1. Copyright SAY 2001 Updated 8/2008
SAY Referee
Training Syllabus
LAWS:
5 - 6
Copyright SAY Updated 8/2008
Written By: The SAY National Rules & Referees Committee
Charles Keaney, Director of Officials

2. LAW 5: Referees The minimum topics to be covered are:
If a 2 whistle or 3 whistle system is used then the duties of the officials are as described in Law 5 , as well as including the additional duties as described in Law 6.
Special Note to Trainer: This is a perfect time to go over Mechanics and Techniques.
Refereeing Youth Soccer by Roland Bedard will give you all the material you need for this subject matter. It may also be helpful to have a few experienced referees available while going over this subject. If you are going to have an outdoor, on field, training session, you will no doubt be covering some of the aspect of Mechanics and Techniques. By blending the two sessions together along with the overheads and handouts, this most important subject can be covered in about one hour of class time. Since this is really the nuts and bolts of training a new referee, the time should be made available to cover it completely.
The minimum topics to be covered are:
Proper field positioning
Selling the call; voice, demeanor, whistle, and signals
Referee/Assistant Referee equipment and dress (handout)
Before game inspection of field (handout)
Before game line up and talk (handout)
How referees and assistant referees work together as a team
How to issue a “warning,” “caution,” and “ejection”
Record keeping: time, score, cards and reports
LAW 5: Referees SLIDES

3. Referee Equipment Referee Mandatory Equipment Whistle Stop Watch
Pen and Pencil
Coin
Red and Yellow Cards
Game Card
Uniform
Flags
LAW 5: Referees 1 of 10 4

4. One Referee system generally used in younger small-sided games.
The system of officiating is the choice of the leagues and typically depends upon the ages of the players.
One Referee system generally used in younger small-sided games.
Two Referees each with a whistle is the usual officiating system used in younger recreational games.
The Diagonal System of Control (One Referee with two ARs) is the commonly used officiating system for older youth games.
The Three Referee system, although acceptable, is generally not used in recreational youth games.
LAW 5: Referees 2 of 10

5. Is responsible for making sure that the game is Safe, Fun and Fair
Referee
Is responsible for making sure that the game is
Safe, Fun and Fair
Needs to work with Assistant Referees to
enforce the laws
Should not call minor offenses that do not affect
the game unless necessary to maintain
control.
Should discuss responsibilities with Assistant
Referees prior to game time.
LAW 5: Referees 3 of 10

6. The center Referee has authority over the Assistant Referees
Referee may choose not to accept the call of the
Assistant Referees
LAW 5: Referees 4 of 10

7. ROLE OF REFEREES The role of the Referee is to: Enforce the laws
Approve the ball
Approve the players’ equipment
Keep the time
Record Goals, Cautions, and Ejections
Stop the game for infringement of the laws
Stop the game for injuries
The younger the players, the faster the game
needs to be stopped
LAW 5: Referees 5 of 10

8. The role of the Referee, (continued)
The decision of the Referee is final
Only the Referee may change the decision if the game
has not yet restarted
May invoke the advantage clause … if appropriate
Whistle must not have blown
Signal to “Play On” must be given, as well as
verbal call made
May be reversed, if advantage does not develop
Generally advantage should not be applied within
the Penalty Area, if the alternative is a penalty kick.
LAW 5: Referees 6 of 10

9. May issue a yellow card for a Caution
When cautioning a player or substitute, display a yellow card .
LAW 5: Referees 7 of 10

10. May issue a red card for an ejection
When ejecting a player or substitute, display a red card
LAW 5: Referees 8 of 10

11. Only the referee may suspend or terminate a match
LAW 5: Referees 9 of 10

12. The referee shall only allow players on the field
Coach and parents are allowed with the referee’s
permission
The referee shall report
All ejections, terminations, suspensions, and
no shows
LAW 5: Referees of 10

13. LAW 6: Assistant Referees 4 SLIDES
If you use the diagonal system of control, there will be a center referee and two neutral assistant referees who are trained for that position.
This section deals with both the neutral assistant referee and the club linesperson when no neutral assistant referee is available
LAW 6: Assistant Referees 4 SLIDES

14. Assistant Referees are permitted to signal:
After the ball has gone completely over a touch-
line or goal-line for a
Throw-in
Goal
Corner-kick
Goal-kick
LAW 5: Referees 1 of 4

15. Misconduct or fouls the Referee cannot see
They also signal for
Offside
Misconduct or fouls the Referee cannot see
They also signal for and handle substitutions
The Referee has the authority to overrule any signals by the Assistant Referee.
The Assistant Referee is not permitted to issue yellow or red cards.
LAW 5: Referees 2 of 4

16. The Assistant Referees will help the Referee
Inspect the field and nets
Inspect the players
Select the game ball
Keep back-up time
Keep back-up records of the game
In game control
LAW 5: Referees 3 of 4

17. They are only permitted to signal when the ball has gone out of play
In either the two referee system or the diagonal system, should a situation occur where a club linesperson becomes necessary, they can be selected from volunteers from the spectators
They are only permitted to signal when the ball
has gone out of play
The referee will make all the determinations as to which team last played the ball
Very often, it is less of a problem not to use club linespeople
They may appear to be partial
They get over involved and start making calls
LAW 5: Referees 4 of 4