1. Policies & Procedures Specific to Utah Youth Soccer Games For Referees

2. Professionalism
Be at the field and ready minutes prior to game time
Check in Players 15 minutes prior to kick off, make sure all players and coaches are listed on Rosters
Start the game on time

3. Officiating Teams NO dual system of control!!!
( i.e. two center referees or two-man system )
If you do, teams can protest the game.
There is no USSOCCER liability coverage if you referee using the dual system of control.
Just Don’t Do It!

4. Law 1 - Field of Play
Within 15 minutes after the scheduled time of the game, the field must have nets on both goals, have corner flags in all four corners and properly marked lines.
Failure to have properly sized marked fields and goals, and nets and corner flags must result in the field non-compliance being reported in the match report.
(See Following Procedure)
Stress if the team waves any of these requirements they can not change their mind ………………..when they start to be defeated.

5. Law 1- Field of Play Non-Compliance Procedure
If there is a field issue:
The concerned coach will inform the referee about non- compliance of UYSA rules.
The referee will advise the home field coach about the issue and provide an opportunity to fix it, if possible.
If not, game should still be played
Both coaches must sign the signature line on the bottom of the Game Day Roster and identify the non- compliance
Referee starts the match, keeps the roster, and includes the non-compliance in the match report indicating that both coaches signed the roster

6. Law 4 - Player’s Equipment
Home = DARK Away = LIGHT
The two teams must wear colors that distinguish them from each other (jerseys and socks )
The home team should be in their dark colors (jerseys only)
The away team must be in their lighter colors (jerseys only)
If there is a conflict with colors the home team shall change (jerseys an/or socks)
Stress if they wave requirement once game starts they may not change.

7. Law 4 - Player’s Equipment
Players must wear the same color sock on both feet.
Tape should be the same color as the sock (2012 amendment)
Team colors will be listed on the Game Day Roster
No Jewelry / Not even if taped
Medical Alert items may be worn, however they must be taped down.

8. Game Day Rosters
Each Team must bring at least one (1) copy of the Team’s roster to the game to be provided to the referee
Rosters must be submitted by 15 minutes after the scheduled kick off time or abandon match
Do not begin match without rosters from both teams.
Referee will abandon the match and submit applicable reasons in report
Referee should never declare a Forfeit

9. Updated rosters may not be submitted after the game has started.
Game Day Rosters
If a team has made changes to their roster within 24 hours of kick-off, they must bring one (1) copy of the Team’s roster to the game.
One copy will be provided to the referee.
Failure to provide an updated roster to the referee will make the players affected by the roster change ineligible to play the game.
Updated rosters may not be submitted after the game has started.

10. Game Day Rosters
Referee must compare both rosters to make sure they match (players and coaches) (Use the most updated roster)
All players and coaches must have their photograph on the game day roster to participate
No Photo - No Play! No means No!
At least one coach must appear on the game day roster and be present for the duration of the game or the game must be abandoned
Team parents and other bench personnel cannot fill in for an absent coach, even if they have pictures on the roster
Stress if they wave requirement once game starts they may not change.

11. Game Day Rosters
Players not on the roster may sit on bench if their parents are not present
Non-rostered players are under supervision of the coach and may not wear a jersey on the bench
Electronic versions of the game day roster are not allowed under any circumstances.
Updated rosters may not be submitted after the game has started

12. New U9 & U10 Policy
U9 & U10 matches require a Sideline Marshall to be present for each team
The Sideline Marshall may or may not have a UYSA Credential but someone has to be designated as such.
The Sideline Marshall is responsible to promote responsible behavior by spectators.

13. Sideline Policy
Stress if they wave requirement once game starts they may not change.

14. Referee Safety Policy Referee Safe Zone 10 yards from Home team bench
10 yards on both sides of center line
Stress if they wave requirement once game starts they may not change.

15. Respect Major Emphasis from UYSA
Respect is the collective responsibility of everyone involved in soccer to create a fair, safe, and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place.

16. Respect
Players - Respect your coaches, respect your teammates and opponents, respect the spectators, and respect the referees.
Coaches - Respect your players, your opponents, the spectators, and respect the referees.
Spectators - Respect the players, coaches and please respect the referees.

17. Respect Referees - Respect the coaches, players, and the spectators
Referees are held to the same, if not a higher standard of expectations of respecting the other participants in the game (players and coaches)
We are the professionals

18. Shut Up! Just don’t say it!
I put this slide in because Scott says that these two words are just as bad as using the “F” word. It’s sets coaches off the same way. Just don’t say it. Us the Ask, Tell, Dismiss approach instead.

19. Pre-game Hand Shake
To help eliminate referee abuse, reduce red cards after a match, and to improve sportsmanship
Prior to starting a match, officials and players (subs may be included) line up on the field or sideline and shake hands. 
At the end of the game the officials will move to a neutral spot on the field, away from teams
Teams may participate in any post-game hand-shake, if desired, without referees
Referees are still responsible to observe any post-game misconduct and handle appropriately
Who goes first on a handshake?

20. Dismissing Coaches
Coaches are to be dismissed for irresponsible behavior before and during a match. However, a Red Card is not to be shown.
Red Cards for coaches must be entered into the system as ‘CE’ Coach Ejection
After the match is over, if a coach acts in a irresponsible behavior which warrants a send off, a Red Card is to be shown

21. Substitution’s UYSA Policy
Substitutions may be made at the following times:
The possessing team may substitute prior to its own throw-in
Both teams may substitute if both teams have a substitute ready at the halfway line prior to a throw-in by either team
Either team may substitute an unlimited number of players at the following times:
Prior to a goal kick by either team;
After a goal by either team;
After an injury to either team when the referee stops play;
At halftime
A Cautioned player may be substituted, however only that player may be substituted at that time

22. Match Reports
Game reports are to be submitted in UYSA’s Affinity System within forty-eight (48) hours
Assistant referees can submit a report and match review after 48 hours if referee has not done so
Cautions and/or send-offs MUST be reported within twenty-four (24) hours
Reports must be submitted within twenty-four (24) hours at the end of a pay period
If the Affinity system is not accessible, call UYSA ( ) leave a voic if necessary.

23. Match Reports Choose the correct option for Send-Offs
Coaches – Use “Coach Send-off” option
Players – Select from menu of possible options
2nd Cautions – Select “Send-off – 2 Cautions”
Do not use “Concussion Codes” in your report
(Those are for coaches only)
Make sure to report who scored each goal!
Make sure to also fill out Match Review
(This is how you get paid!)

24. When only one team shows up, report the game as abandoned
Pay for Abandoned Game
Referees will now receive “Full Pay” for any game that is abandoned for any reason
When only one team shows up, report the game as abandoned
Do Not declare a Forfeit! Referee is still required to submit a Report indicating why the game was not played and fill out the Match Review.
if teams decide to have a scrimmage do not offer to referee it, that could be construed to be a “Official Game”