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Isn't being deaf and watching soccer more like being there in person? Whenever I go see live matches there is no announcer. The ref has no mic and makes no hand

Isn't being deaf and watching soccer more like being there in person? Whenever I go see live matches there is no announcer. The ref has no mic and makes no hand gestures and there are no jumbo-tron close ups on anything important. Very difficult but apparently genuine. Part of the barrier to entry for football fans I suppose.

dragonwriter 12y ago
> The ref has no mic and makes no hand gestures While, from the stands, they may be difficult to see, soccer referees definitely make standardized hand signals.
- bhandziuk 12y ago
  Is it only done the instant they make the call or is it repeated after the fat like in american football/hockey? I'll have to take your word for it because from where I've sat I could see nothing :)
  - gamegoblin 12y ago
    Main ones off the top of my head: Arm straight up: offside Arm towards goal line: goal kick Arm towards corner: corner kick Arm in one direction or the other indicates throw in direction (if it was a close call -- often there isn't any chance for dispute and the team knows what's what and throws it in within a second or two if there is a hurry). There is a "play on" type arm wave (usually accompanied by a verbal "play on" or something) to indicate "yes I saw him fall, no I don't think it's a foul, keep playing". The line referees have flags and have similar signals. The only real difference is for a foul they hold the flag straight up and wave it a little. For offside they hold it straight up and stand still to mark where the offside occurred. The line referee should always be located at the exact line that marks offside. Of course pro players are faster than referees, but to get past level 7 refereeing (starts at level 9, kids games, level 7 is probably high school games, state level, etc) you must pass fitness exams as well as paper exams. Level 2 is FIFA assistant referee, so they must all be in quite good shape.

dragonwriter 12y ago

> The ref has no mic and makes no hand gestures While, from the stands, they may be difficult to see, soccer referees definitely make standardized hand signals.

bhandziuk 12y ago
Is it only done the instant they make the call or is it repeated after the fat like in american football/hockey? I'll have to take your word for it because from where I've sat I could see nothing :)
- gamegoblin 12y ago
  Main ones off the top of my head: Arm straight up: offside Arm towards goal line: goal kick Arm towards corner: corner kick Arm in one direction or the other indicates throw in direction (if it was a close call -- often there isn't any chance for dispute and the team knows what's what and throws it in within a second or two if there is a hurry). There is a "play on" type arm wave (usually accompanied by a verbal "play on" or something) to indicate "yes I saw him fall, no I don't think it's a foul, keep playing". The line referees have flags and have similar signals. The only real difference is for a foul they hold the flag straight up and wave it a little. For offside they hold it straight up and stand still to mark where the offside occurred. The line referee should always be located at the exact line that marks offside. Of course pro players are faster than referees, but to get past level 7 refereeing (starts at level 9, kids games, level 7 is probably high school games, state level, etc) you must pass fitness exams as well as paper exams. Level 2 is FIFA assistant referee, so they must all be in quite good shape.