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WCSA New Referee Training

Eric West

WCSA President & Head Referee

referees@wcsasoccer.com

513-823-1200

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Being a Referee!

Being a referee is an important job to keep kids playing soccer
Whether you are doing it for money, fun, or both, always remember this is about the KIDS, not you
You must keep the kids SAFE
You must call a FAIR game
Kids SAFE + FAIR game = FUN for all!
You must know the rules, be professional, prepared and confident

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Being a Referee! (Law 5)

Authority begins when you enter the vicinity of the field and ends when you leave the field vicinity
You have final say/decision
If field conditions change during games (such as rain), you make decision if field is unplayable
The younger the age level, the quicker you should stop for injuries
Responsibility to enforce the laws and maintain a safe environment for the players

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Pre-Game

Equipment/Gear: Ensure all the items needed to referee are together in a bag before heading to the field

Uniform – Yellow referee shirt, SAY patch, black shorts, referee socks and cleats/shoes
Equipment – Whistle, watch, yellow/red cards, pen, paper, coin, rule book
Water, Water, Water, Water, Water

Arrival: Please arrive to your field between 20-30 minutes prior to game time

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

Field Inspection: Walk through the field to ensure the field and equipment is safe to play

Nets & Goals – Check for holes in the net, if the net is attached/detached, goals anchored to the ground and on/off the line
Field Markings – Check for build out lines, penalty/goal boxes, condition of lines
Field Condition – Check for rocks, sticks, holes, mud, etc.
Corner Flags (If applicable) – Must be 5’ or taller, no pointed top (bicycle), upright

Play with what you are given. Report all issues to ASAP.

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

What to do when there are problems with the field

�Nets & Goals�- Holes/Detached: If zip ties or straps available, use them. If able, tuck the net under the goal posts/bars. Be aware of net issues if goals are scored

- Off the Line: Physically move the goal on to the front edge of the line

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

What to do when there are problems with the field

�Field Markings

Make note of faint lines, missing markings, etc. to communicate with referee crew and the teams
If build out lines are missing for passers & wings, use cones on the sidelines

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

Build-Out Line

Passers & Wings Only

Goal Area
Penalty Area
Penalty Mark

Wings & Strikers – 10 yards
Kickers – 12 yards

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

What to do when there are problems with the field

�Field Conditions

Communicate with referee crew and teams if certain field conditions exist
Games will be played on wet fields, and within reason mud puddles. Once the game begins, you have authority to stop the game if conditions worsen

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

What to do when there are problems with the field

�Corner Flags

Check for proper size, in correct spot on the field, and securely in the ground
If any of the 4 aren’t suitable, take them all out and leave off the field

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

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Pre-Game (Law 1)

What to do when there are problems with the field

Report field issues in your postgame report. We can’t fix it if we aren’t aware of the problems
If it is urgent that may affect if a game can be played, reach out to Eric immediately

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Pre-Game

Pre-Game Talk/Equipment Inspection

At least 5 minutes before game time call both teams to midfield
Ask how everyone is doing and ask if everyone is ready to play today
Have all players lift 1 foot and walk behind them to check for metal cleats
Remind everyone about no necklaces, earrings, bracelets, beads, etc.
Make sure everyone has shin guards on, and shoes are tied, etc.
Give rules reminders and set your expectations

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Pre-Game (Law 4 – Player Equipment)

Basic Equipment

Shirt – Same color & different numbers, except when wearing alternates/pinnies for color conflicts
Shorts – Pants allowed in colder months
Socks – Must cover shin-guards
Shin-Guards – Material such as rubber, plastic, underneath socks
Shoes – Any number of cleats, gym shoes, no metal or track spikes

Illegal Equipment

Jewelry – Necklaces, bracelets, rings, EARRINGS
Face guards
Hard helmets
Casts & Splints
Knee Braces – unless soft padded
Gum, ice, etc. in mouth
Hard hair beads, clips

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Pre-Game (Law 4 – Player Equipment)

Illegal/missing equipment needs to be fixed before playing

“For safety reasons…you cannot play with (name illegal equipment)”

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Pre-Game

Pre-Game Talk/Equipment Inspection

Give rules reminders and set your expectations

Reminder to keep arms/elbows down, play shoulder to shoulder
When the goalie has at least 1 finger on the ball, back off
Passers/Wings – Reminder of the build-out line. Offense must remain behind the line on goal kicks, goalie possession until the ball is kicked or thrown
Demonstrate proper throw-ins. Feet on the ground, ball behind the head, thrown over the top of the head
If anyone has questions, I will be glad to answer at the quarter break

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Pre-Game

Coin Toss

At the conclusion of pre-game talk, ask for captains from both teams
Use a coin to flip. If a coin is not available, do a “1” or “2” behind your back
Visiting team will call the toss
Winning team picks either 1) which side of field to start on or 2) kickoff
Other team gets the remaining choice
Make note in your sheet which team is kicking off and in what direction

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Pre-Game

Miscellaneous

Make sure to collect payment from the teams
If teams have conflicting jersey colors, ask home team to change or put on pinnies. If home team doesn’t have anything, check with visiting team
Request a game ball from the home team (LAW 2)

Passers – Size 3, Wings & Strikers – Size 4, Kickers – Size 5
Must be SAFE
Properly inflated, no rips/tears, no holes, spherical
Must inspect the ball before being used in play, if using alternates
If no good ball, go to the visiting team

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Start of Game

Ensure teams are on right side of the field with correct number of players (LAW 3)

Passers – minimum of 5, maximum of 7
Wings – minimum of 5, maximum of 7
Strikers – minimum of 6, maximum of 9
Kickers – minimum of 7, maximum of 11
Cannot start with less than the minimum number of players

Make sure both goalkeepers are ready to play, and have different pinnies or shirts than rest of the teams
Kickoff

Loud, long whistle to signal the kickoff
Start your watch when the ball is kicked

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Start of Game

Law 7

Passers – 10-minute quarters

Wings – 12-minute quarters

Strikers/Kickers – 15-minute quarters

1-Minute quarter breaks, 5-minute halftime
Start calling teams back onto the field by 0:30-0:45 seconds between quarters, 4:00 minutes at halftime
Time expires when the whistle blows, not when the ball/play ends
Time can be added at your discretion for injuries and unsporting behavior
Only a penalty kick can be taken after time has expired and if call before time expired

Law 8

On a kickoff, the kicker may not touch the ball twice until it is played by another player. Restart with an indirect free kick
Need to enforce early in the season and be proactive in communicating to the players not to do it. Especially at the passers level
If it is early in the season and/or you judge the player to be newer or lower skilled, allow them to re-do the kickoff. BUT you must explain it to them before allowing the re-do

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In-Game – Substitutions (Law 3)

Substitutes should be at midfield waiting to be called on

Remind coaches & players throughout the game if necessary

Once the ball is out of play, signal for substitutes to enter the field
Make sure players know to wait on restarting play, then signal with a double whistle and say “Subs On”
For Wings & Strikers in a 2-man system, referee on team side of the field should have priority in tracking substitutions.
All referees should watch each other and/or the number of subs coming on and off the field

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In-Game – Substitutions (Law 3)

Team in possession of a throw-in may substitute. Opposing team may do same only if team in possession does

Both teams may substitute at the following times:

Goal Kick / After a goal / Extended time out (injury) / Between quarters

Teams must notify of a goalkeeper change, but not during live play
Watch for stalling/excessive substitutions, especially late in close games

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In-Game – Drop Ball (Law 8)

When do you have a drop ball?

1) Injury or accidental whistle or

2) Ball hits the referee and ball changes direction, or ball goes into the goal, or team possession changes, or Team starts a promising attack

Procedure

Done with 1 player of team that last touched or had possession
Ball is in play when it touches the ground – Drop the ball from about weight height of the players, not throw
Can be played in succession by the player
Cannot score without another player touch

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In-Game – Drop Ball (Law 8)

Where do you place a drop ball?

Last spot where the ball touched a player, referee, or outside agent

EXCEPT

When the ball was in the Penalty Area or last touched in the Penalty Area

If a drop ball happens in the Penalty Area, the ball is dropped to the goalkeeper
The goalkeeper can kick it straight off the ground or they can pick it up

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In-Game – Build Out Area (Law 8)

Build Out Area (PASSERS & WINGS ONLY)

Attacking team must move outside the build out area on all goal kicks, defensive free kicks in the area, and when the goalkeeper has possession
Remain outside until ball is in play when
Ball is kicked and clearly moves
Goalkeeper releases the ball by throwing or rolling it
Ball is placed on the ground and kicked after goalkeeper possession

Encroachment is penalized as an indirect free kick

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In-Game – Build Out Area (Law 8)

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In-Game – Build Out Area (Law 8)

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In-Game – Ball In/Out of Play (Law 9)

Ball is out when it completely passes over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air

As an AR on kickers, signal out of bounds with the flag
As a referee, blow the whistle for close out of bounds calls
Do not have to blow whistle for every out of bounds
On a throw in, the ball must cross the line to be in-play

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In-Game – Throw-In (Law 15)

Make sure thrower takes the throw at the spot the ball went out of bounds
Throw must be made with both hands from behind and over the head, and both feet on the ground
Thrower may not touch it again until another player touches it
No offsides on the throw-in
Improper throw-in will be awarded to the other team
Be proactive in teaching proper throw-ins. Explain/show what the player did after an improper throw-in
3 attempts for passers in regular season (WCSA rules/PASSERS ONLY)

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In-Game – Method of Scoring (Law 10)

Ball must pass completely over the goal line to be scored a goal

Goal may not be scored from a throw-in or goal kick

Cannot award a “sure goal”

As a referee, signal a goal with a long whistle and point towards midfield

As an AR, signal a goal by tucking flag under your arm and walking up the field

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In-Game – Method of Scoring (Law 10)

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In-Game – Goal Kick (Law 16)

Can be placed anywhere inside or on the lines of the goal area
Help younger players with placement of the ball
If needed, ask coach where they would like the ball to be placed; Younger ages are coached to put it on the corner of the box
Attacking players must remain outside build out area for passers/wings, and outside penalty area for strikers/kickers
Must actively remind/tell players to get behind the build out line until the ball is kicked
Ball in play when kicked and clearly moves
Passers Only: Ball can be passed back to the goalkeeper

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In-Game – Goal Kick (Law 16)

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In-Game – Corner Kick (Law 17)

Can be placed anywhere inside the 1 yd arc, closest to where it went out of play
Help younger players with placement of the ball

8- and 10-yard distances apply

Do not let the kicker play the ball multiple times, especially younger ages

Players may not move corner flags
Stop players from grabbing the flags, they may move the ball if they struggle

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In-Game – Corner Kick (Law 17)

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

POSITION

If part of the head, body or feet is
Closer to the goal line than the ball
Closer to the goal line than the second to last defender
In opponent’s half of the field or build out area for wings

At the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate

OFFENSE

A player who is in an offside POSITION is involved in active play by:

Interfering with play
Interfering with an opponent
Having gained an advantage by being in that position by playing or interfering when:

Ball rebounds or deflects off the goal or opponent
An opponent stops or attempts to stop a shot on goal

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

NOT Offside when:

Being in an offside position
Received from a goal kick, corner kick, or throw in
Receiving ball last played by an opponent

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

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In-Game – Offside (Law 11)

Once you deem offside offense has been committed, blow your whistle loud and raise your arm straight up

Restart free kick is taken at the spot of the offense, NOT at the line of where offside position starts

Wait until the offense has occurred (player involved in play) to blow the whistle

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In-Game – Free Kick (Law 13)

Direct free kick can be scored on first touch
Indirect free kick must be touched by another player before being scored
Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves

PASSERS ONLY: ALL free kicks are indirect from the spot of the foul

What if a goal is scored without second touch on an IFK?

If an indirect free kick is awarded in the goal area for the attacking team, it will be taken at the top of the goal area nearest to the offense

On ALL indirect free kicks, you must indicate with your arm up until a second touch occurs

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In-Game – Fouls/Misconduct (Law 12)

Direct Free Kick Offenses

Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent – Most likely will accidental, especially at the younger ages. Happens if a player kicks their opponent before contacting the ball. Older ages has the potential for a more deliberate attempt

Trips or attempts to trip an opponent – Most common will be running up behind a player with the ball and clipping the back of their feet, with the opponent falling. Especially at passers, their feet will get tangled often and will not always be a foul

Strikes or attempts to strike and opponent – May start out as a clean charge or two players running to play the ball and one player jabs an elbow into the other, or if elbows go flying into each other when playing a ball in the air

Jumps at an opponent – More common at kickers where heading is allowed, and players jumped into each other to head the ball

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Direct Free Kick Offenses

Charges an opponent – A charge must be shoulder to shoulder, without excessive force of pushing an opponent off the ball. Once a shoulder is lowered to push their opponent, it is a charge. A player cannot use their shoulder into an opponent’s chest or back

Pushes an opponent – Involves a player extending their arms and pushing their opponent. Not every time an arm is out is a foul, only if they push the other player with contact and off the ball

Tackles/challenges an opponent – A slide tackle where the player contacts their opponent before the ball. Must be from the front 180 degrees to be legal

Hold an opponent – When a player grabs an opponent's arm, body, shirt, etc. to prevent

Handling – Deliberately playing the ball with their hand or arm. Does the ball play the hand or does the hand play the ball?? In accidental cases of handling, handling can be when the arm is in an unnatural position, the ball goes directly into the goal, or a player scores directly after handling the ball

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In-Game – Fouls/Misconduct (Law 12)

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Indirect Free Kick Offenses

Dangerous Play – Most common will be playing the ball while on the ground with another player within a couple feet trying to play the ball. What is known as a high kick is dangerous when a player’s foot comes high near or above their waist or near another player’s head

Slide tackling from the rear 180 with no contact – Under no circumstances can any player slide tackle from the rear 180. Happens often at wings and strikers.

Unfair Charge – When a player charges into a player when they are not playing the ball or the ball is not within playing distance

Obstruction – When a player is not playing the ball and purposefully impedes the movement of an opponent without contact

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In-Game – Fouls/Misconduct (Law 12)

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Indirect Free Kick Offenses

Fouls against the goalkeeper – Typically accidently contact when a player is kicking at the ball when the goalkeeper has possession of it. If it is serious enough where the goalie is hurt, restart with an IFK. If it is quick and accidental, put a stop to it and allow the goalkeeper to continue play

Improper Clearing of the ball by the goalkeeper – Not very common but if a goalkeeper takes too long to release the ball. Rule also includes if goalkeeper picks up the ball when passed or thrown by a teammate. (Pass backs are allowed in passers)

Deliberate heading of the ball (PASSERS, WINGS, and STRIKERS) – Players cannot use their head to play the ball until Kickers level. All others cannot use their head to play the ball. Like handling, does the ball play the head or does the head play the ball??

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In-Game – Fouls/Misconduct (Law 12)

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In-Game – Penalty Kick (Law 14)

No penalty kicks for passers. Any DFK foul called against the defense in the penalty area results in a penalty kick
All players except for kicker and goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area and arc, but not past the kicker, until the ball is kicked
Goalkeeper may be interchanged with another player on the field for the kick, not a substitute
Goalkeeper must keep part of 1 foot on the goal line at the time the ball is kicked
Ball must be kicked forward
Kicker may not touch a second time until touched by another player
A PK must be taken even if time is expired before taking of the care
Kicker MUST wait for the whistle to begin a penalty kick

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In-Game – Penalty Kick (Law 14)

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Post-Game

Wait on the field for teams to finish their handshake line
Return the game ball(s) to the correct team
Ensure you and your fellow referees know the correct score

Incident Reports

If any cards were issued, make sure everyone on your crew is aware of what happened
Everyone must complete a report, even if you issued the card or not

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Implicit Bias

Individuals are not actively aware of having prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, or how those biases might influence behavior.

How and why does this matter to a referee?

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Implicit Bias

WCSA has many teams that are made up of minority players from various ethnicities
Implicit bias can affect many referees in how they call & manage a game
Any player, coach, parent, etc. may feel someone or many are being singled out based on how a game is officiated

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Implicit Bias

How can you manage this as an official?

Being able to explain to other people how and why you made a given decision
Deliberately and carefully considering our decisions and any unintended impacts they might have
Knowing what we are looking for ahead of time – have decision criteria in mind

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Important Dates

August 9^th & 10^th – Possible scrimmage games

August 11^th – Regular season starts

August 16^th & 17^th – First full weekend

October 18^th/19^th & 25^th/26^th – WCSA Tournament

October 25^th & 26^th – Victory/Dominic Tournament

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Assigning/Scheduling

All assigning will be managed through TeamSideline and wcsasoccer.com
Will be required to block out days/times. Calendar will default to “Available”
Games scheduled in sets of 2-4 on weekends, minimum of 2 during the week
Monday-Thursdays begin at 5:30
Saturdays begin at 8:00am and run through 3:00/4:00pm
Sundays begin at 1:00pm and run through 5:00/6:00pm

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Assigning/Scheduling

Need to stay up-to-date on your availability to prevent declines
Repeated declines will result in not being scheduled
Must give at least 2-3 hours on a day to receive games
Games must be accepted in a timely manner
Goal is to have each week’s assignments published 1-2 weeks in advance

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Pay

You mean you have to get paid???

Passers – 1 referee - $24 per game

Wings – 2 referees - $26 per game

Strikers – 2 referees - $30 per game

Kickers – 3 referees - $36 for center, $22 for AR per game

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Concussion & SafeSport

All referees must complete concussion training every 3 years
Keep a PDF copy on your computer to upload when you get registered on the website

All referees ages 18 & up must complete SafeSport training every year.
Year 1 will be 2-hour training online, and subsequent years will be refresher training
Keep a PDF copy on your computer to upload when you get registered on the website

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Test

50 questions, multiple choice
Must get 70% to pass
Must be completed in 1 sitting, as closing out of the test will lose progress
Must be completed on your own
May use rule book, online training, PowerPoints, etc. to complete

Western Cincinnati Soccer Association