1. Referee Administration
Area Referee Administer
John Price
(256)
Chet Wright

2. Referee Uniform Proper Referee Jersey (short or long sleeve)
Jersey tucked in
Black shorts
Black socks with three white stripes pulled up
Proper AYSO badge
Dark shoes
Other jersey colors OK (officials must match)

3. Referee Information
Ensure You Report to Check-In Prior to Start of Games
Referees must sign up for games in Sportacus – Don’t just show up at the field
Enjoy meeting referees from other regions

4. Game Cards Roll call players from roster during player inspection
Players not on roster do not play
Enter player numbers if not on card
Referee (may delegate to ARs) maintains cards during game, fill in game info (score, players sitting, etc.)
Both coaches & all referees should verify game cards and sign
Referee brings game cards to soccer central after game (may delegate to AR or coach)

5. Referee Minimum Age Guidelines
Youth Referees
Zero tolerance for harassment
Must have an authoritatively capable adult at game
Referee Minimum Age Guidelines
Division
Ref Age
Asst Ref Age
U10 13 12
U12 15
U14 17
U16
no youth
U19

6. Game Equipment Fields will have Bring your own flags Balls
Pennies *check-in area
First Aid Kit
Ball Pump *check-in area ( psi, target: ~12 psi)
Bring your own flags

7. Start & End On Time Start Games on Time
Sunset on Saturday is at 4:42 PM
No waiting for teams, forfeit if they are late (forfeits must be verified with Tournament Director)
Finish the game on time
Substitution breaks should be 1 minute
Halftime should be 5 minutes

8. Minimum Players
Each team must have the minimum number of players ready to field at game start time
U10 – 5 minimum to play
U12 – 6 minimum to play
U14 and higher – 7 minimum to play

9. OT and KFTM
Indicated by “Semi-final”, “Consolation” and “Championship” on Sportacus.
Two 5 minute overtime (OT) periods (no golden goal) followed by KFTM if needed
OT: coin toss, kick off, no substitution breaks, kick off after the first “half”, swap sides, etc.
Only players on the field at the end of OT will be eligible to participate in KFTM
Review KFTM Checklist

10. Check Players Regular rules on player equipment
Should not have duplicate numbers – Report it but let them play
Eye glasses and knee braces (allows movement) are OK
Splints/Casts (immobilizes) are an absolute NO NO
Cold weather, check the rules, jersey must be showing
Referee makes final decision as to what equipment is safe, and therefore allowed

11. Legal Soccer Cleats

12. Illegal Cleats

13. Referee Information (cont)
Fun, Fair, Safe
Avoid trifling stoppages
What you don’t call you encourage
Referee has the whistle, don’t argue
No coaching from the spectators
Area staff will not overrule the referee
Alabama Code - Section 13A
Harassment of a sports official is a Class B misdemeanor

14. Spectators No coaching from the spectators
Remain behind the spectator control line and between the penalty areas
Act positively around players
Respect for opponents, officials and all other volunteers.
Noise-makers, air horns, etc. – Law 5
If having a negative effect on the game, they are outside interference and may be disallowed
If problems, allow coaches to address the issue. BE NICE!

15. Misconduct Coach Sendoff – Minus 3 Points
Player Sendoff – Minus 2 Point
Player Caution – No Points
Sendoff’s carry over to the State Tournament

16. Assignments Self assign games using Sportacus
ARA reserves the right to unassign or reassign as needed
Guidelines
Coaches: Do not officiate your team's division
Do not officiate your child's games
Don’t CR and prefer that you don’t AR your child's division
Don’t CR and prefer that you don’t AR your own region
Don’t referee beyond your experience level
If we get desperate, “don’t” in #3 and #4 may change to “avoid” for games that are not finals and semifinals.
Instruct Club Linemen to ONLY INDICATE IN AND OUT OF PLAY.

17. Assignments (cont)
Use good judgment for assignments as well as on the pitch
Changes in game status, location, time, etc. will be ed and texted to you automatically by Sportacus (if enabled in your profile settings)
The prudent referee will check texts, and Sportacus ( before heading to the field.

18. Sportacus Settings
1. User actions
2. User Profile Page

19. Sportacus Settings
Click here to
edit profile

20. Enter password
if you make a change
Change or text
notify settings

21. Tournament Safety Injury or Incident Requirements
Injury / Incident Report Completed and Turned into Tournament/Venue HQ
Blank AYSO Incident Form at Tournament/Venue HQ
If Player is Hurt and You Think They Need Medical Attention Don’t Hesitate To Call 911
After Taking Care of Emergency
Notify Tournament/Venue HQ and/or the Tournament Director

22. Additional Information
U16 & U19
Additional Information

23. 4th Official Fill Out Monitored Substitution Form
Control coaches (keep in Technical Area)
Back Up Referee on Book and Time
If member of Referee crew is injured, 4th Official fills vacant position
Oversee Correct Substitution Procedure
Follow additional instructions given by Referee
May not have a 4th Official

24. FIFA Substitution Law Either team may request to sub at ANY stoppage
Sub is allowed prior to a PK, but the substitute cannot take the kick or replace the goalkeeper
Procedure:
The substitute(s) must line-up at the halfway line
At the next stoppage, a substitution can be requested
The Referee determines if the substitution will be allowed
The players being replaced leave the field
The subs wait to be beckoned on the field by the Referee

25. Substitution Advice
Understand the “Player” vs. “Substitute” Distinction
Substitute becomes a Player when beckoned, and the Player becomes the Substitute
Wait for the Player to pass opponents before beckoning
Critical for Misconduct Issues
AR1 & 4th Official Assists with Counting Players
Review Law 3, The Number of Players

26. Advice to Referees Use Time Monitor Worksheets
Coaches pick up from check-in area prior to the match
Only Tournament issued is allowed.
Center Referees are Responsible for the Time Monitor
Locate the Time Monitor (4th Official or coach-provided) before the match starts
Check at Half Time for Playing Time
Avoid Unnecessary Delays in the Substitution Process
Defer to the next opportunity if the sub is not at the halfway line
Defer to the next opportunity if there’s a quick restart or the ball is about to be put into play
Take Appropriate action for Time-Wasting