2011 Spring Soccer Season

1. 2011 Spring Soccer Season

2. What are we discussing tonight • DCG Soccer Quick Rules • U8 Special Rules • U10 Special Rules • 6 C’s of Refereeing • Common Mistakes • Game Day Field Inspections • Use of Whistle • Team Check in Procedures • Dealing with Coaches • Pregame Reminders • Substitutions • Field Positioning

3. DCG Soccer Quick Rules

4. DCG Soccer Quick Rules Hey buddy there is a formula to figure out the length of a game

5. U8 Special Rules • Do not keep score • No Red or Yellow Cards • This is a teaching age, Referees explain calls they make • A goal may not be scored directly from kick off. The restart = GK • Team awarded the ball for the 1st Qtr also has it for the 2nd Qtr • Offside: Offside is not a consideration • The Penalty Kicks: There will be no penalty kicks • Players will receive two chances at a throw-in • The Corner Kick: The opponent will remain 4 yards from the corner arc until the ball is in play. In play means when the ball has been kicked and it moves. A goal may be scored directly from a Corner Kick.

6. U10 Special Rules • Do not keep “official” score • No Red or Yellow Cards • This is a teaching age, Referees explain calls they make • Encourage offensive players to not be in an offside position • There will be a Penalty Area: 10 yards from the goal • There will be no penalty mark or penalty arc • There will be Assistant Referees: We use this for training referees • The Start and Restart of Play: The opponent will be 8 yards from the ball until the ball is in play on starts and restarts. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick off - team to retain possession • Offside: Offside is not a consideration for the U10 game. • The Throw-In: Players will receive one chance at a throw-in. • The Corner Kick: The opponent will remain 8 yards from the corner arc until the ball is in play. In play means when the ball has been kicked and it moves. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

7. 6 C’s of Refereeing • Competent—Know your rules • Congenial— Be friendly and human to all • Confident—Be proud that you know the rules • Consistent—Call a game consistently • Control—Maintain control of the game • Change—Don’t be afraid to change any call before you put the ball in play

8. Most common mistakes by newbie's • Forgetting to start their watch • Signaling the wrong direction for team restarts in the second half of play • Forgetting to check the team kicking off on the scorecard • Not staying with play - spacing off • Making unclear verbal calls, too quiet of verbal commands • Not signaling correctly for indirect kicks • Making unclear arm or whistle signals Don’t forget to bring a whistle…….

9. Game Day Referee Field Inspection • Arrive at field at least 15-20 minutes prior to game time to conduct field inspections and team check-in. • Ensure corner flags are in place • Ensure goals are secured to ground. If not secured game referee should not ref the game. Coaches can still play the game at their own risk. • Check nets to ensure they are adequately attached to goals – no gaps. If gaps are present, alert AR’s and/or take into consideration as to how you run the field. • Remove any foreign material from field (cans, bottles, rocks etc.) • If you note any dangerous holes on the field, let players know

10. Use of the Whistle • The whistle commands attention, therefore, don’t overuse it • Reserve its use primarily for infractions within the field of play • Vary the sound—the louder the whistle, the worse the offense - Practice • Whistle is appropriate: • To start the game, restart at half-time, signal half-time and end of game • To indicate a foul on the field of play and restart • To start play after substitution, injuries or interference on the field • Whistle is not necessary (unless players continue play): • For throw-ins, goal kicks, or corner kicks

11. Team Check-in Procedure • Opportunity to set expectations for the players • Line Players up and Check player cards • No player card = no play; no exceptions • All cards must have pictures • No shin guards = no play; no exceptions • Socks must cover shin guards • Jerseys must be tucked in • Cleats (baseball cleats are allowed, but must have toe cleats clipped off) • Tennis shoes are acceptable. • No jewelry, except for religious jewelry (wear taped under jersey only) • All piercing that are visible must be removed if not = no play ; no excp • No bandanas, sunglasses, barrettes, headbands(unless medical reasons) • Keeper may wear a ball cap to keep sun out of eyes • Sweats / stocking caps~ Refs discretion; make sure color is not confusing • Goalkeepers must be in colors that are different from either team. • GK is responsible to change colors Go to breakouts.. Go to breakouts..

12. Dealing with Coaches • Be proactive - Set the ground rules when ever possible • If there is more than one coach understand who is doing what • Subs, instructions etc • Don't let coaches intimidate you. Give them respect and expect it in return • Be confident in your knowledge of the Laws of the Game • Remain calm. If a coach is yelling at you, do not yell back • Speak respectfully and quietly, so the coach must quiet down to hear you. • When there is a disagreement on a call. Do not ignore the coach. Indicate you will discuss issues at half-time or after the game. Referees have to have thick skin.

13. Dealing with Coaches • Do not take someone yelling at you personally. It happens to all referees, even the most experienced. • However, once the coach steps over the boundaries of the game you must deal with it. • Stop the game if you have too • Slowly and calmly walk over to the coach • Inform the coach that this type of conduct is unsporting • If the behavior continues – respectfully and professionally ask the coach to leave • If the coach refuses to leave, give the coach a warning that if he or she does not leave, you will end the game How do we deal with parents?

14. Pre-Game Reminders for Center Ref • Remind AR to take position with 2nd to last defender • Agree on signal for a goal scored (AR runs up line to ctr) • Ask AR’s to approach the center as a group • Ask AR’s to return to the center circle at half-time • Inform AR’s to match your signal where different • Inform AR’s you will make continual eye-contact • Ask AR’s to hold vertical flag at all times if: • Fouls, misconduct or illegal goal occurs • Ask AR’s to Make all flag signals directly and clearly • Weak signals are a sign of apathy or uncertainty • Inform AR’s which your positions on the field • Assign the AR’s to their side of the fields • Go over substitution procedure with AR’s and Coach’s Start the game on time..

15. Substitutions • Substitutions: With the referees permission at the following times: • Players need to be at half line • Anybody’s goal • Anybody’s goal kick. • On Throw in. If the team in possession of the throw in is subbing, the opponent may sub at the same stoppage • 1 for 1 for the injured player. • (The opponent team may sub if they wish to.)

16. Substitutions • Number of players substituting is at ref discretion • Communicates that the restart will be delayed for substitution and cannot occur except by the referee’s whistle • When the player has left the field, calls on the substitute • Does not permit the substitution if the substitute is not prepared to enter the field or if the team in possession on the restart is prepared to restart quickly

17. AR Mechanics • AR’s have 3 main functions: • Offside support • Do not let Center break rules • Field support for calls • Assistant Referees (ARs) must feel empowered to participate in • game critical decisions when they are 100% certain.

18. AR Mechanics • When you're running a line, side-step so you stay square to the field as much as possible. • Run to the corner flag, or close to it, when signaling for a goal kick or corner kick. • When signaling for a ball that is clearly off the field across the touchline, point your flag in the direction the throw-in will be taken (not straight up). • Assist the referee in making sure the throw-in is being taken from the correct spot. Be proactive. Do not wait for the player to make a mistake; help them get it right. • Give the referee the first opportunity to be engaged. If, due to the referee’s attention being engaged elsewhere, the referee is not aware of a critical situation, then the AR is empowered to provide assistance within these Guidelines.

19. AR Mechanics • The AR has an obligation to the referee and to the game. • The following list is intended to help officials define the moments in the game when AR involvement is required: • Game Critical Decisions Situations in which the AR is 100% certain of what he saw – regardless of the position / attitude of the referee • • Decisions the “game requires” or the “referee requires” vs. simple fouls in the midfield – like a penalty kick • • Misconduct (serious foul play / violent conduct) • • Foul inside / outside of the penalty area • • Goal / no goal decision • • Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO)

20. Hand Ball • Keys to Identifying a Hand Ball • There are several key criteria referees should use to determine whether contact between a player’s hand/arm and the ball constitutes a foul for handling. • The following criteria should be the primary factors considered by the referee for calling a hand ball • Did the player make him/her bigger? • Does the defender use his hand/arm as a barrier? • Did the player benefit by putting his hand/arm in an “unnatural position?” • 4. Reaction Time of touching the ball, the more reaction time the more likely to call a hand ball Did the player play the ball or did the ball play the player?

21. Yellow Cards Offenses (Player is cautioned) • Un-sportsmanlike conduct (MOST COMMON) • Dissent by word or action • Persistently infringing the Laws of the Game • Delaying the restart of play • Violate 10 yards or restart • Leaving field without permission • Enter field without permission • Serious foul play • Violent conduct • Spitting on player • Deny obvious goal scoring opportunity • Handball to deny OGS oppt’y • Abusive language or gestures • 2nd caution (yellow card) in the same game Red Card Offenses (Player is sent off)