1. Spring 2015 Referee Meeting
League Specifics and Points of Emphasis

2. Points of Emphasis
Referee Procedures
Substitutions
Restarts
Offsides

3. Referee Procedures
Professionalism is the key. If you do not carry out your procedures properly, you will not be respected.

4. Referee Procedures Be Prepared Have the proper equipment Keep Time
Shoes, Shirts, WHISTLE, WATCH, PEN
Keep Time
Both officials should keep time
If asked “There are ABOUT ____ minutes left

5. Referee Procedures Be Clear Verbally identify calls
Signal calls visually
You should be seen and heard by all participants in the game (players, coaches, fans).

6. Be outside the ball! Remember you have to see if the ball is out!!
Positioning
Be outside the ball! Remember you have to see if the ball is out!!

7. Each referee is responsible for one sideline and one goal line.
Two Man System
Each referee is responsible for one sideline and one goal line.

8. FIT / EXPERIENCED / ACTIVE
Movement
FIT / EXPERIENCED / ACTIVE
Cover the entire field

9. Referee Procedures Know the rules Explain your decisions when asked
Use the phrase “In my opinion…”
Know Offsides
Know your restarts
When to use each and what are the violations.

10. Substitutions
Subs are only allowed to enter with permission of the referee.
Do not allow coaches to make this decision.
Subs must enter from the halfway line
make sure to instruct the coaches to place subs at the flag.
Be sure to review procedures with the coaches before every game.

11. Substitutions cont. Replacing the Goalkeeper
Can switch with another player at any stoppage
Referee must be notified
Infringement - discuss with coach and switch back
Caution both players for second offense

12. Restarts
The ball must entirely cross the line before it is out of play. You need to be in the correct position to make this decision.
Throw-ins: Two feet down, ball back behind the head
U8 - rethrow first violation then play on after that.

13. Restarts cont. Goal Kicks must leave the box
take as many tries as needed
Kickoffs must be played forward
If you do not call these, you will lose credibility.

14. Direct Free Kick or Penalty Kick
Major Fouls
Ptooey!
Spitting
Pushing
Holding
Deliberately Handling*
Striking
Charging Dangerously
Direct Free Kick or Penalty Kick
Kicking
Tackling – getting player before ball
Tripping
Jumping At

15. Indirect Free Kicks By the GK:
Handling ball deliberately kicked by teammate
Handling ball from throw-in by teammate
Handling ball having previously released into play
Holding ball more than 6 seconds
All Players:
Preventing GK from releasing ball into play
Playing in a dangerous manner
Impeding an opponent
Any other infraction not previously mentioned

16. Drop Ball Injured player (if ball is in play)
Ball can be dropped to a single player
Outside interference (ball or person)
Severe weather (if ball in play)

17. Offsides YOU HAVE TO IN CORRECT POSITION TO MAKE THIS CALL!!!
In line with the second to last defender or the first attacker.

18. Offsides cont. 3 Elements Location - in the opposing half of the field
Timing - When the ball is played by a teammate
Involvement - player receives the ball or distracts an opponent
Being in an offside position is not an offense

19. Offsides cont.
You can not be offsides if the ball has gone out of play
Throw-in
Goal Kick
Corner Kick

20. League Specifics No Slide Tackles
The players are free to leave their feet to play the ball.
They CANNOT leave their feet to challenge for the ball
1st offense = warning
2nd offense = card

21. League Specifics Goals cannot be scored from a kick-off
All u-8 free kicks are indirect.

22. League Specifics u8 - 4v4 with 12 minute quarters
u10 - 6v6 with 25 minute halves
u12 - 8v8 with 30 minute halves

23. Visit the parents at halftime.
Remember
COMMUNICATION is KEY!!!
Communication with the game participants will make your job easier and help everyone learn the game.
Visit the parents at halftime.