Game Day Referee instructions 

 

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The Game / Keeping the players safe

Please check in with the field marshal 10 minutes prior to your game. The field marshal will give you a whistle and a referee bib

 

1. Keep games on time – Either four 10 min quarters or if coaches agree before the game, two 20 minute halves. Must stop each game on the hour (half hour in spring) regardless if 4th quarter is over. Games must end on time  

A. Quarters – To stop a quarter you must wait for a stoppage in play, (goal kick, throw in or corner kicks is about to occur). Quarter breaks should not exceed 2 mins. The restart is from same stoppage place.

B. Halves – You can stop for half time during open play . Half time no more than 5 minutes, If team A starts the 1st quarter team B starts the 3rd.

 

Fouls The common rule of thumb on fouls is “If it looks like a foul, it probably is.”  So, please call a foul when you see them. Examples of a foul (intentional or unintentional):

 

Tripping or attempting to trip     Striking an opponent     Pushing/charging an opponent

Blatant holding or pulling on an opponent’s jersey          High Kicks

 

Deliberately handling the ball (does not apply to goalkeeper in goal box).  Do not call a foul on the field player if s/he is instinctively protecting himself or if the ball hits the players hand when it is in its natural position. 

The back-pass rule (to the goalie) does not apply in our program

 

All Age Groups 

Goalies cannot punt ball. They may only roll the ball out to their player.

Goalkeepers are to be protected. Any player interfering with the goalkeeper or attempting to kick the ball from the goalkeepers control must be whistled a foul.

Problems – Any problems on the field with coaches or parents, go to the venue tent or flag down someone with a “Staff” shirt on and explain your issue so it can be addressed. Do this as soon as you can (before/after games or during the quarter/half breaks) 

 

Div 9 and 10

Do not worry about understanding the off side rule. There are no off side

Throw-ins - If a team throws the ball in incorrectly they can redo it one time after that it would be a throw in to the other team 

There are no direct free kicks as a result of a foul. All fouls are indirect kicks!  This means a goal can only be scored if another player touches the ball before it enters the goal. If the foul occurs too close to the goal, pull the ball back a minimum of 10 yards, before allowing the kick allow the opposing team to build a wall.

There are no traditional “penalty kicks” meaning the kick is never a one on one against the goalkeeper.  There will always be a wall.

When the goalkeeper has the ball either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line. 

On a goal kick the team without the ball can only cross the line after the second attacking player has touch the ball. If the ball is kicked down the field the team without the ball can receive the ball as long as it has crossed the build out line.

If the goalkeeper has the ball in their hands from open play.  The team without the ball can cross the line as soon as the goalkeeper releases possession. If the goalkeeper puts the ball on the ground the ball is live and the team without the ball can cross the line.

NO Heading the ball. if a player heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the sport of the offense. If the foul occurs too close to the goal, pull the ball back a minimum of 10 yards, before allowing the kick, the opposing team can build a wall.

 

Div 11 and up 

New rule on Goal Kicks

The ball does not have to leave the penalty area,  defending players can be inside the penalty area. the ball can be passed back to the goalkeeper and picked up (as the back-pass rule (to the goalie) does not apply in our program)

Opponents must be outside of the penalty area when the ball is played.

WVSL 

 

Div 11 & 12

We have off side see - https://youtu.be/GePlbCsGniA

NO Heading the ball. if a player heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the sport of the offense. If the foul occurs too close to the goal, pull the ball back a minimum of 10 yards, before allowing the kick allow the opposing team to build a wall.

we have traditional penalty kicks  

To set up for a penalty kick - The ball is placed on the penalty spot or mark, 10 yards in front of the center of the goal. All players must remain outside the penalty arc until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must have one feet on the goal line until the ball is kicked. If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the keeper and stays on the field, the ball is “live” and anyone can play it 

 

Div 13 and up

We have offsides see - https://youtu.be/GePlbCsGniA

you can Head the ball, we have traditional penalty kicks

To set up for a penalty kick - The ball is placed on the penalty spot or mark, 10 yards in front of the center of the goal. All players must remain outside the penalty arc until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must have one feet on the goal line until the ball is kicked. If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the keeper and stays on the field, the ball is “live” and anyone can play it. 

 

WVSL - Are yellow or red cards handed out?

Not as such. Repeated fouls or inappropriate behavior (e.g., talking back to the ref) should be addressed with a warning to the player and coach. If the warning fails to curb the problem the referee may remove the player from the game for a five-minute "time-out" period during which a teammate may be subbed in.

If the player returns to the game and commits the same offense. The referee will remove the player for the remainder of the game

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