1. Completing a Game Report
Introduction to Documenting and Writing a Game Report
At the end the referee should know: Why reports are important
The important parts of the report When to write a game report
How to complete the report
Where to file the report

2. Introduction to USSF report
The completion and submission of reports is an important duty of an official. If required by the competition, the U.S. Soccer Referee Report can be used to submit standard game information.
U.S. Soccer Referee Report Cautionable and Sending-Off Offenses
If needed, and in addition to the U.S. Soccer Referee Report, the U.S. Soccer Supplemental Referee Report can be used for instances of referee assault, referee abuse, dismissal of team officials, sending-off offenses, serious injuries, game abandonment or other substantial occurrences.

3. Purpose Reporting Writing is important because:
It enables league officials to monitor and manage their league
It improves fair play and safety
It provides protection for the referee and league when actions need to be taken
It promotes professionalism

4. Purpose Reporting Writing is required because:
It’s a Referee’s responsibility
• Law 5 states that the referee has the responsibility to:
Acts as timekeeper & records game
File a game report
Competition authorities need information
Future disciplinary actions are based upon the report

5. Do’s and Don'ts Do Don’t Focus on the facts Be clear and concise
Work with the referee team
Don’t
Speculate
Insert opinion
Make disciplinary suggestions

6. Remember the A,B,C A
Be ACCURATE - in reporting the incident avoid confusing or conflicting statements. Make sure the stated offense matches the incident described. Double-check the player information

7. Remember the A,B,C B
Be BRIEF - you are required to report only the incident leading to the caution or sending off. Information about the state of the playing surface or climatic conditions should be included ONLY if you feel they play a part in the incident described.

8. Remember the A,B,C C
Be CLEAR - stick rigidly to a description of the incident, e.g. a kick in the groin, a punch in the face, etc.; it is not for you to pass judgment. The Disciplinary Committee will make a judgment from the information you provide.

9. Writing
In the presentation of your report, try to make sure that what you write is legible, correctly spelled and punctuated.

10. Assistance
If you are uncertain of what you have written ask for review by: Paul Golder Dennis LaVersa Randy Ellis Go to for contact information

11. Offense versus Incident
You must differentiate between the "offense" and the "incident" when making a report.

12. Offense versus Incident
An "offense" is a classification according to the laws of the game of a player’s misconduct (ref. the USSF Misconduct Information)

13. Offense versus Incident
An "incident" is what the player actually did at the time he committed the offense.

14. When does the Recording Begin?
Pre Game
Date
Starting time of match
Name of Teams
Assistant Referees Names
Field Condition
Weather Condition

15. Game Report
Game information
Disciplinary actions
Any additional events from before, during and after the game

16. During Game Goals Team Time
(taking the time to record accurately during the game improves accuracy of the report – however – this should not significantly delay the restart of the game)

17. Specific game information includes Who
Game Reporting
Specific game information includes
Who
Player
Name
Number
Team Personnel (if applicable)
other
Fan name or associated team

18. Specific game information includes
Game Reporting
Specific game information includes
What
Specific actions (incident)
Identify the action used to deal with the incident
Time of incident
Identify any issues involving spectators or Team personnel which required action as part of zero tolerance policy

19. Specific game information includes
Game Reporting
Specific game information includes
Where
On/Off the field
When
Before/After game
during game or stoppage
Offense
• 7 – 7

20. During Game Major Injuries What should be recorded during the game
Player Name
Time
Type of Injury
Cause of injury - if known
(taking the time to record accurately during the game improves accuracy of the report – however – this should not significantly delay the restart of the game)

21. During Game Cautions What When Who
What should be recorded during the game
Cautions
What
When
Who
(taking the time to record accurately during the game improves accuracy of the report – however – this should not significantly delay the restart of the game)

22. Game Reporting How - Be Specific using official FIFA language For Cautions
Misconduct Description
P persistently infringes the Laws of the Game (PI)
U is guilty of unsporting behavior (UB)
D shows dissent by word or action (DT)
D delays the restart of play (DR)
L deliberately leaves the field without the referee’s permission (L)
E enters or re-enters the field without the referee’s permission (E)
D fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick (FRD)

23. During Game Send Offs Who What When
What should be recorded during the game
Send Offs
Who
What
When
(taking the time to record accurately during the game improves accuracy of the report – however – this should not significantly delay the restart of the game)

24. Game Reporting How - Be Specific using official FIFA language For Send Offs
Abbreviation Offense
VC is guilty of violent conduct
DGH denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball
S spits at an opponent or any other person
2CT receives a second caution in the same match
DGF denies obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty uses
AL offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
SFP is guilty of serious foul play

25. During Game
What should be recorded during the game
ASK
TELL
SEND

26. During Game What should be recorded during the game Other issues
delays due to weather
outside interference
Length of first and second halves including added time
(taking the time to record accurately during the game improves accuracy of the report – however – this should not significantly delay the restart of the game)

27. Game Reporting Post Game Conference with Assistant Referees
o Review game issues including major incidents – Player’s involved – Specific facts of the game
o Resolve any differences of facts that weren’t resolved during the game
Write the report as soon as practical after the game

28. Game Report Writing When
Good Practice - SSSL Games Must file an online card report on “Referee’s Corner” for any game involving a caution or send off.
Must complete an online report in “Arbiter” and a USSF Referee Report sending copies to SSSL referee administrator for any send offs, serious injuries, parental or coach issues, which involved zero tolerance or necessitate suspending or abandoning a match. (This does not include temporary stoppage due to weather)
Must complete for Referee Assault.

29. Game Reporting
Complete sentences describing the incident and offense which summarize the outcome of the incident, the game and the results
If the incident require immediate notification (Assault of referee) was that done?

30. Game Reporting How For Example - Rebels against Blackbirds - U14 Boys
At 21:35 player #4 for the Rebels was cautioned for unsporting behavior (UB) when he grabbed the shirt of an opponent preventing them from gaining control of the ball. Three minutes of time was added on the first half. At 44:14 in the second half player # 6 for the Blackbirds was sent off preventing a goal by deliberately handling the ball. Four minutes of time was added to the second half
The remainder of the game was played without further incident.
The rebels won 2-1 with specifics stated above.