U08 and U10 pre-game checklist
Spring 2017
1) Before leaving home:
- Plan to arrive to field 30 min before game time
- If possible, check Matchtrak for home team
- Bring:
- Watch
- Ref badge
- Whistle
- Ref shirt/short/sox/shoes
- Pen
- Sunscreen
- Coin
- Water
2) Inspect field:
- Are goals anchored?
- Are 4 corner flags present?
- Any hazards on field? - Any lines missing?
- Ask ***home field coach*** to have their fields crew
correct problems (if any)
3) Meet/Greet coaches
- Check for their ID BADGE (Spring 2017)
- Remind coaches of:
- New "no header" rule
- Kickoffs CAN now go BACKWARDS
- Youth ref on field? NO TOLERANCE POLICY
- U08 == offside law will NOT be enforced
- Get their game card
- NO hand-written NAMES
- Sub's should NOT be filled in by them
(you or your AR does it before each quarter)
4) Inspect team:
- Introduce yourself & other referees
- Remind players of Safe, Fair, Fun.
- Be good sports out there!
- No necklaces / bracelets / earrings / hard-hair-clips
- Check for shin-guards.
- Ensure player numbers are written for each player
5) Tell coaches:
- Late-shows should check-in with their respective AR
- You'll call for captains soon
- Home team to provide 3 balls
(for you to inspect at center circle)
6) U10 only: Center to review the following with AR's:
- AR primary duty is staying even with 2nd-last defender
AR's are there to make the offside call
- Out-of-bounds calls are *secondary* responsibility for AR.
If unsure, hold up flag and center ref makes a decision
- "Good" goal, no offside:
==> AR should trot 10 yds up field with flag at side
- Close play at goal line:
- AR to watch for "ball over the goal line".
- Hold up flag to signal "goal" and THEN trot up the field
- AR's record sub's at beginning of each qtr
- AR's to keep backup time
- U10 = 25 min halves
- Center: Call sub break @ approx 12 min mark
- Double-check field for dogs:
- Politely ask owner to remove dog from vicinity of field
- Any other notes/comments/questions?
- The above pre-game discussion will expand/evolve
as you get more experience….
7) Perform coin toss:
- Captains shake hands
- YOU pick which team calls heads/tails
- Winner chooses side of field
- Loser kicks off
- Make a note on game card
[i.e. Red kicks towards parking lot]
- Check the 3 game balls (U08 = Size 3, U10 = Size 4)
8) Pre-kickoff:
- Blow whistle to get teams on field and ready for kickoff
- Get 1st qtr subs (AR's do this for U10 games)
- Have each team (or AR) place one of the two extra game
balls next to each goal, BEHIND the goal line
*** BEFORE you blow the whistle for kickoff*******
a) Count # of players on field for each team
(7 players, including Goalkeeper)
b) Check readiness of your AR's (U10 only)
c) Start your watch!!!!!
d) NOW blow whistle for kickoff :)
e) Have fun!