1. SSF Referees Course 7 th March 2011

2. SSF Game Leader or Instructing Referee What’s the difference? Game Leaders look after the Under 6 & 7 Instructing Referees look after the Under 8-11 The roles of SSF Game Leaders and Instructing Referees differ slighty

3. Your role as a SSF Game Leader The most important thing is to – KEEP THE GAME MOVING!! Try to limit stoppages in play. Help players with the restart of play to ensure the game is moving freely. Ensure the opposing team is back to the halfway line for all goal line restarts. Facilitate an environment where all the kids will have FUN !!!

4. Your role as a SSF Instructing Referee The main role of the instructing referee is to control the game and make sure it runs freely. SSF Instructing Referees aim to instruct and correct the players on how to behave and what the rules are. The referee may instruct the players without stopping the game. Discourage players from permanently standing in blatant offside positions. Facilitate an environment where the kids will have FUN !!!

5. Under 6 & 7 Rules The ball – Size 3 Number of players – 4v4. Maximum of 4 players from each team on the field at any time. Players may be interchanged at any time. No goalkeepers. No offside. Duration – 2x 15 minute halves. (MAX 5 min half time break). Field is 20x30m in size.

6. Under 6 & 7 Rules Start of play & restart after a goal – A pass forward to a teammate from the middle of the halfway line. In U6 & U7 the player taking the kickoff may start by dribbling the ball forward. All players must be in their own half of the field. Opponents must be at least 5m from the ball until it is in play. A goal cannot be directly scored from the kickoff. It must touch at least one other player before entering the net or a goal kick will be awarded.

7. Under 6 & 7 Rules Restarts after the ball goes over the touchline (sideline). No throw-ins! Players can kick or dribble the ball in from behind the side line. Defenders must be at least 5m from the ball until it is in play. Use a ready, set, go! countdown to ensure the game keeps moving!

8. Under 6 & 7 Rules Restart after the ball crosses the goal line (back line). There is no corner kicks. Regardless of which team touched the ball last, a player from the team whose goal line the ball has crossed will place the ball anywhere along the goal line, except in the goal mouth and will pass or dribble the ball into play. The ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.

9. Under 6 & 7 Rules Ball in and out of play – The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air or when play has been stopped by the game leader.

10. Under 6 & 7 Rules All free kicks in U6 & U7 are indirect free kicks. There are no penalties or direct free kicks. An indirect free kick is where a goal can be scored only after the ball has touched another player before entering the goal. If the ball enters the goal directly from a free kick without touching another player, a goal kick is awarded.

11. Under 6 & 7 Rules A free kick awarded to the attacking team is taken from the spot the infringement occurred but shall be no closer than 5m to the goal. A free kick awarded to the defending team is taken from the spot the infringement occurred but shall be no closer than 5m to the goal.

12. Under 6 & 7 Rules Try to limit giving free kicks. Most acts of handball or fouls at this level are caused by a lack of coordination, with no intent. Only award a free kick if you believe that the player committed a serious act of handball, foul or misconduct and explain to the child that this is not the right way to behave and to not do it again.

13. Under 6 & 7 Rules Please consider that if a child picks up the ball during play it may be because they heard a whistle on a field nearby. If you are satisfied that this act was not intentional restart play with a drop ball ASAP!

14. Under 6 & 7 Test How many players per team? –4–4 Are there goalkeepers in U6 & U7? – No Is there offside in U6 & U7? – No Do they take throw ins in U6 & U7? – No, they can pass or dribble. How far away must defenders stand for a free kick or kickoff? – 5 metres. How long are the halves in U6 & U7? – 15 minutes, with a MAXIMUM 5 minute half time break.

15. Under 6 & 7 Test Are there any direct free kicks/penalties in U6 & U7? – No, there are only indirect free kicks and even these should be limited. A team has just scored a goal, where is the restart of play taken from? – From the middle of the halfway line, by the team who conceded the goal. Menai Hawks just scored a goal against the Ridgebacks. Where do the Hawks players stand for the restart of play? – At least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is kicked over the goal line by the defending team. Where is the restart of play taken from? – From anywhere on the goal line, just like a goal kick, except from in the goal mouth. Remember there is no corners in this age group!

16. Under 8 & 9 Rules The ball – Size 3 Number of players – 7v7 including a goalkeeper. A maximum of 7 players on the field from each team at any time. Players may be interchanged at anytime. Size of field – 40x30m Duration – 20 minute halves with a MAX 5 min halftime break. Offside – There is no offside.

17. Under 8 & 9 Rules Start of play & restart after a goal – A pass forward to a teammate from the middle of the halfway line. In U6 & U7 the player taking the kickoff may start by dribbling the ball forward. All players must be in their own half of the field. Opponents must be at least 5m from the ball until it is in play. A goal cannot be directly scored from the kickoff. It must touch at least one other player before entering the net or a goal kick will be awarded.

18. Under 8 & 9 Rules Restart after the ball crosses the touch line. The game is restarted with a throw in awarded to the opposition. Players face the field of play, part of each foot on or behind the line, using both hands delivers the ball from behind and over their head. For any infringement, the throw-in is awarded to the opposition. The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. For this offence an indirect free kick is awarded against the thrower.

19. Under 8 & 9 Rules Ball crossing the goal line after having last touched a defender. The game is restarted with a corner kick taken by the attacking team. The kick may be taken from up to 1m from the corner flag post, either along the back line or side line. Ball crossing the goal line after having last touched an attacker. The game is restarted with a goal kick taken from anywhere inside the penalty area.

20. Under 8 & 9 Rules Goalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball anywhere within the goal area. Once the goalkeeper has control of the ball all players, with the exception of the Goalkeeper must leave the goal area. No player can challenge the goalkeeper when they are in possession of the ball in the goal area.

21. Under 8 & 9 Rules The goalkeeper must release the ball using one of the following methods within 6 seconds of gaining control of it: – Roll or throw – Kick – BUT ONLY AFTER PLACING THE BALL ON THE GROUND

22. Under 8 & 9 Rules Fouls and misconduct – Indirect free kicks are awarded for any fouls that are committed on the field of play outside the penalty area. For deliberate acts of handball or serious fouls in the penalty area a penalty kick is awarded. This kick is to be taken from an 8 metre penalty mark with only the goalkeeper in position. All other players must be outside the penalty area and at least 5m behind the penalty mark

23. Under 8 & 9 Rules Fouls and misconduct are: – Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent – Trips or attempts to trip an opponent – Jumps at an opponent – Charges at an opponent – Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent – Pushes an opponent – Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball – Holds an opponent – Spits at an opponent – Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area)

24. Under 8 & 9 Test How many players per team? –7–7 Are there goalkeepers in U8& U9? – Yes Is there offside in U8 & U9? – No Do they take throw ins in U8 & U9? – Yes. If a goalkeeper has control of the ball how can he distribute the ball to his team? – By either rolling the ball, throwing the ball or kicking the ball off the ground within 6 seconds. How far away must defenders stand for a free kick or kickoff? – 5 metres.

25. Under 8 & 9 Test cont’d How long are the halves in U8 & U9? – 20 minutes, with a MAXIMUM 5 minute half time break. Are there any direct free kicks/penalties in U8 & U9? – Yes for any infringements that occur in the penalty area. A team has just scored a goal, where is the restart of play taken from? – From the middle of the halfway line, by the team who conceded the goal. Menai Hawks just scored a goal against the Ridgebacks. Where do the Hawks players stand for the restart of play? – At least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is kicked over the goal line by the defending team. Where is the restart of play taken from? – From within 1 metre either side of the corner flag. Cronulla Seagulls are the attacking team and they just kicked the ball over Bangor Brumbies goal line. How is play restarted? – With a goal kick, taken from anywhere in the penalty area.

26. Under 10 & 11 Rules Are the same as the U8 & U9 rules except for the following: The ball – Size 4 Number of players – 9v9 including a goalkeeper. Size of field – 60x40m Duration – 25 min halves (MAX 5 min half time break).

27. Under 10 & 11 Test How long are the halves in U9& U10? – 25 minutes, with a MAXIMUM 5 minute half time break. How many players are on the field for each team? – 9 including a goalkeeper.

28. The most important role you have being a SSF referee. MAKE SURE THE KIDS HAVE FUN AND YOU KEEP THE GAME MOVING!!!

29. Practical session

30. Coloured Vest Program Again this season all referees will wear a coloured vest while officiating. This program aims to build a more tolerant environment for beginner officials.

31. Whistles & Watches You will be issued with a whistle at the start of the season. It is your responsibility to bring it each week to the games. But if you happen to forget we have spares in the control room. You can bring your own watch or there will be some stopwatches available in the control room to borrow. MAKE SURE THEY GET PUT BACK!

32. SSF Fields Ridge Mini 5 Blue & Green Ridge Mini 6 Blue & Green Ridge Mini 7 Ridge Mini 4 Blue Ridge Mini 4 Green

33. Allocations Allocations will be posted to the website by 7pm every Wednesday night. Please double check on Friday afternoons that this hasn’t changed. BRFC tries its best to give all referees a fair chance and allocate them to an even amount of games. But this is sometimes tough.

34. Allocations Allocations will be posted to the website by 7pm every Wednesday night. Please double check on Friday afternoons that this hasn’t changed. BRFC tries its best to give all referees a fair chance and allocate them to an even amount of games. But this is sometimes tough.

35. Question Time

36. And finally.. It is not unusual for referees, young and old, to feel nervous when they go onto the field. One of the best ways to reduce the nerves and build your confidence is to read and understand all the rules. And when you know them all, read them again! Remember – to play a game we must have a referee – you are very IMPORTANT!

37. And finally.. Please remember. We are only human and we all make mistakes. If you realise you have made a mistake during the game and ball is not in play yet you can change your decision. Referees at all levels are allowed to do this. If you have any questions or problems during the season come and see me at halftime or during a game. If I can’t give you an answer straight away I will find out and get back to you. At anytime throughout the year please don’t hesitate to contact me regarding any refereeing issue you may have.