Spring 2015 Referee Meeting League Specifics and Points of Emphasis

Points of Emphasis Referee Procedures Substitutions Restarts Offsides

Referee Procedures Professionalism is the key. If you do not carry out your procedures properly, you will not be respected.

Referee Procedures Be Prepared Have the proper equipment Keep Time Shoes, Shirts, WHISTLE, WATCH, PEN Keep Time Both officials should keep time If asked “There are ABOUT ____ minutes left

Referee Procedures Be Clear Verbally identify calls Signal calls visually You should be seen and heard by all participants in the game (players, coaches, fans).

Be outside the ball! Remember you have to see if the ball is out!! Positioning Be outside the ball! Remember you have to see if the ball is out!!

Each referee is responsible for one sideline and one goal line. Two Man System Each referee is responsible for one sideline and one goal line.

FIT / EXPERIENCED / ACTIVE Movement FIT / EXPERIENCED / ACTIVE Cover the entire field

Referee Procedures Know the rules Explain your decisions when asked Use the phrase “In my opinion…” Know Offsides Know your restarts When to use each and what are the violations.

Substitutions Subs are only allowed to enter with permission of the referee. Do not allow coaches to make this decision. Subs must enter from the halfway line make sure to instruct the coaches to place subs at the flag. Be sure to review procedures with the coaches before every game.

Substitutions cont. Replacing the Goalkeeper Can switch with another player at any stoppage Referee must be notified Infringement - discuss with coach and switch back Caution both players for second offense

Restarts The ball must entirely cross the line before it is out of play. You need to be in the correct position to make this decision. Throw-ins: Two feet down, ball back behind the head U8 - rethrow first violation then play on after that.

Restarts cont. Goal Kicks must leave the box take as many tries as needed Kickoffs must be played forward If you do not call these, you will lose credibility.

Direct Free Kick or Penalty Kick Major Fouls Ptooey! Spitting Pushing Holding Deliberately Handling* Striking Charging Dangerously Direct Free Kick or Penalty Kick Kicking Tackling – getting player before ball Tripping Jumping At

Indirect Free Kicks By the GK: Handling ball deliberately kicked by teammate Handling ball from throw-in by teammate Handling ball having previously released into play Holding ball more than 6 seconds All Players: Preventing GK from releasing ball into play Playing in a dangerous manner Impeding an opponent Any other infraction not previously mentioned

Drop Ball Injured player (if ball is in play) Ball can be dropped to a single player Outside interference (ball or person) Severe weather (if ball in play)

Offsides YOU HAVE TO IN CORRECT POSITION TO MAKE THIS CALL!!! In line with the second to last defender or the first attacker.

Offsides cont. 3 Elements Location - in the opposing half of the field Timing - When the ball is played by a teammate Involvement - player receives the ball or distracts an opponent Being in an offside position is not an offense

Offsides cont. You can not be offsides if the ball has gone out of play Throw-in Goal Kick Corner Kick

League Specifics No Slide Tackles The players are free to leave their feet to play the ball. They CANNOT leave their feet to challenge for the ball 1st offense = warning 2nd offense = card

League Specifics Goals cannot be scored from a kick-off All u-8 free kicks are indirect.

League Specifics u8 - 4v4 with 12 minute quarters u10 - 6v6 with 25 minute halves u12 - 8v8 with 30 minute halves

Visit the parents at halftime. Remember COMMUNICATION is KEY!!! Communication with the game participants will make your job easier and help everyone learn the game. Visit the parents at halftime.