1. HOT TOPICS Instructor Notes (30 min.)
1) Make these singular items a series of “2-minute drills”.
2) These topics will be more of a lecture series of short lecture points … need to solicit the referee community’s help in supporting these topics by actively participating, i.e. observe, report deficiencies when they occur, speak-up, be pre-active, etc.

2. 2017 Ohio South Grade Referee Test
NOTE: Answers are to be based on the FIFA Laws of the Game. More than one answer may be correct for any of the following questions.
copy of your answer sheet to at least 24-hours prior to clinic session.
Very few of participants (Less than 25%) followed these directions.

3. 2017 Ohio South Referee ReCert Training
HOT TOPICS

4. USSoccer will no longer provide individual Laws of the Game books to referees, as has been done in the past.
You may go on-line and
1) download your own copy FIFA Law book … or
2) order a copy from the USSoccer Store for $5.39.
Monthly “Referee Program Updates” are being sent out to each of you monthly.
“Advice to New Referees” YouTube Videos will be released each month.

5. Administrators, Assessors, Assignors, Instructors and Referees are constantly going out and observing games in an effort to find new and upcoming referees.
Unfortunately, during that process we have found an alarming number of everyday deficiencies being committed by experienced referees (i.e. not just new and younger officials), who should know better.
“HOT TOPICS” are the negative results of those observations.

6. SAFETY Failure to check if goals are adequately anchored
… do not assume referee crew in earlier game has check the goals
… it is your responsibility to check goals each and every game including tournament games
… DO NOT start the game if goals are not securely anchored.
Foul Recognition

7. … Looking Unprofessional
LAW 5
Improper Uniforms
… Looking Unprofessional
Shirts not tucked in
Different color jerseys
No badge
Wearing jewelry
Socks not pulled up
Foul Recognition

8. LAW 5 Game Assignments … Contractual Obligations (Ethics)
League, Tournament and Academy assignments
Turn-backs
No Shows
Accepting / Scheduling too many games
Foul Recognition

9. SAFETY Athletic Trainers – Concussions / Injuries
Referee must not abdicate their responsibility
Interacting with trainers –
ask the right questions (i.e. regarding concussion symptoms)… not “is she ok to play?”
realize trainers may be restricted from giving you a direct answer
Referee is the ultimate authority as to whether a player is able to continue play or not.
Foul Recognition

10. SAFETY Failure by Referee to check injured player is not acceptable:
… always check player’s status (even when trainer is available)
… be concussion conscious
… any injury, not just concussion
… separate “initial” observation from “sideline” observation
Foul Recognition

11. STOP immediately … SAFETY
Lightning/Thunder
STOP immediately … SAFETY
… seen or heard
… and/or detector
Restart only AFTER 30-minutes or detector (whichever occurs last)
Foul Recognition

12. Someone is always watching
LAW 5
Lack of Professionalism
…. Referee being abusive toward coaches and/or players
Keep comments short, direct and non-punishing
Avoid shouting across field
Don’t threaten
Someone is always watching
Foul Recognition

13. LAW 5 Interacting with Sidelines
…. ARs - do NOT engage coaches or spectators - get attention of the Referee
… Referees – do NOT engage spectators – Ask / Tell coaches to deal with their sideline misbehavior.
… Referees – protect your ARs
Foul Recognition

14. LAW 5 Sidelines - Out-of-Control
Referees need to step up and deal with the problem … becoming more serious and threatening in nature:
do not ignore
use Ask/Tell/Dismiss procedures thru the coaches
directly Dismiss, but again thru the coaches
report problems to Assignor and/or Administrators
Foul Recognition

15. Touching the Ball is only way to be actively involved
LAW 11
OFFSIDE:
Common Misconception ….
Touching the Ball is only way to be actively involved
Foul Recognition

16. LAW 11
OFFSIDE:
“Interfering with Play” requires actual contact with the ball.
HOWEVER….“Touching the ball” is not required for calling offside if the attacker is “Interfering with an Opponent” by making a movement or gesture which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts that opponent.
In effect when “movement” causes “movement”, call the offense, don’t wait. 16