Responsibilities of Ref:
- player safety, enforcement of game laws, and time keeping
- explain the rules to the players at each correction and instruct/assist them in proper positioning as needed
- use your whistle to gain attention of players as needed at the start or stop of play, but do not blow repeatedly
Prior to Game:
- introduce yourself to the coaches and remind them that the game will start at 6:15 PM
- 5-minutes prior to game time, line the teams up for equipment check, all players should have shin guards and no metal cleats, players may not wear jewelry, eye glasses need a safety strap. If they do no not, just remind them of the safety issues so they can be ready for the next game.
- Team pinnies must be worn on the outside of any other clothing
- set your watch and communicate with parent coaches to start the game time
Start of Play: Games start at 6:15 PM. 2-20 minute halves with a five minute half time.
- At the start of the games, determine which team will kick off using a procedure such as odd-even numbers or a coin flip, or pick a team.
- Start each halve or restart the game after a goal is scored with a kick off at the center of the halfway line. Ref places the ball, checks player positions and blows whistle to begin play.
- All players must remain on their own side of the halfway line until the ball is kicked.
- All opposing players must be at least 10 feet from the ball prior to the kick.
- The player kicking the ball may not touch the ball a second time until ANY other player has touched it (a restart is called).
- If play has been stopped due to injury, the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.
Substitutions:
- Coaches can sub players at any stoppage of play, regardless of which team has the ball.
- Coaches should ask your permission to sub prior to the substitutes entering the field of play
- Confirm the right number of players are on the field before allowing play to proceed
Ball in and out of Play:
- The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or goal line, whether in the air or on the ground.
- For balls going over the sideline, blow whistle, verbally call which team now has possession (the one who was not the last to touch it) and use a clear hand signal to indicate direction of play. Instruct player where to take the throw in if necessary. Be sure the throw in is legal (arms over head, both feet on ground, behind the line). You can instruct as needed and give another chance to throw in correctly, otherwise the ball will change possession to the other team for a throw in at that spot.
- For balls crossing the end line, there is a goal kick or a corner kick depending upon which team last touched the ball. Make the call verbally and with a hand signal to corner or goal.
Goal kick: If the offensive team last touched the ball, the goalie at that end (or another player assigned by a coach) places the ball and takes the kick in front of the net but not past the top of the box. Ref should be positioned toward center of field in anticipation of direction of play. The opposing team must return to their half of the field; note the player kicking the ball does NOT have to wait for the opposing team to return to midfield but the opposing team may not stop until they cross mid-field or the ball is kicked.
Corner kick: If the defensive team last touched the ball, the ball is placed at the corner closest to where the ball went out for a corner kick by the opposing team. Ref should be positioned on the opposite side of the net from the corner kick to get the best view of all players and the goal line. Opposing players must be 10 feet from the ball
Fouls and Misconduct:
When a foul occurs, stop play and instruct the players involved of the infraction. Free kicks are awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul. Fouls include: pushing, tripping, kicking and handballs. Refs may ask coaches for assistance as needed when dealing with unruly players or if repeated infractions occur.
All fouls are started by an Indirect Free
The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the foul occurred and must touch another player before going into the net. If the infraction took place within the box, the ball is placed at the top of the box or 10 feet from the net. Players must be 10 feet from the kick (at the goal line if necessary).