Keys to Success for a Center Referee

What We’ll Cover The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed Countdown to Kickoff – Timing is Everything Your #1 Job – Player Safety Starting the Match The Top 5 Complaints From Coaches Your Position – Key to Making the Right Call After the Final Whistle

The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed Lay Out Your Uniform & Equipment – Jersey, Shorts, Socks, Shoes, Watch, Badge, Whistle, 2 Pens, 2 Coins, Game Wallet with Filled Out Game Sheet, Pre-Game Timing Cheat Sheet Review – Law Book and Modifications for Your Game, Length of Each Half, Number of Players, Ball Size, Field Location and Time of Game

Countdown to Kickoff – Timing is Everything 30 min – arrive at field, stow bag behind a goal, inspect field especially goal anchors, check goal wheels to make sure the front wheels are pushed back, check corner flags 20 min – greet coaches, get game card from home coach and have visiting coach enter their roster and sign, start player inspections when all of 1 team is present; for U9-12 house matches, meet with field marshal and have field marshal sign game card 5 min – coin toss & get 3 game balls from home coach 1 min – whistle out teams, count players (8 for U9-11, 11 for all else) 0 min – start watch, check that watch is actually started, point direction and blow whistle (hard)

Your #1 Job – Player Safety Before the Match Ensure Goals Are Anchored – Check Before Every Match, Not Just the 1 st One Sprint to All Injured Players – If the Injury Is Serious Call the Coach on Immediately – If Not, Ask the Player if They Want to Go Off – Call the Coach on if They Do Want to Leave – Do Not Touch the Player

Your #1 Job – Player Safety Checking In the Players – There Are No Player Passes for U9-14 House – No Jewelry: Only 2 Exceptions – Medic Alert & Religious – Medic Alert Should Be Taped, but Leave Logo Uncovered. – Religious Jewelry Should Be Taped – Socks Must Completely Cover Shin Guards – No Baseball or Football Cleats – No Hard Plastic or Metal Hair Clips – No Sunglasses Unless Prescription – No Hard Billed Caps for the Keeper, No Caps for Field Players – Keepers in Different Colored Shirts from Either Team

Starting the Match Count the Players Keepers in Position Make Sure Your Watch is Set for the Correct Duration of the Half Start Your Watch Look to Make Sure It’s Running Point Direction and Blow Whistle Hard

The Top 5 Complaints From Coaches Not Calling Fouls Weak Whistle Not Calling Offside Not Enforcing Distance on Goal Kicks and Free Kicks (6 yards for U9-10) Not Signaling Direction on Throw-ins and Fouls

Your Position – Key to Making the Right Call Behind and Left – So You Can See the Ball, the Goal & Your AR 10 Yard Rubber Band – Close Enough to Make the Correct Call, Far Enough to Not Interfere with Play If the Ball Is Moving, You Should Be Moving Exceptions to Behind and Left – Get in the Landing Zone on Free Kicks – Stay on the Field

After the Final Whistle Exhale! You Did It! Wait to Shake Hands with the Players & Coaches Complete Game Card and give to Winning Coach (Home Coach if Match Ended in a Tie) If Your Mentor or Another Senior Referee Was Watching Your Match Get Their Feedback Think of 2 Things You Want to Do Better Next Time At Home, Save Your Game Sheet in Case the Coaches Disagree on the Final Score

What We Covered – Any Questions? The Night Before Your Match – Prepare to Succeed Countdown to Kickoff – Timing is Everything Your #1 Job – Player Safety Starting the Match The Top 5 Complaints From Coaches Your Position – Key to Making the Right Call After the Final Whistle