Referee Administration
Area Referee Administer
John Price
(256) 213-1969
Chet Wright
Referee Uniform
• Proper Referee Jersey (short or
long sleeve)
• Jersey tucked in
• Black shorts
• Black socks with three white
stripes pulled up
• Proper AYSO badge
• Dark shoes
• Other jersey colors OK
(officials must match)
Referee Information
• Ensure You Report to Check-In Prior to
Start of Games
• Referees must sign up for games in
Sportacus – Don’t just show up at the
field
• Enjoy meeting referees from other
regions
Game Cards
• Roll call players from roster during player
inspection
• Players not on roster do not play
• Enter player numbers if not on card
• Referee (may delegate to ARs) maintains
cards during game, fill in game info
(score, players sitting, etc.)
• Both coaches & all referees should
verify game cards and sign
• Referee brings game cards to soccer
central after game (may delegate to AR or
coach)
Youth Referees
• Zero tolerance for harassment
• Must have an authoritatively
capable adult at game
Referee Minimum Age Guidelines
Division Ref Age Asst Ref Age
U10
13
12
U12
15
13
U14
17
15
U16
no youth
17
U19
no youth
no youth
Game Equipment
• Fields will have
– Balls
– Pennies *check-in area
– First Aid Kit
– Ball Pump *check-in area
(8.5 - 15.6 psi, target: ~12 psi)
• Bring your own flags
Start & End On Time
• Start Games on Time
• Sunset on Saturday is at 4:42 PM
• No waiting for teams, forfeit if they are
late (forfeits must be verified with
Tournament Director)
• Finish the game on time
• Substitution breaks should be 1 minute
• Halftime should be 5 minutes
Minimum Players
• Each team must have the minimum
number of players ready to field at game
start time
• U10 – 5 minimum to play
• U12 – 6 minimum to play
• U14 and higher – 7 minimum to play
OT and KFTM
• Indicated by “Semi-final”, “Consolation”
and “Championship” on Sportacus.
• Two 5 minute overtime (OT) periods (no
golden goal) followed by KFTM if needed
• OT: coin toss, kick off, no substitution
breaks, kick off after the first “half”, swap
sides, etc.
• Only players on the field at the end of OT
will be eligible to participate in KFTM
• Review KFTM Checklist
http://ayso894.us/files/Referees/KFTM_Checklist.pdf
Check Players
• Regular rules on player equipment
• Should not have duplicate numbers –
Report it but let them play
• Eye glasses and knee braces (allows
movement) are OK
• Splints/Casts (immobilizes) are an
absolute NO NO
• Cold weather, check the rules, jersey
must be showing
• Referee makes final decision as to what
equipment is safe, and therefore allowed
Legal Soccer Cleats
Illegal Cleats
Referee Information (cont)
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•
•
•
•
•
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Fun, Fair, Safe
Avoid trifling stoppages
What you don’t call you encourage
Referee has the whistle, don’t argue
No coaching from the spectators
Area staff will not overrule the referee
Alabama Code - Section 13A-11-144
– Harassment of a sports official is a Class B
misdemeanor
Spectators
• No coaching from the spectators
• Remain behind the spectator control line
and between the penalty areas
• Act positively around players
• Respect for opponents, officials and all
other volunteers.
• Noise-makers, air horns, etc. – Law 5
– If having a negative effect on the game, they
are outside interference and may be disallowed
• If problems, allow coaches to address the
issue. BE NICE!
Misconduct
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•
•
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Coach Sendoff – Minus 3 Points
Player Sendoff – Minus 2 Point
Player Caution – No Points
Sendoff’s carry over to the State
Tournament
Assignments
• Self assign games using Sportacus
• ARA reserves the right to unassign or reassign
as needed
• Guidelines
1. Coaches: Do not officiate your team's division
2. Do not officiate your child's games
3. Don’t CR and prefer that you don’t AR your child's
division
4. Don’t CR and prefer that you don’t AR your own
region
5. Don’t referee beyond your experience level
• If we get desperate, “don’t” in #3 and #4 may
change to “avoid” for games that are not finals
and semifinals.
• Instruct Club Linemen to ONLY INDICATE IN
AND OUT OF PLAY.
Assignments (cont)
• Use good judgment for assignments as
well as on the pitch
• Changes in game status, location, time,
etc. will be emailed and texted to you
automatically by Sportacus (if enabled in
your profile settings)
• The prudent referee will check texts,
email and Sportacus (http://sportac.us)
before heading to the field.
Sportacus Settings
1. User actions
2. User Profile Page
Sportacus Settings
Click here to
edit profile
Enter password
if you make a change
Change email or text
notify settings
Tournament Safety
• Injury or Incident Requirements
– Injury / Incident Report Completed and
Turned into Tournament/Venue HQ
– Blank AYSO Incident Form at
Tournament/Venue HQ
• If Player is Hurt and You Think They
Need Medical Attention Don’t Hesitate
To Call 911
• After Taking Care of Emergency
– Notify Tournament/Venue HQ and/or the
Tournament Director
U16 & U19
Additional Information
4th Official
• Fill Out Monitored Substitution Form
• Control coaches (keep in Technical
Area)
• Back Up Referee on Book and Time
• If member of Referee crew is injured,
4th Official fills vacant position
• Oversee Correct Substitution Procedure
• Follow additional instructions given by
Referee
• May not have a 4th Official
FIFA Substitution Law
• Either team may request to sub at ANY
stoppage
• Sub is allowed prior to a PK, but the
substitute cannot take the kick or replace
the goalkeeper
• Procedure:
– The substitute(s) must line-up at the halfway
line
– At the next stoppage, a substitution can be
requested
– The Referee determines if the substitution will
be allowed
– The players being replaced leave the field
– The subs wait to be beckoned on the field by
the Referee
Substitution Advice
• Understand the “Player” vs. “Substitute”
Distinction
• Substitute becomes a Player when
beckoned, and the Player becomes the
Substitute
• Wait for the Player to pass opponents
before beckoning
• Critical for Misconduct Issues
– AR1 & 4th Official Assists with Counting
Players
– Review Law 3, The Number of Players
Advice to Referees
• Use Time Monitor Worksheets
– Coaches pick up from check-in area prior to the
match
– Only Tournament issued is allowed.
• Center Referees are Responsible for the Time
Monitor
– Locate the Time Monitor (4th Official or coachprovided) before the match starts
– Check at Half Time for Playing Time
• Avoid Unnecessary Delays in the Substitution
Process
– Defer to the next opportunity if the sub is not at the
halfway line
– Defer to the next opportunity if there’s a quick
restart or the ball is about to be put into play
• Take Appropriate action for Time-Wasting