- Get to your assigned field at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Introduce yourself to the coaches, check field conditions, to make certain there are no holes,
standing water or sprinkler heads that could cause injuries.
- During your pre-game make sure you inspect the players for proper shin-guards, shirts tucked in
and that everyone removed earrings, bracelets, necklaces and wristwatches. No jewelry whatsoever may be worn.
- If the league/tournament require checking identification passes and/or rosters, do so.
- Before starting the game make sure both goalposts are securely anchored and cannot tip over.
- Conduct the coin toss with the winner selecting which goal to attack and the other team kicking off.
- All spectators must remain above the 18-yard line (Penalty Box). There should be
no one behind the goal area. If anyone in an inappropriate area
does not move when requested, ask the coach to handle the situation.
- Ask the coaches to send their respective volunteer linespersons to the referee to
receive the flag and their instructions. Introduce yourself and thank the club linespersons for volunteering
to help. Tell the volunteers which side of the field to patrol and that they are to indicate only when the
ball has completely crossed a boundary line.
- For the 3-man system, following is a checklist of items that a referee should cover with the assistant
referees. Please be as comprehensive as you can when working with inexperienced referees.
-
- Designate: senior AR, time backup/game length
- State diagonal
- Discuss Positions and Responsibilities
• Dynamic play - second-to-last defender or the ball whichever is closer to the goal line
• Stoppages: Throw-in, Corner Kick, Penalty Kick
• Good goal - eye contact, sprint 10-15 yards up the line
• Illegal goal - eye contact, go to corner and stand at attention
• Fouls: Signal (foul, direction, if IFK); behind referee (severity); penalty Area
• Ball Out of Play: Responsibility and signal
• Mirror signals
• Ask for Questions
- At the end of the contest, recover your flags and return passes.
Field Changes
If the field is switched to one nearby, the ref should go to the new field. If the ref has a subsequent
game on the first field, a representative of the home team must be present at the first field to advise the
teams that the ref will be coming back ... and that extra time may be required.
Forfeits
If the game is a forfeit, the referee gets paid for at least one game. The referee must wait for his
subsequent assignments on the field. Referee should not declare a forfeit; simply report the situation
to the League.
No Game
If the ref goes to a field and there is no game as a result of an error by the league or the Assignor,
the referee will get paid. Please advise the Assignor who will confirm the error and indicate how to
proceed to get paid.
Turnbacks
Turnback is the term for games that are accepted by the referee and the referee cannot, for whatever reason,
follow through on his/her commitment to officiate. It is important that you:
(a) alert the assignor when accepting an assignment or
(b) decline the assignment altogether if you think there is a real chance you won't actually be able to work
the game.
If things look fine when you accept the assignment but something comes up later on that makes it impossible for
you to cover the game, you must alert the assignor immediately. Do not assume that leaving a phone message
for the assignor, or sending an e-mail to him, is sufficient. It is not! Unless you actually reach the
assignor, or hear back from him, you must assume that he didn't
get your message. You must follow up!
Because even ordinary turnbacks are an administrative nuisance, you still may be assessed a "turnback fee."
If turnbacks become a recurring theme for a particular referee, more severe sanctions may become appropriate.
No Shows
"No-Shows" occur when a referee who has accepted an assignment fails to appear and referee the assigned game.
No-shows are extremely serious situations. Absent a compelling excuse, a no-show is likely to result in a
fine (as much as a full game fee) and may result in other types of sanctions (including suspension) as well.
