AYSO Region 84

Record of the Game

Complete the Referee wallet match report and keep for your records.
Keep track of your games as an Asst Referee or Center Referee by Age group.
Complete the game cards that each team provided using team numbers for the win/loss recording and turn them in as directed. Be sure to accurately identify the Home and Away teams.

All kick-offs require a Referee signal. To start the game this is usually a single whistle tweet.
Blow the whistle once for fouls or to stop play with appropriate intensity depending on severity and circumstances
Blow the whistle 2 times at the end of the 1st half.
Blow the whistle 3 times at the end of the 2nd half.

To keep the next games starting (and ending) on time, the clock runs on the substitution breaks.
At team check-in, politely remind coaches these are substitution breaks; not coaching sessions.
The 1st and 2nd half end when time runs out according to the Center Referee.

Always conduct a pre-game with your Assistant Referees that explains what their responsibilities are.
If "club linesman" (non-certified referees/parents) are used, only allow them to “call” in and out of touch, direction of the throw-in, but NO Offside or Fouls.
Be ready to start the check-in at least 15 minutes before game time.
If games are still being played on the field, conduct the Pre-Game, Team Check-in and coin toss off the field so that your game can start on time.

All coaches (and parents) should exhibit positive sideline behavior at all times.
Questioning or negative commenting on the Referees call/non-calls is not tolerated.
Immediately address this with the coach by having them enter the field and reminding them their support of the Volunteer Referees is requested.
Coaches are welcome and encouraged to contact the Regional Referee Administrator, Ken Bruette at KBruette@cox.net, to discuss any aspect of the officiating.
Please also report any incidents of negative sideline behavior to Ken Bruette.

This occurs infrequently in most games.
The ball merely touching the hand is not a violation regardless of where the ball drops.
Handling the ball must be deliberate intent on the part of the player.
As a general guideline, if the ball plays the hand, no foul; if the hand plays the ball, foul.
The hand is defined as the shoulder seam line on down to the fingertips.

As a general rule, the Referee should be within 10 - 15 yards of play using a bungee cord approach.
This will require some running.
The reason is simple; a Referee can't call what he/she didn't see.
If you (or your Assistant Referee) didn't see it, you can't call it.

Players can be expected to make contact with their opponents during the course of play; this is NOT a foul.
Players at the U10 level do fall down a lot trying to play the ball.

Goalkeepers put themselves at increased risk by doing what they're supposed to do.
Referees must firmly enforce no physical attack on the goalkeepers while they have possession of the ball.
This includes when the goalkeeper has one hand on the ball.

Once the ball has been placed for a goal kick in the 6 yard Goal Area, players should not pick the ball up and move it.
Verbally inform/warn players not to move the ball once it has been placed on the ground.

This is legal provided the player is NOT contacted before the ball.
A slide tackler who misses the ball is not penalized if the opponent then trips over the missed tackle when they easily could have jumped over them.

This requires a teammate to deliberately kick the ball where the goalkeeper can pick it up.
A teammate’s shanked kick does not meet the violation requirement.
The ball does not need to kicked backwards to the goalkeeper; the direction doesn't matter.

As long the player does not endanger themselves or others, there is nothing wrong with playing the ball while they are on the ground.

Wait a few seconds to be sure the violation occurs.
If in doubt, do NOT call it.
Remember, the violation is judged when the ball is last touched/played by a teammate; not when the ball is received.

If a penal foul occurs in the Penalty area against Defense, a Penalty Kick must be awarded (there is no option)
If the goalkeeper takes a small step forward off the goal line during the taking of the PK, do not penalize (in the spirit of the game).

If a goalkeeper takes a small step beyond the Penalty area (14/18 yard line), verbally warn them to watch the line).

Show respect to the players, coaches and spectators; it's the best way to earn it.
Have fun!
Smile!
Don't dwell on mistakes, but admit them upon realization