A Field Guide to Soccer Referee Signals

Ever wondered why soccer referees look like they’re conducting an orchestra? From whistle blasts to flag waves, these signals keep the sport moving smoothly.

Whether you’re a player, coach, parent, or fan, this guide will help you speak the universal language of soccer officials.

TL;DR:

Referees use three main tools to control the game: whistles for timing, flags for boundaries, and hand signals for decisions.
Most calls combine multiple signals working together to communicate clearly to all players and spectators.
Understanding these signals helps everyone to follow the game better and respect officials’ decisions.

The Referee’s Arsenal: Tools of the Trade

The Mighty Whistle

The whistle is the referee’s primary communication tool, used to control the flow of the game:

One blow: Signals the start of play, indicates fouls, or confirms goals
Two blows: Indicates the end of a half
Three blows (with the last being extended): Marks the end of the match

Flags

Assistant referees (ARs) use flags to communicate with the main referee:

Raised vertically: Indicates out of bounds
Waving motion: Signals fouls or offside infractions

Hand Signals

Referees use specific hand gestures to communicate their decisions clearly:

Direct free kick: Single arm pointing toward the opposing team’s goal
Indirect free kick: Arm raised straight up until the ball is kicked
Penalty kick: Direct point to the penalty spot
Advantage: Arm raised at 45-degree angle to indicate play should continue despite a foul

The Referee’s Repertoire: Signals in Action

Cards

Yellow and red cards: Shown to players for serious rule violations
Cards are held high above the head for clear visibility

Set Pieces

Corner kicks: Arm points to the nearest corner flag
Goal kicks: Arm points to the goal area
Throw-ins: Arm indicates the direction of play

The Technical Aspects

Offside: Initially signaled by AR’s raised flag, followed by referee’s whistle
Substitutions: Arms raised with rotating motion
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Rectangle drawn in the air with hands

VAR in Modern Soccer

In professional matches, VAR technology supports referees in making crucial decisions. When VAR is consulted, the referee makes a rectangular TV screen gesture with their hands to indicate the review process.

The Choreography of Control

Many referee signals work together in sequence. For example, an offside call typically involves:

Assistant referee raising their flag
Main referee’s whistle
Hand signal indicating the free kick direction

Beyond the Whistle

Understanding referee signals is important, but equally crucial is maintaining respect for officials. Remember:

Referees make split-second decisions in fast-moving situations
Even at professional levels, some calls may be missed
Officials are human and deserve respect regardless of their decisions

The best way to enjoy the game is to focus on supporting the players rather than criticizing the officials. This creates a more positive environment for everyone involved, from youth leagues to professional matches.

In youth games, there’s already a shortage of refs, let’s not discourage them from pursuing their passion.

The Method Behind the Movements

Clear understanding of referee signals benefits everyone:

Players can respond quickly to calls
Coaches can adjust their strategy accordingly
Fans can better follow the flow of the game
The overall match proceeds more smoothly

Remember that referee signals exist to facilitate clear communication and maintain fair play.

While disagreements about calls are natural in any sport, understanding the basic signals helps everyone appreciate the game’s structure and the officials’ role in maintaining it.

Advice to Parents

As an aside, be nice to your referees.

They are trying to do their best. It really is tough to make the right calls in the moment. Sometimes the game happens so fast that the referee misses things. The best thing you can do is keep it to yourself.

I’ve been on the sidelines where the parents just berate and argue all game. I’ve seen it at the U19 level and unfortunately U8, age doesn’t matter. Some parents think they know the game better than the coaches and refs. The funny thing is, they usually don’t.

Parents should sit back and enjoy their son or daughter playing the game they love. We should try to take the emotions out of it. It will be better for them, the player, the coach, and the referee!

Let’s make youth soccer what it should be: a place where kids play, learn, and grow, supported by adults who model the respect and dignity that sport can teach us. After all, the best youth soccer memories are made not by perfect officiating, but by the joy of playing the beautiful game.

A Field Guide to Soccer Referee Signals