1. Coed Soccer – 6 Boys Max, 5 Girls Ratio
Procedural Updates
As of Feb 1, 2018
Coed Soccer – 6 Boys Max, 5 Girls Ratio
In-match communication is between ref ↔ Head Coach or captains (captains may be at bench or on pitch)
Assistant coaches may only communicate with ref to request substitutions
Dissent or abusive language from bench personnel (trainers, managers, admins) – card is shown to the HC (Yellow or Red)

2. Controlling the Match
Hard for players to dissent while ball is in play
Safety of players is priority #1
Pre-game, understand the makeup of the opposing teams
Physical vs. Finesse
You’ll be able to tell the playing styles in the first minutes
Less finesse-oriented teams ramp up physicality in order to level the playing field.

3. Foul Type Refresher
Trifling – contact that does not materially affect or disadvantage the opponent
Careless – showing a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge
Reckless – acting with disregard of the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent
Requires yellow card (caution). Player must be removed from play until next legal sub opportunity. Coach may opt for a sub OR may choose to play short a player
Excessive Force – exceeding the necessary use of force, endangering the safety of the opponent
Requires red card (ejection from match). Team must play short for the remainder of match

4. Understanding Charging
Most misunderstood foul in soccer
Must be shoulder-to-shoulder in an upright position, within playing distance of the ball, with at least one foot on the ground, and arms held close to the body. (NFHS Rule )
Playing distance to the ball is important – 5 or more yards away from the ball is not within playing distance, even at a full sprint!
Shoulder-to-back, shoulder-to-chest, hip-checks – not fair charges. Does not meet definition in
The charge must be as part of an attempt to play the ball.

5. Understanding Charging pt 2…
Fair charges can result in a player hitting the deck
Opponents may differ in height or weight or both… and usually do!
Taller players should take care where the arm is to avoid a foul
Players shielding ball may be challenged, but not directly to the spine or center of back.
Charges directed to these areas are at MINIMUM reckless.

6. Common Charging Mistakes
Hitting the opponent without an attempt to play the ball is not legal.
Follow-through contact by raising / extending the arm or forearm to push is not legal, even if the initial “hit” is shoulder-to-shoulder
Area of contact and angle and force of impact is the primary consideration in determining safety
Contact to spine, neck, or head is NEVER ok.

7. Charging Example Sanctions
Careless – not shoulder-to-shoulder, or too close to center of back or chest
Reckless – coming in at an angle and/or speed that leaves the charging player out of position to play the ball after contact
Excessive Force – contact that is extremely violent and likely to produce injury
Examples: leading with elbow / knee or driving through with shoulder on player’s blind side

8. Clues to Use for Charging
Lowering shoulder right before contact
Pushing off with the outside leg in an upward motion (aka. driving upward)
Leaving feet prior to contact
All are attempts to play the player, not the ball.

9. Persistently Infringing
The caution for PI is one of the best tools a referee has
PI can be single player committing multiples of the same or several different fouls
PI can be a team committing multiple fouls against the same individual
Note this card is written up as Unsporting Behavior and noted as “Team PI against Player #”
Good man management: let the captain know the next foul by anyone on Player X will result in a PI card
Showing a card for PI tells the players you are keeping track – they will modify their behavior accordingly

10. Reining in Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers are field players outside the penalty area.
The only extra privilege a GK has is the use of hands inside the penalty area.
Going for the ball does not give a GK license to be reckless or use excessive force!
Player safety trumps all facets of the match

11. One Last Note - Getting the Ball
“I got the ball” is not a Get Out of Jail Free card.
Getting the ball first does not necessarily make the challenge or tackle legal.
Getting the ball and following through with the rest of the body in a careless or reckless manner or with excessive force DOES make the challenge or tackle ILLEGAL.