AYSO National Referee Program
Refereeing is Thinking
Why are we here?
• To learn practical techniques…
• To manage the older players’ game…
• For maximum safety and enjoyment!
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Key Refereeing Principles
• The game is for the players.
• Referees should adjust management:
– To deliver what the players need…
– Not what they think they need!
• “Need” is not absolute or unchanging:
– These players, these conditions, today
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Key Refereeing Techniques
• “Book” refereeing reduces options
– Do what is fair in the context of this game
• Don’t give the players what they can’t handle.
• Communicate decisions!
• Don’t interfere with legitimate playing tactics.
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Scenario 1
• BU-16. First 5 minutes. A free kick is
awarded near midfield. An opposing
player plants himself 3 yards from the
ball, hands crossed over his groin.
• What action will a “book” referee take?
• What action should the referee take?
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Scenario 2
TWEET!
A1
G
R
D
A3
A2
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D
Scenario 3
• BU-14. Blue players have only average skills, but
show that they like “tricky” stuff.
• Coach and spectators of Blue team are vocal,
freely objecting to throw-in decisions.
• During an attack near midfield, a Blue defender
is beaten by an opponent who then deliberately
trips him to stop the attack.
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Scenario 4
• BU-19. Physical match with skillful play on both sides.
Quite a few contact fouls so far, resulting in two
verbal warnings (no cards). Only mild dissent.
• 35th minute. High ball near midfield. A Red forward
and Blue defender, focused intently on playing the
ball, run toward each other at high speed while
looking upward at the ball as it descends. Both
players jump simultaneously to head the ball and
collide, chest-to-chest, falling on the ground.
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Scenario 5
• BU-19. Below average skill. Quiet, uneventful game.
Some jostling as players challenge, but no direct free
kick fouls have been whistled. No score.
• End of first half approaches. An attacker with the ball
5 yards outside the penalty area is knocked over by a
hard, clumsy charge.
• The attacker gets up quickly and “gets in the face” of
the defender who fouled him, cursing.
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Scenario 6 (part 1)
• BU-16. Hot day. Attacker is bringing the ball down
the left wing.
• Approaching the goal line, about 2 yards outside the
penalty area, the attacker drives a hard crossing pass
into a defender standing just inside the area in a
normal defensive posture.
• The ball strikes the defender’s upper right arm and
goes out over the goal line.
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Scenario 6 (part 2)
• The referee is close to play and
immediately signals for a corner kick.
• The attacker turns to the referee, holds
out his arm, points up and down it with
his other hand, and says in a sarcastic
tone, “What’s this, ref?”
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Scenario 7
• BU-14. Attacker inside the Penalty Area crosses the
ball to teammate (who is onside).
• Goalkeeper tries to intercept the pass by diving, arms
extended, for the ball.
• There is a collision between the goalkeeper and the
second attacker, who was a step closer to the ball
than the goalkeeper.
• Coach and spectators are yelling for the referee to
protect the goalkeeper.
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Recap
•
•
•
•
•
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“Book” refereeing reduces options.
Do what is fair in the context of this game.
Don’t give players what they can’t handle.
Communicate decisions!
Don’t interfere with legitimate playing
tactics.
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Goal for the Referees
Support the delivery of a great AYSO experience
for the players and others.
How will this workshop help you support this goal?
Thank you
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