REFEREE UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT

 

WSRO Referee Uniform:

The primary jersey is the GOLD STRIPE (gold shirt, black stripe)

Black referee shorts

Black socks with three white stripes or black socks with USSF logo

Black cleats or soccer shoes

The primary alternate jersey, if the GOLD STRIPE shirt conflicts with the colors of one of the teams, is the BLACK STRIPE >>>>>>> (black shirt, white stripe).

 

Referees who do games year-round should have jerseys that are both short and long sleeved.

 

Referees may also wear the RED STRIPE jersey (red shirt, black stripes) or the BLUE STRIPE (blue shirt, black stripe) if reffing alone, or if the ARs also wear the same.

 

The new green shirt is being phased in and may be worn.

 

Please also note that a new “double-striped” style has been introduced.  It is not necessary to wear this new style.  Referee and ARs in the same game should strive to wear the same color shirt.

 

Shirts tucked in at all times !!

 

WSRO Referees Should Bring To The Game The Following Equipment:

 

Additional equipment suggested:

     Carrying bag

     Air pump (small)

     Tape

     Sunscreen

     Water

     Towel

     Gloves

     Bug spray

 

A hat is not approved referee gear and should only be used when absolutely necessary.

 

Cold Weather Guidelines:  The objective is to maintain a professional and consistent look among all our referees, while keeping yourself warm in the cold weather.

 

If you have a short sleeve referee shirt and need to wear something under it to stay warm - wear either black or a color that exactly matches the shirt you are wearing.  You may also want to purchase a long sleeve referee shirt for your wardrobe.  Gloves - black in color and I would suggest a glove that affords you dexterity while wearing them.  Leg coverings, such as thermal underwear - black and under your sock and shorts.  Hats - wear a black wool ski cap.  Warm-ups - you can wear black or other USSF approved warm-ups over your legs.

 

 

Places to get ref equipment:

Official Sports (www.officialsports.com)

Score Sports (www.scoresports.com)

Doss 92nd Street NYC

Europsport (www.soccer.com) or www.refgear.com

Hewlett Soccer Shop, Hewlett, Long Island, hewlettsoccer@earthlink.net;

    516 374-3251

 

 

What’s in your bag?

What's in Your Bag was written by Phil Houk, the SECJSA Coordinator for Referee Development.  Posted with permission of the author.

When a referee arrives at a playing field, everyone who is already there, players, coaches, spectators, begin their speculation and assessment as to how this person will handle their match. They first notice his/her appearance: how does his uniform look? did he shave today? does he/she look lost, apprehensive? what's in the bag he/she is carrying? Few people, aside from other referees perhaps, actually go through this checklist consciously, but each has his own questions in the back of his mind.

If a referee shows up with no equipment bag, I have to wonder how well prepared he/she really is. I know that many refs, especially experienced ones who have to assist (run a line), know that they really don't need much, and in their experience, they seldom if ever have had to produce something other than themselves.   But, what if ....?

It's my opinion that anyone assigned to a match, whether it is the middle or assistant, should arrive at the field and be fully ready to take charge of the match. This means with whistle, cards, flags, etc. For this reason, I always bring my full bag, no matter what the occasion. Here's what I carry to each and every game in which I participate:

Referee equipment: whistle & spare, watch & spare, cards, linesman flags, notebook, flip coin, pens/pencils.

Uniform: besides the one in which I am fully dressed with current registration badge, alternate jersey (sleeves seasonal), extra socks, black hat, gloves.

Other stuff: sun blocker, insect repellent, glasses cleaner, umbrella, first-aid booklet, law book, towel, water bottle full of something, a practice pinnie (in case there is a need to differentiate a goalkeeper's shirt), eyeglass strap, ball pump, and often a pair of shinguards (in case of player shortfall).

Most days, I don't need all of this equipment, but on some occasions I have needed them all. It becomes especially important when you travel to a tournament away from home and expect to do four or more matches. It goes back to the old saying: "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have." Players, coaches, spectators, and fellow refs are impressed when you can say, "Yeah, I have one of those," or "Here, borrow this one, it's an extra." It tells everyone that you take your position seriously and you are giving nothing less than your best, no matter what the competition. Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression. What's in your bag?