Game Day Protocol

The Referee crew is to arrive at the field at least 30 minutes before each game’s scheduled kick-off time, the time listed on MSL.  The League strives to keep all the games on schedule throughout the day.
 
Upon arrival, the Ref crew usually meets behind one of the goals.
 
Referee Preparation

Uniform and Equipment
Referees are to dress professionally, wearing the approved USSF referee uniform
  • The referee jersey with current US Soccer Federation badge affixed properly
  • Solid black shorts or black shorts with the USSF logo
  • Black referee socks with three white stripes at the top or the USSF referee logo on the top
  • predominantly black shoes.
  • Any visible under shirts should be black. Black baseball-style caps with no logos may be worn.
  • A plain black cap or one with the USSF logo
 
Referees (Centers and ARs) should carry the following gear in their kits:
  • Watch(es)
  • Pens/pencils,
  • Scoresheets
  • Red and yellow cards
  • Flipping coins
  • Whistles – always have an extra in your bag
  • Flags   
  • Cold weather gear when the time of year makes it necessary (optional)
  • A large plastic trash bag to cover your gear in case of rain (optional)
  • Sunscreen
  • Snacks (energy bars are great!), especially if you are going to be reffing more than one game.
  • Water/sports drinks/etc.
 
Health and Fitness
  • Referees should wear sunscreen/sunblock for UVA and UVB protection and reapply as necessary.
  • US Soccer recommends hats for sun protection.
  • Do a 5-10 minute warm up: run a couple laps around the field, stretch, run backwards, run diagonals, run a few sprints.
 
Pre-Game

During the 30 minutes before kick-off, the Ref crew will perform four tasks:
  • Field inspection
  • Pre-game Briefing
  • The Check-in
  • The Coin Toss
 
Field inspection
  • Look for holes or depressions that could cause twisted or broken ankles and see if holes can be filled. All rocks, twigs, debris on the field should be removed.
  • Nets should be securely fastened to the goal posts and netting pulled back so as not to interfere with the goalkeeper.
  • Goal posts must be securely anchored to the ground. Sandbags on the frame towards the rear are acceptable. Posts don't have to be in the ground, but they must be anchored.
  • Corner flags are in place and are not dangerous to players (at least 5 ft high).
  • Entire field is properly lined.
  • If anything is needed, the home team is responsible for fixing field problems.
  • Look for other hazards that can be corrected before the game (e.g., debris, glass, rocks, holes, sprinkler heads).
  • Any issues with the field should be noted on the game report.
 
Pre-Game Briefing
The Referee will conduct a pre-game briefing with Assistant Referees, covering, but not limited to the following points:
  • Stay in line with the second-to-last defender,
  • Call fouls or not, including fouls in the box,
  • Discuss expectations,
  • Ensure good communication through good eye contact or by other means, such as a nod or a thumbs up
  • Position for Penalty Kicks,
  • Back up with time-keeping and score-keeping,
  • Call to the Ref (by name) if he’s not looking at your signal (e.g., an Offside flag signal, a request for a substitution, etc.)
  • If parents help out as assistants on the lines, the Referee will instruct them to assist only when the ball leaves the field (fully crossing the touch line or goal line). The parent should not make any Offside calls.
 
Check-in Procedures
The Referee crew has the full responsibility for an accurate check-in.  Home team players/coaches should be checked first but it's not a requirement. You should start with the team that appears to be most ready for inspection.
 
The home team should provide the ref with a hardcopy of the game card and three game balls.
 
Player Equipment
  • No hard casts.  Soft casts allowed are referee’s discresion.
  • Make sure that ALL jewelry, earrings, watches, etc. are removed. Medical IDs must be taped to the player's chest or taped to the wrist with the info showing. Note: Earrings covered with tape are not allowed for any game.
  • All players must wear soccer shoes and shin guards. Socks must be pulled over shin guards.
  • Players’ shirts are to be tucked in.
  • Check in players and coaches as per the requirements and the Rules of Competition for that league.
 
Rosters
    Norcal Competitive Games
  • Each team must create an official NorCal roster in their GotSport account. Only Players who are listed on the official Game Card will be eligible to play in NorCal Premier League matches.
  • If any Player is not listed on the NorCal Game Card, he/she must be added electronically to the roster before the Player is eligible to play. Names from an electronic Game Card may be handwritten by the Referee.
 
    JLYSL Rec Games
  • All players must be listed on the game card at the beginning of the match.
 
Player Passes
    Norcal Competitive Games
  • Every player must have a laminated pass with a picture of the player.
  • If a team forgets their passes, a picture of the players in the match must be taken and the game is played under protest.
  • Details are available here: http://www.norcalreferees.com/rules_of_competition/
 
    JLYSL Rec Games
    Every player must have a laminated pass. No pass = no play = NO EXCEPTIONS
 
Coach Passes
  • Every coach must have a laminated pass.  No pass = no coaching.  A coach holding a valid passcard may coach ANY team in the club for which they hold the card. It is not required that they be printed on the game card.
  • A maximum of 3 team officials  with a valid club pass can be on the bench.
  • Only team officials STANDING IN THE TECHNICAL AREA are allowed to instruct or address the players.
 
Concussion Protocol Healthcare Professional
If a club plans to use a healthcare professional to evaluate suspected head injuries during a match, the healthcare professional must be presented to the referee before the match.
 
The Coin Toss
  • Call team captains to the Center Circle for introductions and handshakes preceding the coin toss.
  • Visitor captain calls the coin toss.
  • Winner choses side of the field while the loser kicks off in the first half.
 
During the Game
  • Manage the game and keep it safe for all.
  • Call fouls as appropriate for the age and level of play.  (There’s no need to apply Advantage in younger age group games. Advantage calls are appropriate in older, more skilled matches,)
  • Promote enjoyment and safety. 
  • No re-entry for a suspected head injury unless cleared by a Healthcare Professional
  • Record time, goals, cautions, and send offs on the Card.
  • Stop the game for appropriate substitutions or any injuries.
  • Keep team Passes and Game Card in your possession or kit until the game is over.
 
Half Time
The Referees review the first half of play and discuss what they are seeing, and any adjustments or improvements for the second half.  ARs can use this time to ask questions or get clarifications.
 
After The Game
  • Monitor handshakes between teams
  • Shake hands with players and coaches
  • Fill out game card: Center referees should make sure they have all information required to file their online report of the game as explained under Match Reporting Instructions.
  • Return player passes to coaches
 
Game Cards: 
Fill out game card including the final score and any other information that had a bearing on the game.
  • Yellow/red cards info; team, jersey #, name, Player Pass ID number, time, reason of yellow/red card
  • Coaches and players behavior that you want the league to know
  • Referees and coaches sign the game card (not parent line persons)
 
Return the Card
  • For CCSL and Norcal comp matches, give the CCSL or Norcal game report form to the Home Team who is responsible for entering the scores on the systems for those leagues.
  • For District 4 games, give the game card to winning coach (or home team in case of tie)
  • For Jack London house league, keep the Game Card until end of season
 
Ref Crew Debriefing
Take some time to discuss the game with the crew
  • What went well?
  • Any unusual situations?
  • What could each team member improve on?
 
Enter the Game Report online
  • SportLynx: Set the game status, enter the score, and put any general comments when reporting in SportLynx. There are also areas for field condition and yellow and red card reports which are used to report problems and/or issues that arose during the particular match.
  • Norcal games: If there were send-offs or incidents, fill out the online Send Off Report within 24 hours if you gave out any red card.  http://www.norcalreferees.com/
 
Good Luck and Have Fun!