AYSO Region 84

Referee Administrator - Bill Vecchio

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.

Whistle techniques

• 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.

Game Time Recording

• 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.

Pre-Game

• 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.

Mentoring

• Experienced Referees are available to mentor at any time.
• Please contact the Director of Mentors, Ron Denine, at URSRD9@aol.com.

Positive Sideline Behavior

• 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.

Handling the Ball Deliberately

• 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.

Stay with Play

• 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.

Yellow and Red Cards

• These are almost never issued at the U10 level.
• Work cooperatively with the coaches for any situations.

Soccer is a contact sport

• 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.

Goalkeeper Protection

• 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.

Goal Kick Ball Placement

• 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.

Slide Tackles

• 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.

Goalkeeper "Pass Back"

• 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.

Playing the Ball while on the Ground

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

Offside Violation

• 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.

Penalty Kicks

• 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).

Goalkeeper Kicking the Ball

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

Attitude

• 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