Question:
I was a AR at a recent game and a situation occured where the ball was floating aorund the goal line and the keeper was trying to grab it before it rolled across.
I saw it roll across the goal and then he grabbed it and brought it back onto the field of play.
It was my impression that to signal a goal a AR should sprint back toward midfield as a signal of a goal but since it was not obvious as the ball was floating around there seemed to be some confusion.
The center referee while watching me run back was motioning to me asking if it was a goal or not.
Half way up the line I just stopped and screamed out it was a goal.
Was there some other signal I should have given him other then the sprint up the line or was this correct?
USSF answer (March 18, 2009):
We suggest that you follow the instructions in the USSF publication “Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials, designed specifically for the assistant referee to use in this situation:
If the ball briefly but fully enters the goal and is continuing to be played, raises the flag vertically to get the referee’s attention and then, after the referee stops play, puts flag straight down and follows the remaining procedures for a goal.
