2011
Spring Soccer
Season
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
DCG Soccer Quick Rules
Player Cards Needed
# Players
Goalkeeper?
Offside called?
Penalty area marked?
Penalty kicks
Restart for fouls
Distance opponents must
be from ball for goal kicks,
corner kicks, direct and
IFK
U8
U10
Yes
4v4
No
No
No
No –IFK from
edge of goal
area
Indirect free
kick
Yes
6v6
Yes
No
Yes
No –IFK from edge
of penalty area
4 yards
8 yards
Indirect free kick
DCG Soccer Quick Rules
U8
U10
Use of Assistant Referees
No ARs
Certified ARs
Ball size
3
4
Game duration
4 x 12 min
quarters; 2 min
quarter breaks;
5 min halftime
All goal kicks,
own throw-ins,
goal scored,
start of periods
25 min
5 min halftime
Substitutions allowed at…
All goal kicks, own
throw-ins, goal
scored, start of
periods
Hey buddy there is a formula to figure out the length of a game
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.
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.
6 C’s of Refereeing
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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
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…….
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
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
Team Check-in Procedure
Opportunity to set expectations for the players
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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..
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.
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
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How do we deal with parents?
Pre-Game Reminders for Center Ref
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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..
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.)
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
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.
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.
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)
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
1. Did the player make him/her bigger?
2. Does the defender use his hand/arm as a barrier?
3. Did the player benefit by putting his hand/arm in an
“unnatural position?”
4. 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?
Yellow Cards Offenses
(Player is cautioned)
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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
Red Card Offenses
(Player is sent off)
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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