Question:
I was wondering why the linesman in USSF are instructed to run to the corner spot to give the signal for a goal kick when in the EPL and most European games I watch on TV they go to the six to signal the goal kick. When a shot taken at the 18 or beyond and is well clear of the goal line my assessor still wanted me to run to the corner spot before signaling. I just think that holds up play and not all centers are going to wait for you to get their before they make there signal.
USSF answer (January 29, 2009):
The assistant referee’s standard position throughout the world is in line with the second-to-last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. There is no need to run all the way to the goal line if there is no player within playing distance of the ball, but there is clearly a need for the AR — there have been no linesmen since 1997, either in the UK or elsewhere in the world — to run with the ball as far as necessary to be certain where it will go.
While the AR should follow the ball to the goal line in most cases, he or she should not remain dead on the flag to make the signal, but should come back a yard or so to make the correct signal. This allows the flag to be visible to the referee, who must make the final decision. The referee who fails to wait a reasonable time for the AR’s signal before announcing his/her own decision is demonstrating a lack of trust in the AR and the concept of teamwork.
