The Ref Stop

Signalling for a goal

R

Redref34

Well-Known Member
Level 5 Referee
Hi all

I am interested in what people do to signal a goal has been scored.

Do you use the whistle?
What arm signal do you make?

There are examples I have seen on occasions where referees have signalled for a goal and it looks like a free kick and people have been unsure as to the decision (take the winning England goal in the woman’s euros).

Do you always blow your whistle to restart the game after a goal has been scored? (I know you should) the reason I ask this is because I was told years ago that saying ‘when you’re ready’ especially at youth level stops players from the opposition encroaching before the ball is kicked. I always go with a whistle now having been told that is the correct thing to do.

What are the laws surrounding signalling for a goal or is it personal preference?
 
Last edited:
The Ref Stop
Bonref34 said:
Hi all

I am interested in what people do to signal a goal has been scored.

Do you use the whistle?
What arm signal do you make?

There are examples I have seen on occasions where referees have signalled for a goal and it looks like a free kick and people have been unsure as to the decision (take the winning England goal in the woman’s euros).

Do you always blow your whistle to restart the game after a goal has been scored? (I know you should) the reason I ask this is because I was told years ago that saying ‘when you’re ready’ especially at youth level stops players from the opposition encroaching before the ball is kicked. I always go with a whistle now having been told that is the correct thing to do.

What are the laws surrounding signalling for a goal or is it personal preference?
Click to expand...
Personally, I quickly point towards the centre circle for a couple of seconds, then jot it down in my notebook/ Refsix. I personally never whistle for a goal.
 
I don't routinely signal for a goal, as you rightly say the laws don't mandate a signal and it can look like a FK if used badly. There will be situations where you do need to signal - as you'll generally have to stop play, this means whistle, point to centre circle and verbally confirm the goal.

The lack of a unified "goal" signal is a definitely failing in the LOTG in my view. It's the most important incident in a game, leaving us to vaguely point towards the centre of the pitch in a very similar manner to how you would for a defensive FK is unnecessarily messy. I'm not saying we need to start using a NFL "Touchdown" signal, but there are so many unused gestures, specifying something that can be clearly used when needed shouldn't be that hard.

And as for your second question, yes, at 11-a-side the expectation will be that a whistle is needed before kick off. Nothing dramatic needed (aside from the game-starting kick-off where a big blast is recommended), just a quick peep to tell players they can start.
 
On the rare occasion that a foul may or may not have been committed as the ball may or may not have crossed the line therefore requiring a whistle to stop play (if the ball has gone in and no foul has been committed) it does tend to confuse people as to what is given.. yes a verbal confirmation helps with this.

I like the hockey signal for a goal.. loud, strong, long whistle and two outstretched arms in front of you towards the centre circle .. very clear signal
 
Bonref34 said:
On the rare occasion that a foul may or may not have been committed as the ball may or may not have crossed the line therefore requiring a whistle to stop play (if the ball has gone in and no foul has been committed) it does tend to confuse people as to what is given.. yes a verbal confirmation helps with this.

I like the hockey signal for a goal.. loud, strong, long whistle and two outstretched arms in front of you towards the centre circle .. very clear signal
Click to expand...
Two-handed point is the signal that popped into my head as well, and I couldn't think where I had got it from! But yeah, that would be perfect, but I think it would really benefit from being standardised and added to the book.
 
dylanbailey4444 said:
Personally, I quickly point towards the centre circle for a couple of seconds, then jot it down in my notebook/ Refsix. I personally never whistle for a goal.
Click to expand...
I should have said I will whistle for a goal if it’s a controversial one- gone over the line, clawed back out and the AR has signalled for it, etc. But apart from that I won’t whistle for a goal. And that instance above I find rare.
 
There is no signal for a goal required from the referee unless play needs to stop in which case the whistle is used to indicate that play is stopping.
Pointing towards the centre circle works for me, just not full stretched out and as as much at 90 degrees.
The guidance for match officials is that the whistle must be used for kick off restarts
 
Also, I won't be turning my back on the zone where the decisive action has literally JUST happened in order to point like a hockey umpire at the centre circle.
 
Max2 said:
Also, I won't be turning my back on the zone where the decisive action has literally JUST happened in order to point like a hockey umpire at the centre circle.
Click to expand...
Works for hockey but couldn't possibly work for football? Why do you think that's the case?
 
We don’t signal what happened in soccer, but what will happen. Since what will happen is a KO, the point to the center circle is pretty standard.

As far as the whistle on the KO, it‘s. Is clear that the whistle is required, and has been for many years. But it isn’t KO long ago that the word whistle was nowhere in the Laws, and the instruction was to “signal.“
 
GraemeS said:
Works for hockey but couldn't possibly work for football? Why do you think that's the case?
Click to expand...
Significantly less likely to call the nearest opponent a c*nt, fling their handbags around, then fall over and roll around.
 
JamesL said:
There is no signal for a goal required from the referee unless play needs to stop in which case the whistle is used to indicate that play is stopping.
Pointing towards the centre circle works for me, just not full stretched out and as as much at 90 degrees.
The guidance for match officials is that the whistle must be used for kick off restarts
Click to expand...
This. ^ ^ ^

Do anything else and it's

1. Unnecessary

and

2. Risks confusing the players/spectators. :cool:
 
TBH having thought about it, I think my usual "signal" is a thumbs-up and a nod to the Assistant that side that we're both happy, then grabbing my sharpie out my top pocket. If the players and spectators would look at the real star of the show - moi - they'd all know ;)
 
Straight forward goal, nothing to see here

bounce just over line etc, whistle, exagerrated point to half way or similar

book, pad out, when its clear no aftermath


blowing, hand signals etc, give the impression something is amiss


its just a ball out of play
 
Hockey umpires tend to be much closer to the goal line if not behind it when play is in the equivalent area of penalty area. Therefore the signal works because the field of play is still in full view.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top