REFEREE GUIDELINES
THE RULES
1. You have full authority to control the game by enforcing the rules. Don’t be afraid to blow your whistle. You
should always blow your whistle as loud as you can and loudly announce your call to show that you are in charge of the game.
2. Always explain to the players why a foul was called.
3. If a player makes a foul throw-in on first attempt, quickly show them
how to make a proper throw-in and allow them a second attempt. Play goes
on if player fails to make a proper throw-in on the second attempt in
Kindergarten and First Grade games. Teams lose possession on foul
throw-in on second attempt in Second Grade games.
4. The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the goal-line or
touch-line.
5. A goal is scored when the whole ball passes over the goal line. Don't call a goal if goalkeeper has
possession of the ball but steps behind the goal line, but instruct him/her to avoid doing that.
6. Don't call a foul if goalkeeper only goes a few steps out of the penalty area with the ball but instruct him/her to avoid doing that.
7. Don't be too technical on hand-ball calls, call only clearly intentional hand-balls.
8. Players cannot kick at ball when goalkeeper has possession and must give him/her room to release the ball. Goalkeeper is
considered in possession of the ball if he or she has a hand on the ball even if it's still on the ground. Blow whistle if
necessary to prevent players from kicking at the ball. Instruct Goalkeeper to go to the end of the penalty area to release the ball.
9. Corner kicks must enter the playing field or it is to be taken over. The kicker cannot play the ball a second time
until it has touched another player. If that occurs, the corner kick should be taken over.
10. Throw-in must enter the playing field or it is to be taken again.
11. Advantage Rule: If a foul is committed but the non-offending team has the advantage, don’t blow your whistle, tell them
to “play on”.
12. If a foul or offsides is committed in the penalty area, the free kick is taken outside the penalty area in front of the goal.
13. A free kick should be given for any of the following fouls or misconduct:
a) Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;
b) Trips or attempts to trip an opponent;
c) Jumps at an opponent;
d) Charging an opponent;
e) Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent;
f) Pushes an opponent;
g) Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball;
h) Holds an opponent;
i) Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper in the penalty area);
j) Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands;
k) Slide-tackles opponent.
k) Pulls opponent's jersey.
SHOWING UP FOR GAMES
1. If you can't make a game you are scheduled to referee, with or without a partner, you should first try to find a substitute
referee from the list of referees. Someone not on the list is not allowed to be a substitute referee. If you cannot find a
substitute, you should call me as soon as possible.
2. If you fail to show up for a scheduled game without finding a substitute or calling me, you may be replaced for future
games. I have asked the coaches to let me know if a referee fails to show up for a game.
3. It may be indicated on the schedules that some games are played at Lindenwood Park field possibly at a different time than
originally scheduled. It is your responsibility to be at that field at the scheduled time.
RECORD KEEPING/GETTING PAID
1. Referee cards are available from me or at the concession stands.
2. Do not drop off completed cards at the concession stands.
3. Save any extra cards at the end of the season for next year.
4. You will not be paid for games where you are a second (unscheduled)
referee at a Kindergarten or First Grade game.
5. You must keep a separate record of games you refereed on the referee
worksheet which is available on the website. Your referee cards must
match your worksheets.
6. Mail or drop off your completed referee cards and worksheets to me at
the end of the season. Worksheets can be submitted online on the website
at the end of the season. I will mail you a check for your services as
soon as possible.
7. Rate of pay is $12.00 per game.
8. If you submit a referee card that is not fully completed, you will
not be paid for that game.
9. You will not get paid if you show-up for a game that is cancelled.
You will get paid the full amount for a game that does not finish
because of weather conditions. Do not submit a card for a cancelled game.
GAME CANCELLATION
1. You should check the website for updated game cancellation information the day before the game
and throughout the day on game day.
CRITICAL COACHES/SPECTATORS
1. Only the coaches are allowed to talk to you about the officiating but
not while the game is being played. They can make suggestions as long as
they do it in a polite manner. They
are not allowed to criticize or berate you. Let me know if anyone gives
you a hard time.
2. If a coach criticizes you, remind them in a polite way that the rules don't allow it.
3. If you are being criticized by a spectator or a spectator is acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, inform the coach that it
is his/her responsibility to make them stop.
4. Don't allow the coaches to argue with each other.
5. Always be polite and respectful when dealing with coaches and spectators.
GAME DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. You should bring to each game the following items:
1) Pen
2) Whistle
3) Referee card
4) Watch
5) Stopwatch
6) Copy of the rules
7) Copy of schedule
8) Your own water bottle
2. Don't run with your whistle in your mouth.
3. You need to get your own referee shirt.
4. After you fill-out the information on the referee card, introduce yourself to each coach and have them sign one referee card
before the game.
5. It is very important that you start the game on time, and act as
strict timekeeper throughout the game. Do not cut time off a game even
if you are running behind schedule. Only stop the game clock if there is
an injury on the field.
6. If a team has less than 8 players at the start of the game ask the coach of the other team if their team will play with the same number of players.
7. Ask the coach of the visitor’s team which goal they want to attack at
start of game. Home team takes the kick-off to start the game and the second
half. There is no coin toss at start of the game.
8. Kick-off - technical rules don't apply, any kind of kick-off works.
9. Ask the coaches to inform their spectators (if necessary) that the areas between North and South Mullally fields and
the North side of Msgr. Sullivan Field are reserved for players and coaches only and that spectators are not right allowed right behind the goal lines.
10. Goal kicks - get the ball quickly, run with it and place it at the corner of the penalty box.
11. Corner kicks - get the ball quickly, run with it and place it at the corner of the field.
12. Throw–ins – get the ball quickly, stand where throw-in is to be taken, announce who has possession, indicate the direction
of the ball by raising your arm and pointing in that direction until throw-in is made.
13. After a goal is scored, get the ball quickly, run with it and place it at the center-off spot.
14. Stop play when player falls on the ball to avoid player getting
kicked.
15. Blow your whistle to stop play when a player is injured. Restart play with free kick to team who had possession
of the ball when play was stopped.
16. Check throughout the game to make sure that each team has the correct number of players on the field.
17. Move with the play so that you are always in a position to call all fouls, ball out of bounds, goals, etc. If you
are not moving with the play, you are not doing your job.
18. You should never be farther than 15 yards from the ball. Referees at second grade games should divide the field in
two, by the length of the field, controlling their half of the field and sidelines.
19. When a player engages in unsportsmanlike conduct, warn player and the on-field coach that if the conduct continues, player won’t
be able to continue to play and a substitute must be made.
20. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes:
a) Commits numerous fouls.
b) Delays the restart of play.
c) Fails to move back 5 yards when goalkeeper has the ball, a free kick or corner kick is taken.
d) Commits a serious foul such as high kicking or slide tackling.
e) Hits or strikes an opponent.
f) Spits at an opponent.
g) Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language, trash talking.
h) Commits an intentional foul.
21. Ask coaches at the end of the first half if they want to agree not to
change ends. If one coach wants to change ends, then teams must change
ends.
22. Inform goalkeeper that he/she can run out to end of penalty box and
release ball.
23. When a foul is committed, stand where free kick is to be taken, announce your call and who has possession.
24. Move players back 5 yards when a free kick, goal kick, or corner
kick is taken.
25. When to blow your whistle:
1) To alert coaches that the game and each quarter is about to start, stand at mid-field and blow your whistle.
2) To signal kick-off at the beginning of game and each quarter.
3) When ball goes out of bounds.
4) When a goal is scored.
5) When a foul is committed.
6) Injury on the field to stop play.
7) Anytime to stop and restart play.
8) At the end of each quarter blow your whistle 3 times. |
