Referee's Whistle

This page was last updated on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 21:04

Since changing the look & Feel of the CSA Website on April 1st, 2005
CSA has had Hit Counter visitor's wanting Referee information

Required equipment

You must be in uniform on the field including a yellow referee shirt, black shorts, black socks, flags, cards and a whistle. You will also need a watch that keeps time. It should have stop watch capability. Although not required, a watch that “counts down” time is easier for the referee to keep time during the game.

Scheduling

Scheduling will take place using multiple means of contact. When contacted be prepared to schedule for a 3 week time period. Scheduling takes place with the parents. If you prefer email, then please be sure that you provide us with you parents email and it is checked daily.

If you sign up for game, it is expected that you will referee the game. If you do not show for a game, you will be taken off the schedule until you speak to the referee coordinator.

Game Day Expectations

On game day you should plan to arrive 20 minutes before your game. This will give you time to go to the field house and check the referee schedule hanging on the information board. You will then do the following things:

Get a game card from the concession stand. Located in the window facing the fields. They are on the counter waiting to be picked up.
Fill out the game card by writing the team letters for the home and away teams on the card. If you do not have this information the list is located in the field house on the information board. You can also get this information from the coaches.
For U10, U12 and U14 games, the score of the game needs to be recorded on the card.
For U12 and U14, be sure the coaches sign both game cards at the end of the game.
Write your name on the card neatly where it says “referee print __________”. If you are doing a line you write your name where it says “linesman ___________”. It is important that you have your name on a card for every game that you do so that you will be paid for each game. As the assistant it is your responsibility to be sure the center referee has put your name on the game card.
At the end of the game, you turn game card in plastic bin on the table under the tent.
If you are the stand by referee for a game time, you must fill out a game card with your name, date and the standby time. You must also write the word “standby” on the card.
Be on the field 10-15 minutes prior to the start of your game to help check the teams in.

Game Times

The following are the Coventry game times for each age division:

U6 – 4 ten minute quarters, 4v4 split fields
U8 – 2 twenty minute halves, 6v6 with throw in’s
U10 – 2 twenty-five minute halves, 8v8
U12 – 2 thirty minute halves, 11v11
U14 – 2 thirty-five minute halves, 11v11

Starting the game

Games must start and end on time! If your game does not start on time, you must shorten your halves/quarters to accommodate the time difference so that the game will end on time. The games must end on time!

Standby referee

If you are asked to the “Standby Ref”, you are the “on call” person to fill in for any referee who needs a substitute. You are responsible for staying in front of or in the field house for the hour that you are assigned. You are on call for the hour and should not leave the area. In the event that a referee needs a substitute during the game, you need to available and accessible.

If you are the standby referee from 9 - 10am and a ref is needed to ref a 9:45am game, you must begin that game. You will be paid for the time you are working.

As a new standby referee you are allowed to work center U8 games or you may line U10 games. If a referee is needed for an older game, you must talk to a board member (adults in red) and let them know where the referee is needed. They will help reassign referees so that an experienced referee is the center ref and you have an appropriate assignment for your experience level.

If you are the stand by referee for a game time, you must fill out a game card with your name, date and the standby time. You must also write the word “standby” on the card.

Illness

You are responsible to call the field house the morning of the game at 385- 9157. Someone is usually at the field house by 7:30am. You must continue to call the field house until an adult answers the phone. Do not leave a message that you will not be able to referee because the messages can not be checked. You must be sure to speak to adult.

Rain and Cancellations

In the event of rain you are responsible to go to the field and wait for the field marshal to make a decision regarding the cancellation of games. Assume that you will be refereeing and be prepared to get wet.

In the event of extreme weather, you can check the CSA website for cancellations: www.csa-ri.com

Getting compensated for you work

The weekend after you work as a referee, a check will be waiting for you at the concession stand. You go to the concession stand window that faces the field. There, you ask if a board member is available to get your check for you. The adult will get your check and ask you to sign the bottom of the check. The adult will take the bottom as a receipt. You will have your check and a receipt. The following is the pay scale for referees for CSA games:

U14 Centers $20 U14 lines $12

U12 Centers $15 U12 lines $11

U10 Centers $10 U10 lines $7

U8 Centers $8

*Please note that the pay scale may vary for state sponsored, superliga or tournaments.

Important things to know

Please do not reschedule your own games. The standby referee is available for games.
If you need help at any time, please talk to a board member. They are the adults in red shirts.
If you have problem parents on the sidelines stop the game and speak to the coaches. It is their responsibility to speak to the parents. You should not feel threatened or intimidated in anyway. If you find that you feel threatened or intimidated, stop the game and find ask for the field marshal or a board member.
Refereeing is a job that requires you be in constant movement. It is important that when you are on the field that you run up and down the field so that you are in position to see the plays. You must be able to move around the field. Coaches and parents will be watching you as they watch the game. It is important to take your job seriously and participate in the job actively. Complaints will be handled on a case by case basis. Referees who have numerous complaints filed for their lack of positioning may not be asked to referee for CSA.
It is important that you take this job seriously. If you do not show for a game it will be recorded that you were a “no show” for the game. Priority will be given to those who fulfill their obligations. Repeated “no shows” will not be put on the schedule.

Referee Top 10

10. This is your job. You need to treat it like a job.

9. Be on time. A minimum of 20 minutes before your game.

8. Be in uniform. A referee shirt tucked in, black shorts with your patch on, socks pulled up. No jewelry!

7. You must have flags, watch, pen, whistle and cards with you for any assignment.

6. On the Field – Active Participation

You should be in constant movement.
You must reference your flag people to keep aware of what they see. For example: off sides.
Respectful of the coaches and players.
Fair and objective.

5. If you feel intimidated or the fans are out of control. Stop the game and speak with the coaches in a calm manner. Ask them to speak to their parents and tell them to stop the behavior they are exhibiting. The game will continue when this is done.

If someone is using abusive language or has abusive behavior. Stop the game. Ask the coach to remove the person. The game will continue when the person has left the field. If the person does not leave, the team will forfeit the game.
You can always stop the game and ask to speak to speak to a board member.

4. During soccer season, please have a calendar by the phone/computer!

This will expedite the scheduling process and assure that your child will be called again.

3. The center referee:

You are responsible for the game card
Be sure to have a pen and an extra game card (in case the coach forgets).
Print neatly
New this year – you must put the game # on the game card. This will be located on the referee schedule in the field house.
New this year – Do not allow spectators to congregate behind the goal nets & end touch lines. If this is occurring, at the next stoppage ask the spectators to move to the sidelines. If they do not move, ask the coaches to speak with them.

2. Check in procedure. You are responsible to “check in” each player and coach of the teams. Follow this procedure:

The center ref will address the away team. The two lines people will address the home team.
Ask the coach for the game card (U10, U12, U15 will have game cards with player names and uniform #’s on them).
Ask the team to line up.
Be sure they have the appropriate cleats on. You must also check that they have shin guards and are not wearing any jewelry.
At the end of the game, return the game card to the field house in the referee box.

1. This is your job. You need to treat it like a job!

Important things to know

	Please do not reschedule your own games. The standby referee is available for games.
	If you need help at any time, please talk to a board member. They are the adults in red shirts
	If you have problem parents on the sidelines stop the game and speak to the coaches. It is their responsibility to speak to the parents. You should not feel threatened or intimidated in anyway. If you find that you feel threatened or intimidated, stop the game and find ask for the field marshal or a board member
	Refereeing is a job that requires you be in constant movement. It is important that when you are on the field that you run up and down the field so that you are in position to see the plays. You must be able to move around the field. Coaches and parents will be watching you as they watch the game. It is important to take your job seriously and participate in the job actively. Complaints will be handled on a case by case basis. Referees who have numerous complaints filed for their lack of positioning may not be asked referee for CSA

`Frequent Questions`

How old do I have to be to attend a clinic?

Answer: USSF has specifically said that there is no minimum age requirements, and have left that decision to the individual states. The Rhode Island Referee Committee recommends that a person be at least 11 years old - however, we do currently have 10-year olds who are registered officials.

So if there are two "beginner" clinics, which one should I attend?

Answer: An excellent question. That depends upon the person's age, the years of experience the person has as a player, and the maturity level of the person. It is the recommendation of the Rhode Island Referee Committee that individuals who have a few years of experience as a player and are under the age of 16 should attend the Grade 9 clinic. This way, the person can get a "feel" for officiating without a tremendous amount of pressure. After officiating for a year (or so), you may feel ready to try the Grade 8 clinic.

Offside Rule Change

Animation of FIFA's Revised Offside Law
==============================
(If only every parent and spectator could watch this!) Well, the answer to "Has the offside law changed or not changed?" is now available.

It has! Although there is much that is not new, in essence, what the new interpretation says is that if an attacking player is in an offside position, but is not interfering with an opponent, the referee [and, assistant referee] must wait until the player touches the ball before blowing the whistle. Just moving towards the ball is no longer enough. You can watch animations of multiple situations here:

http://www.fifa.com/en/news/feature/0,1451,107252,00.html

Click on the "For more information..." link in the article, and then press the forward-motion button repeatedly to view the various situations.

Referee Information

Whether you are a Certified Referee or are interested in becoming a referee, all your information can be found at the Rhode Island Soccer Referee Committee website. If you have questions about refereeing and can't find the answers, feel free to email the State Director of Referee Instruction, Mark Oliver .

Laws of the Game

If you need a copy of the Laws of the Game click here