought he was wrong, so I came to you guys...end result...I'm going to keep using the parallel arm. : )

I also use a throw in motion when I want to clarify that it's a throw in rather than a free kick, etc. Some other signals I use and I'm assuming most others do are on foul throws. I mimic what the thrower did incorrectly. If the back foot came up, I raise my back foot. If he stepped onto the pitch, i take an exaggerated step forward. If the ball didn't come from behind his head, I mimic what he did and then do a correct throw in motion over my head. These seem to be accepted as I see other referees do this. Also, on hand balls, I blow the whistle and pat my arm a few times to let them know it was a handball. If the ball hits an arm but it was in tight, I sometimes bring my arms in tight to let people know I saw it, but I'm not calling it because the arms were in tight. Not sure if others do these. Thanks.
 
NOVARef said:
Not sure if others do these. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I do literally all of these, plus cut the grass when a significant number of people are shouting for a foul that is not a foul (otherwise just a quick no and a little hand wave) but these are about as far as I go tbh.
 
I was told aim for your hand at about ear height, so in effect just a bit up from parallel.
 
As an observer I'll only really comment on signals if they look untidy or hesitant. Bang a straight arm out with confidence and I'm not really worried about the angle, where I would have concerns is if the signal was hesitant or the arm was bent
 
RustyRef said:
As an observer I'll only really comment on signals if they look untidy or hesitant. Bang a straight arm out with confidence and I'm not really worried about the angle, where I would have concerns is if the signal was hesitant or the arm was bent
Click to expand...
This. A signal is to communicate something. Make it look good, easy to understand and you are confident about your decision and that should be end of. Surely there are things of more substance to talk about in a debrief than the angle of the arm in a TI signal.

While I'm here..... Make sure you shirt is tucked in 😂
 
Just a clarification on making it look good. I saw a referee who was running in one direction and attempted to signal a free kick in the opposite direction while running. He ended up tripping himself but lucky for him recovered just in time not to hiit the deck. Please don't try this at home.
 
Last edited:
one said:
This. A signal is to communicate something. Make it look good, easy to understand and you are confident about your decision and that should be end of. Surely there are things of more substance to talk about in a debrief than the angle of the arm in a TI signal.

While I'm here..... Make sure you shirt is tucked in 😂
Click to expand...
For me, working mainly as an AR, the only critical thing is that there is clear differentiation between the throw in signal and the corner signal. There are (rare) occasions) when the ball goes out at the far end of 'my' touch line and it's important to know what the referee has given, so that I can either a) give the required throw in signal or b) give no signal at all!
 
RustyRef said:
As an observer I'll only really comment on signals if they look untidy or hesitant. Bang a straight arm out with confidence and I'm not really worried about the angle, where I would have concerns is if the signal was hesitant or the arm was bent
Click to expand...
I’m gonna name my first horse, Michael Oliver’s bent arm!
 
one said:
Just a clarification on making it look good. I saw a referee who was running in one direction and attempted to signal a free kick in the opposite direction while running. He ended up tripping himself but lucky for him recovered just in time not to hiit the deck. Please don't try this at home.
Click to expand...
Flashbacks 😂! I hit the deck once on a very wet, muddy pitch, because I tripped over the ball which I'd just dropped for a team. How embarrassing. On the brightside, there was something to laugh about in a very boring, cold 0-0.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: one
Russell Jones said:
For me, working mainly as an AR, the only critical thing is that there is clear differentiation between the throw in signal and the corner signal. There are (rare) occasions) when the ball goes out at the far end of 'my' touch line and it's important to know what the referee has given, so that I can either a) give the required throw in signal or b) give no signal at all!
Click to expand...
I struggle to see how the exact body shape and arm angle doesn't give you that information. Unless the referee gives the signal from an very unusual position such as outside the field of play. I did note you have said rare.

Best practice for TI signal is to face the touchline the ball went out. Use right hand for defending TI and left hand attacking TI. Facing a different direction or using the opposite hand not only looks untidy but also is confusing. For a corner facing the goal line then left hand is used in you scenario. If right hand used, it's a TI.

In short I am saying if as AR you can't figure out if it's TI or corner, the cure is somewhere else not the arm angle.
 
Last edited:
one said:
Best practice for TI signal is to face the touchline the ball went out. Use left hand for defending TI and right hand attacking TI. Facing a different direction or using the opposite hand not only looks untidy but also is confusing. For a corner facing the goal line then left hand is used in you scenario. If right hand used, it's a TI.
Click to expand...
One thing to note on this. If the referee is facing the AR (who is normally left-back position) it would be left hand for attacking throw. Unless you arer referring to the AR signal and I've misunderstood in which case you are right that it is left for defending throws.
 
  • Like
Reactions: one
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top