Sports officials use different signals to pass messages to players in most sports. Referees use hand signals in soccer, rugby, and American football. There are more than 200 million soccer officials worldwide.
Popular sportsbooks like Betway offer a wide variety of soccer bets to gamblers. But many soccer fans have a murky understanding of most signals. In this article, we discuss six common football signals you need to understand.
1. Referee Pointing Up for Indirect Free Kick
The referee blows the whistle and points upwards with their free hand. They explain why and which player will receive the free kick. They keep their hand raised for a short while as they explain which side will receive the indirect free kick. Players who receive indirect free kicks cannot shoot at the goal. Also, they are infamous compared to direct free kicks. The referee gives an indirect free kick if one team passes the ball to its goalkeeper and they touch it with their hands.
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2. Referee Blows the Whistle and Points Forward for a Direct Free Kick
The referee uses their free hand to point the attacking direction of the side that will receive a free kick as they blow the whistle. It is essential to stop playing once the referee blows the whistle. Many soccer fans who use betway soccer offers wager on whether a player will score from a free kick. For example, if another player, besides the goalkeeper, touches the ball with their hands, the referee awards a free kick.
3. Referee Points Forward after Foul Play to Show Advantage
The referee puts their two arms in front facing towards the goal of the side with an advantage. They don’t blow a whistle when one team commits a minor foul. The referee gives a free kick to the team that makes severe fouls frequently.
4. Referee Points at the Penalty Spot for a Penalty Kick
The referee points at the penalty spot of the side that has received a penalty kick as they blow the whistle. A long whistle blow signals the player to take the penalty kick. The referee signals a penalty if one of the players commits a foul in the goal box.
5. A Yellow Card
The referee gives a player a warning. Players who receive two yellow cards in a match, and continue making fouls receive a red card. The referee points the card at a player and points it upward. They later write the offense in a notebook.
6. A Red Card
The referee issues a red card to players with two yellow cards or those who commit severe offenses. For example, a player might receive a red card if they punch an opponent. The referee points the second yellow card at a player, points a red card at them and holds it upwards. Players who receive a red card leave the pitch immediately.
Football referees use their hands to make various signals to indicate offside, free kick and other decisions. Assistant referees waive their flags when a player is offside. It is important for each player and sports official to understand football signals. Betway provides team lineups and schedules for various soccer leagues.
