High-Level Guidelines for All Referees
Know the accepted mechanics, signals, and procedures for Referees and Assistant
Youtube is your friend. Here is a video on Referee signals from the Ken Aston Referee Society.
Referee Signals
* Arrive to the field at Least 20 minutes prior to kick off
* Be professional and approachable yet confident and firm
* Be properly attired with only AYSO approved Referee uniform with socks pulled up & a wristwatch with chronograph capability (timer)
* Take charge but do not dictate
* Always start the game on time
The Referee and ARs should work as a team and never disagree publicly. This one's important for newer Referees. If you're an AR in the match and you'll feel strongly on a call, please do not disagree with the Center Referee at the time of the call. The Center Referee makes the final call at the end of day. Concerns can be brought up as a team during quarter breaks or at the end of a game.
/// Use sunscreen & maintain hydration before, during half, and after the game
/// Inspect the Field – Goals must be anchored or the game cannot be played
/// Check in the players 10 minutes prior to kick off
/// Introduce yourself to the coaches, be respectful, courteous, and professional
/// Referee should have a pre-game conference with his Assistant Referees
/// Referees (Center) should help mentor new ARS. Remember that you were a rookie at some point too!
/// Referees should be running, ARs should be running
/// Be decisive and control the game. Even in 6U/8U. Tell the players when their behavior is unacceptable.
Coaches should be positive, instructional, and encouraging ONLY. Be proactive with coaches and let them know that Public, Persistent, Provocative, or Personal actions or words towards any officials will not be tolerated. Ask them to stop. Tell them to stop.
Head Coaches can be cautioned with a Yellow Card. If the Head Coach receives a two cautions or a send-off (Red Card), the Coach will be ejected from the game. In this scenario, the Assistant coach takes over (unless he or she is the one ejected). Contact the RRA for help with a report.
Ask the coach to control problem spectators/parents. If he or she is unable or unwilling to control parents that are crossing the line, cautions or a send-off will be the end result. Contact the RRA to file a report
Learn from experienced Referees. Mentoring and peer review is part of soccer officiating.
Referee Report
If an incident occurs, whether it's an injury or misconduct related, a referee will need to fill out a Referee Report and turn this report to the Referee Administrator for review.
Referee Report Document