NorCal Premier Spring 2008, game lengths, game time, ball size, number of players

U8 & U9
Game lengths: 2 x 25 minutes with a 10-minute halftime
Ball Size: size four ball.
Number of players: 8 v 8

U10 & U11
Game lengths: 2x30 minutes with a 10-minute halftime
Ball size: size four ball.
Number of players: 11 v 11
Regulation goals - 8'h X 24w

U12 & U13
Game lengths: 2x35 minutes with a 10-minute halftime
Ball size: size four ball.
Number of players: 11 v 11
Regulation goals - 8'h X 24w




New Team Referee Requirement

The league board of directory approved the following new team referee requirement for Fall 2007
Class IV
- one adult referee to officiate 6 games as Center Referee
- 3 of the 6 games can be substitute by being Asst Referee in U15 or above games
- The duty can be split by at most 2 adult referees

Class III
- 2 adult (or 1 adult ,1 youth) officiate 12 games as Center Referee
- 3 of the 12 games can be substitute by being Asst Referee in U15 or above games
- The duty can be split by at most 4 referees (at least 6 games to be officiated by adult)

Class I
- 2 referees for U10 (1 adult minimum); 10 games per team per season of play
- 3 referees for U11 -U19 (2 adults minimum); 15 games per team per season of play
- All teams encouraged to have 4 referees to be sure can meet 15-game requirement).
- $50 fine per game not covered

Each referee can be affiliated to at most 2 teams.


Why Should I Referee?
 It is an excellent way to get into shape, learn the rules, and help your soccer club 
 and community, build camaraderie with other officials, and earn extra money.
 You also have the best seat in the house.
What About Training?
 Jack London has three 18-hour entry level training clinics in July and August. 
 After you complete the training and pass the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) examination, 
 you receive a Grade 8 badge that is applicable throughout the United States. 

 There are also three 9-hour recreational level clinics in August/September. 
 After you complete the training and pass the test, you receive a Grade 9 badge 
 that allows you to ref U10 and U12 games within our league. 

 Click Clinics on the left panel for clinic schedule.

 There will also be in service clincs offered by the District and the League. 
 Starting this year, there will be regular referee get together for us to talk about 
 war time stories. 
Is There a Big Time Commitment?
 If you can referee just one game (between 1 to 2 hours) a week, that will help a lot.   
 Of course, you can do more games if you want. 
What About Uniforms?
 All new referees who pass the USSF exam can purchase a  "referee kit" from Jade Soccer 
 that includes a complete uniform (shirt, shorts, and socks), whistle, lanyard, 
 red and yellow cards, cardholder and flags.  Your club will refund the cost
 if your referee more than 5 games in your first season.  You can also  purchase 
 your referee kit from other place and your club will refund up to the cost of the 
 Jade Soccer's kit which is about $58.
Am I Paid?
 Youth officials (Age 13 to 22) are paid for all position. Adult officials are only paid for 
 certain positions. Click Payments on the left panel for pay rate.
Is This Program for My Son or Daughter?
 YES!  Besides the relatively good pay for youths, refereeing is a great way to gain 
 confidence and bearing. Youth referees are normally assigned lower age group 
 games involving the Under 10 and Under 12 Age Groups. However, the minimum 
 age for referee is 14. An exception will be made for 13 year old if an experience 
 adult referee that will sponsor and mentor this referee.
Am I Going to Thrown Out to the Wolves
 NO!  Jack London Referee Assignor will make sure you will assign to the level of games 
 that you are comfortable with. We will send experience referees to go out and 
 watch new referees. You can also request mentor to come out to help you.
Okay, I'm Interested, Who Can I Call For More Information?
 Contact your club referee coordinator. 
 Click Coordinators on the left panel for contact information.
 


Game Protocol

BEFORE THE GAME

- arrive at least 30 minutes before the game
- dress professionally, tuck in shirt, pull up the socks etc
- inspect the field, nets, corner flags (write any anomalies in the game card)
- get game card, player passes from the coaches
- check in players
  - absolutely NO jewelry, Armstrong band, hard cast etc
  - check players' equipments, shin guard, no baseball cleats
  - make sure every player has a LAMINATED player pass (no pass, no play)
- For Class IV games play within Jack London, the game card should be stamped and
  addressed to League Referee Coordinator
- pregame talk between Referee and Asst Referees (if you are lucky to have a team of
  referees)
  - remind AR to stay with second to last defender
  - what is Center Referee expected Asst Referees to do, call fouls or not
- pregame talk to parent line persons
  - only signal ball in and out; give direction if capable
  - do not call offside

Coin Toss

- call in captains
- visitor captain call the coin toss
- winner choose side of field, loser kick off in the first half

Game Time

- Call fouls, avoid playing Advantages in younger age group because everyone expects
  you to call foul. 
- Have Fun

After the game

- monitor hand shakes between teams
- shake hand with players and coaches
- fill out game card including the following information if applied
  - yellow cards info; team, jersey #, name, cysa id, time, reason of yellow card
  - red cards info; as above
  - coaches and players behavior that you want the league to know
- License referees sign the game card (not parent line persons)
- Return player passes to coaches
- Fill out and mail Send Off Report within 24 hours if you gave out any red card, 
  Depending on the game, check the Jack London website on where the report should be
  sent to.
- Mail in the Game Card