Learning Center

Referees,

• I've gotten a lot of comments and photos from the referee feedback page this season regarding the safety of the players.
• Specifically goal keepers. 
• This weekend, let's focus on calling challenges on keepers early to prevent injuries.
• Be proactive and in the position to make these decisions. Safety of players should be our number one concern.
• Look for clips to the heals after ball has been played and watch for elbows hitting above the shoulders.
• Don't be afraid to call it, and if necessary issue a card.
• If a coach or player disagrees with this approach, simply say, keeping the players safety at the forefront is your priority.

How do referees Improve?

·       To be a good referee, you must continue to learn and improve with every game.

·       Experience is the best teacher and confidence builder. The more games you do, the more comfortable and confident you’ll be.

·       If something occurs in a game and you aren’t sure if you made the correct decision, after the game, go back to the Laws of the Game.

·       Talk to more experienced referees about the decision you made and whether or not you should have done something differently. Call or email an experienced referee with the question.

·       Watch experienced referees and notice how they deal with specific situations that cause you trouble in a game.

·       Have experienced referees watch and critique you, and then remember to try the suggestions they give you.

·       Seek out experienced referees to work with. By running lines for experienced referees, you gain a better appreciation as to what the protocols of the game are as well as learning about ways in which you can improve your game. This is an excellent tool. Once you have done this for several games, ask to have experienced referees as your assistant referees when you work the center.

·       Go slow in advancing to more difficult matches – don’t rush it, but also challenge yourself to keep growing as a referee by taking more challenging assignments once you have reached a comfort level where you are currently being assigned.

·       Attend seminars, workshops and clinics.

·       Watch games of every age and competitive level whenever possible. This helps you not only by watching skilled referees work, it also helps you to learn more about how the game is played.

 

Since 2012 referees have been instructed that a head, neck, spine or facial injury is to be treated as serious. The referee must stop play and the player removed from the field safely for evaluation and treatment. Stoppage for such an injury must occur immediately and not be delayed, regardless of where the ball is.
In December 2015 US Soccer published "Concussion Initiative Guidelines" to increase awareness of how to manage head injuries and to spread that awareness to parents, players, coaches and referees. The online presentation from US Soccer, Concussions in Soccer Overview, is required for everyone.
See: http://www.ussoccer.com/Referees/Resource-Center/Online-Training/Grade-8-Referee-Course.aspx%20
In 2012, referees were provided with 9 "Triggers" to look for when confronted with a possible concussion event.

Those 9 triggers or signs, are:

1) Motor un-coordination

2) Loss of consciousness or lying motionless on field

3) Slow to get up

4) Unsteady walk

5) Falling to the ground

6) Grabbing or clutching the head

7) Dazed or confused

8) Blank or vacant look

9) Facial cut in association with any of the above

What has changed for the Referee in 2016 as a result of the Guidelines?

Health Care Professional (HCP) is defined as a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a Certified Trainer (CT) . No other designation is under the HCP umbrella for this definition.

1)All players, including goalkeepers, who leave the field for serious injury, possible concussion, MUST be evaluated by a Health Care Professional (HCP) before being allowed to return to play (RTP)

2) Prior to the match referees must ask if an HCP is present. (A specific introduction may be needed if a League or Association has not already defined the procedure for requesting the HCP's services.)

3) Once the Referee determines that a player must be evaluated for a serious injury, with the possibility of concussion, there are two options if that player seeks to RTP.

a. The designated HCP present gives the player clearance to return and the referee may allow player re-entry at an appropriate time. (Allowing RTP does not mean that the referee crew should not continue to observe the player for any of the 9 triggers. Observation of any of the signs means play is stopped and the evaluation process/treatment starts over.)

b. Without an HCP present, if the player enters the field to RTP, the referee must stop play and require the player to again leave the field. (Do not deny re-entry because technically until the player steps onto the field, s/he is not again a player.)

Referees must know the local Rules of Competition for all affiliated games. For example, is there a form to be filled out by the designated HCP and presented to the referee allowing RTP? Even with a signed release the referee crew is still responsible to monitoring the behavior of the player for signs of possible concussion.

Regardless of the HCP requirements, the referee should include a report of any serious injury. Full details would include what was observed, time in the match and all actions taken. Specify whether the player did or did not RTP. Report if and when the player does RTP and any subsequent decision to require the player to leave the field again.

REFEREE HEALTH AND SAFETY (from ussoccer.com website)

As part of U.S. Soccer's commitment to health and safety, our medical and
referee experts have prepared the following recommendations for the referee
community and incorporated them into our referee education materials.

In the interest of health and safety, U.S. Soccer recommends that match
officials practice the following skin care guidelines:

Consider wearing sunscreen daily on areas of exposed skin.
Apply skin protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater 15 minutes prior to
being exposed to the sun.
At a minimum, reapply every 2 hours or more frequently if sweating
extensively.
Take advantage of halftime to reapply

Caps may be worn so long as the cap does not endanger the safety of the
official or the players.
The cap should be consistent with the referee uniform and not conflict with
the uniform colors worn by either team. The cap may not bear any commercial
marks or logos.

(NTX Policy as of 7/28/15 - While the wearing of caps in permissible, in
addition to the specifications above, it must be black in color to be
consistent with the referee uniform. No logos are permitted other than the
US Soccer logo.)

Referees and A/R's,

Thank you to all that have successfully entered availability using the process outlined at www.mickeysrefhub.com (attached file) or click on this link:
https://www.mickeysrefhub.com/webadmin/uploads/arlington-referee-availability-10-10-19.pdf

I still receive many questions about how to enter availability or why am I not getting games. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Based on the availability you provided, there may not be games available or that are suitable for your skill level
2. Just because you enter availability doesn't guarantee games
3. If you continually give back games or no show, more than likely I will think twice before assigning you
4. Are you working as hard as you can? or are you just here for the money. Your body language speaks louder than your words.

Things you can do to help get more games:
1. Fill out availability as instructed on my website www.mickeysrefhub.com. Be sure to identify your comfort level as an A/R or center referee - what location (HP or FWRH) and most importantly, the dates with the exact times you can work
2. Remember that every time you take the field, it is a job interview. Jennifer and I are looking for work rate, knowledge of the laws of the games, correct restarts, proper positioning, confident signals, etc.
3. Be coachable - are you asking for feedback?
4. Come to the fields READY TO WORK! Be properly dressed - prepared with water and snacks - come with the correct uniform
5. If you are assigned as a standby - we expect you to arrive 30 minutes prior to that time. Often times standbys show up after games have started and that defeats the purpose of a standby.

I am assigning referees at least two weeks in advance. The earlier you turn in your availability the more likely it is that you will get games.
I appreciate all that you do to make our league one of the best in the area!
Mickey

HOW TO  "Advanced" Referees NEW
Grassroots Advanced Referee Qualified to officiate competitive, small-sided or recreational youth matches and amateur adult matches and will be eligible for regional and national events a. Registration requirements: i. Minimum Age: 17 ii. Experience: 100 games – any level iii. Training (a) In-Person Component: 3 hours (b) Online component addressing issues faced in amateur adult matches iv. Laws of the Game Quiz: Online Grassroots Quiz v. SafeSport & Safe Soccer Training: Ages 18 and older vi. Background Check: Ages 17 and older vii. Physical fitness test: FIFA Sprint & Interval Tests (see section VII.A for requirements) viii. Fees: (a) USSF registration: $40.00 (b) Insurance: $5.00 (c) Online & background check fee: $15.00 (d) Assessment fee: $60.00 (non-refundable) (e) Fitness test fee: $10.00 (non-refundable) ix. Assessment: One assessment (see section VIII.A for criteria) b. Recertification requirements: i. Training (a) In-Person Component: 3 hours (b) Online component addressing issues faced in amateur adult matches ii. Laws of the Game Quiz: Online Grassroots Quiz iii. SafeSport & Safe Soccer Training: Ages 17 and older iv. Background Check: Ages 17 and older v. Assessment: One assessment annually (see section VIII.A for criteria) vi. Physical fitness test: FIFA Sprint & Interval Tests (see section VII.A for requirements) vii. Recertification fees: (a) USSF registration: $40.00 (b) Insurance: $5.00 (c) Online & background check fee: $15.00 (d) Assessment fee: $60.00 (non-refundable) (e) Fitness test fee: $10.00 (non-refundable) viii. Assessment: One assessment annually (section VIII.A for criteria) c. Upgrade requirements to Regional Referee: Upgrade only at the recommendation of the State Referee Committee after all requirements have been met for Grassroots Advanced. The Regional Referee upgrade cycle will officially begin with the successful completion of the Regional Referee Advancement Clinic in January (see also Regional Referee requirements VI.A.3)

Fouls: Careless, Reckless, using Excessive Force/Violent conduct

1. Does the player show a lack of attention or consideration when making the challenge?

2. Does the player act without precaution when making the challenge?
3. Does the player make fair or unfair contact with the opponent after touching the ball?

4. Does the player act with disregard for the danger to the opponent?

5. Does the player act with disregard for the consequences to the opponent?
6. Does the player have a chance to play the ball in a fair manner?
7. Does the challenge put an opponent in a dangerous situation?
8. Does the player touch the ball before making contact with the opponent?
9. Does the player exceed the necessary use of force when making the challenge?

10. Does the player use brutality against an opponent when making the challenge?

11. Does the challenge endanger the safety of the opponent?

12. What degree of speed and/or intensity does the player use when making the challenge?

13. Does the player show malice when making the challenge?
14. Does the player lunge at an opponent from the front, from the side, or from behind?

15. Which part of the body does the player use to make contact?

16. Does the player use his/her studs when making a tackle?
17. On which part of the opponent’s body is contact made?
18. In which direction do the tackler’s feet point?
19. Does the player challenge for the ball at the moment in which the contact is made?

20. Does the player charge the opponent in a fair manner?

221. Is the foul an act of violent conduct or of serious foul play?
222. Is the challenge committed in a fair manner or a careless manner?

248. Does the player use an arm as a “tool” or a “weapon”?

Stopping a Promising Attack

21. What is the distance between the offence and the goal?

22. Does the player have control of the ball?
23. Can the player gain control of the ball?
24. What is the direction of play?

25. How many defenders are involved in the situation?

26. Where are the defenders located?
27. How many attackers are involved in the situation?

28. Where are the attackers located?

29. How many options to pass the ball does the player have when fouled?

30. Does the challenge stop a promising attack?
31. How much open space is there for the attacker to move?

Denying a Goal or a Goal-Scoring Opportunity

32. What is the distance between the offence and the goal?

33. Does the player have control of the ball?
34. Can the player gain control of the ball?
35. What is the direction of play?
36. How many defenders are involved in the situation?
37. Where are the defenders located?
38. Does the offence lead to a direct free kick or an indirect free kick?
39. If no offence were to occur, would the player have an obvious opportunity to score a goal?

40. Does the player deliberately handle the ball to deny the opposing team a goal?
41. If the offense occurred inside the penalty area, was the offence an attempt to play the ball?

Handball

42. Does the hand move towards the ball or does the ball move towards the hand?

43. Is the player’s hand or arm in a “natural position” or an “unnatural position”?

44. Does the player attempt to avoid the ball striking the hand?

45. Does the player use the hand or arm to deliberately touch or block the ball?

46. Does the player prevent an opponent from gaining possession of the ball by handling it?

47. Does the player attempt to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball?

48. Does the player prevent a goal by deliberately handling the ball?

49. Does the player prevent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball?

50. Does the player try to deceive the referee by handling the ball?

Holding

51. Does the player hold an opponent to prevent him/her from gaining possession of the ball?

52. Does the player hold an opponent to prevent him/her from taking up an advantageous position?

53. Does the player deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by holding an opponent?

54. Does the player hold an opponent with the hands or with the body?

55. Does the player hold an opponent for the tactical purpose of pulling the player away from the ball?

56. Does the player stop a promising attack by holding an opponent?

Simulation

61. Is there contact between the players involved?
62. Does the attacker use the slight contact to try to deceive the referee?
63. Does the attacker initiate the contact with the opponent?
64. Is there fair/normal contact between the players, resulting in no offence being committed?

65. Does the attacker anticipate the contact with the opponent?
66. Who initiates the contact?
67. Does the player exaggerate the seriousness of the foul committed?

Confrontation

71. Are the original or initial offenders punished appropriately?
72. Are the actions of the players involved excessive with regard to physical contact?
73. Do(es) the player(s) run from some distance to become unnecessarily involved?
74. Are the assistant referees effective in helping prevent further confrontation between the players?
75. Does the referee get “too close” to the incident and become caught up in the confrontation?

76. Does the referee remain calm when dealing with the confrontation?
77. Does the referee touch or push the players?
78. Does the referee try to separate the first players involved at the beginning of the confrontation?
79. Does the fourth official act appropriately?
80. Should any of the match officials make physical contact with players or technical area team personnel?
223. Is at least one player from each team involved in the confrontation identified and punished appropriately?

Management of the Restart

81. Are the referee’s management skills effective in controlling the restart of play?
82. Does the referee indicate to the kicker to wait for a signal to restart play?
83. Does the referee succeed in ensuring that the defensive wall retreats 9.15m and remains at that distance?
84. How far away are the defensive players when the free kick is taken?
85. Does the referee take up the most advantageous position for the restart?
86. Is the ball placement acceptable?
87. Does the defender try to impede a quick restart?
88. Does the player provoke a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play?
89. Does the player appear to take a restart but then suddenly leave the ball so that a teammate takes it?
224. Are disciplinary sanctions correctly applied?

Advantage

91. Is there a team benefit if the referee applies the advantage?
92. Does the fouled player still have possession of the ball after the foul is committed?
93. Is there more of a benefit to apply the advantage or award a free kick?
94. Does the foul committed deserve a yellow card?
95. Does the foul committed deserve a red card?
96. Is the foul committed near the penalty area?
97. Does the fouled player have space to progress?
98. Are there teammates in a good position to receive the ball?
99. After the advantage is applied, should the referee return to administer a disciplinary sanction?

100. Where on the field of play does the offence occur?
225. Should the tempo/temperature of the match be considered?
226. If the player who committed the first offence had previously been cautioned, would it have
been advisable to allow play to continue?
250. Is there a chance that an immediate attack will occur?

Dissent

101. Does a player show dissent by protesting verbally (by word)?
102. Does a player show dissent by protesting non-verbally (by action)?
103. Does a player act in a manner that shows a lack of respect for the game?
104. Could dissent have been avoided had the referee or assistant referee intervened more quickly?
105. Does the referee support his/her colleague following a reaction by a player to a decision made by an assistant referee?
106. Is the correct disciplinary sanction applied (yellow or red card)?
107. Does the referee correctly differentiate between frustration and dissent?
108. Does the captain of the team show dissent by protesting?

Body Language

111. Does the referee show signs of uncertainty?
112. Does the referee’s body language show confidence or alertness?
113. Is the referee slow to react after an incident?
114. Do the referee’s actions inflame the situation?
115. Does the referee remain calm and in control?
116. Is the referee influenced into taking disciplinary action?
117. Does the referee use the whistle appropriately?
118. Does the referee use the cards appropriately?
119. Does the referee signal according to the practical guidelines for match officials?
120. Does the referee make his/her message clear to the player(s) involved?
227. Does the referee raise his/her profile appropriately in more demanding situations?
228. Should a referee remain ‘neutral’ and not make movements as though he/she were going to issue a disciplinary sanction?

Concentration/Awareness

121. Is the referee aware of a possible conflict in allowing the game to continue?
122. Is there immediate communication between the match officials to avoid unnecessary protests or appeals?
123. Does the referee keep his/her focus and concentration throughout the incident?
124. Is the referee in a good position to make the correct decision?
125. Is the communication process to decide who the offending player is appropriate?

126. Why is the disciplinary sanction shown to the wrong player?
127. Is the referee aware of what the Laws of the Game allow in certain situations?
128. Is the player guilty of persistently infringing the Laws of the Game?
129. Is the referee aware of the tactical play of a team to break up play or target individual opponents?
130. Does the referee protect players from potential serious injury?

Teamwork

131. Is the assistant referee closer to the action than the referee?
132. Does the assistant referee have a better view of the incident than the referee?
133. Does the referee have a better view of the incident than the assistant referee?
134. Is the signal from the assistant referee to the referee clear?
135. Does the referee make a decision before the assistant referee signals?
136. Does the incident happen out of the view of the referee?
137. Does the assistant referee inform the referee about any misconduct?
138. Should one of the match officials have seen the incident?
139. Should the fourth official intervene if none of the other officials saw the incident?
140. Has teamwork broken down because of a lack of concentration?
229. Is the assistant referee or the additional assistant referee closer to the action than the referee?
230. Does the assistant referee or the additional assistant referee have a better view of the incident than the referee?
231. Does the assistant referee or the additional assistant referee inform the referee about any misconduct?
232. Should the additional assistant referee intervene if none of the other officials has seen the incident?
233. Should the referee be aware of “upper body” or contact with the hand/arms if the assistant referee is focused on the ball being in or out of play?
234. Does the referee, assistant referee, or additional assistant referee have a clear view of the incident?
235. Is the decision given by the referee or assistant referee credible, given the distance they are from the incident?

Offside

141. Is the assistant referee in a good position to judge offside?
142. Is the player in an offside position? If so, with which part of the body?
143. Does the player in an offside position interfere with play by playing or touching the ball?

144. Does the player in an offside position interfere with the goalkeeper? If so, how?
145. Does the player in an offside position interfere with an opponent? If so, how?
146. Does the player in an offside position gain an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent?
147. Will the ball go to a player who was previously in an offside position after a rebound or a save from an opponent?
148. Does the assistant referee adopt the “wait and see” technique?
149. Is there any other teammate in an onside position who has a chance to play the ball?
236. Does the assistant referee give the benefit to the attacking player when the defender and attacker are in line?
237. Can the field markings help the assistant referee make a correct decision?
Miscellaneous

151. Is the foul committed inside or outside the penalty area?
152. Is the foul committed inside or outside the field of play?
153. Is the ball in play when the offence is committed?
154. Does the player enter or re-enter the field of play without permission?

155. Does the ball enter the goal?

156. Is the ball deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a teammate?
157. Does the goalkeeper deliberately handle the ball?
158. Does the referee need to stop play in this situation?
159. Does the player prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands?

160. Do(es) the player(s) deliberately delay the re-start?

238. Is this violent conduct or merely unsporting behaviour?

Management of Penalty kicks

161. Is the kicker’s goalkeeper in the correct position during kicks from the penalty mark?

162. Do any of the attacking players fail to remain 9.15m before the kick is taken?
163. Do any of the defending players fail to remain 9.15m before the kick is taken?
164. Should the referee have the penalty kick re-taken?

165. Does the goalkeeper gain an unfair advantage by moving before the kick is taken?

166. Does the kicker play the ball a second time before it is played by another player?
167. Does the goalkeeper deliberately attempt to delay the taking of the kick by acting in an unsporting manner?

168. Does the referee ensure that the re-taken penalty kick is carried out in accordance with the Laws of the Game?
169. Is the penalty kick taken correctly and in accordance with the Laws of the Game?

Injuries

171. Should the referee have stopped the game earlier?
172. Are the Laws of the Game correctly applied to the injured player(s) before play is re- started?
173. Should the stretcher have been signalled for earlier?
174. Does the treatment of the injured player(s) take too long?
175. Does the player exaggerate the injury to try to get an opponent cautioned or to deceive the referee?
176. Does the fourth official check the player before allowing him/her to continue?
177. Does the referee play the correct amount of “additional time”?
178. Is the injury assessed before calling for the stretcher?
Assistant Referees

181. Does the assistant referee raise the flag in the correct hand?
182. Does the assistant referee’s flag technique confuse the referee?
183. Does the assistant referee change hands before the flag is raised?
184. Is the assistant referee’s signal correct, given the infringement that has been committed?

185. What else can the assistant referee do to get the attention of the referee?
186. Does the assistant referee’s intervention change the original decision of the referee?

187. Does the assistant referee make eye contact with the referee before signalling?
188. Does the additional assistant referee make the correct judgement?
189. Is the assistant referee or additional assistant referee positioned adequately to decide whether the ball has crossed over the goal line?

Players’ Equipment

191. Is it permissible to wear undershorts of a different colour than the main colour of the shorts?

192. Are players allowed to play without shinguards?
193. Should a goalkeeper wear colours that distinguish him/her from the other players and match officials?

194. Does the player wait until there is a stoppage in play before returning to the field of play?

195. Is a player allowed to continue playing with blood on his/her shirt?
196. Do the colours of the compulsory equipment distinguish the player from the opposing team?

197. Do the stockings entirely cover the shinguards?

198. Do the shinguards provide a reasonable degree of protection?

199. Is a player permitted to wear jewelry?
200. Is a player allowed to wear tape to cover jewelry?

Positioning & Movement

201. Is the referee too close to the incident?
202. Is the referee too far away from the incident to make a credible decision?
203. Is the referee’s view obscured by a player or players?
204. Does the referee create a good viewing angle in order to arrive at the correct decision?

205. Is the assistant referee in a better position than the referee?
206. Are both the referee and the assistant referee in good viewing positions?
207. Does the referee’s position give him/her a good viewing angle?
208. Does the assistant referee’s position give him/her a good viewing angle?
209. Does the referee anticipate play, and show good acceleration and speed?
210. Does the referee keep play between himself/herself and the assistant referee?
239. Is the referee’s position close enough to control the further development of the situation?

240. Is the lead assistant referee within the referee’s field of vision?
241. Does the referee have a good angle of vision?
247. Is the referee in a good position to make the correct decision?
251. Does the referee’s position interfere with play?
252. Does the referee anticipate play and adjust his/her position?
Celebration of a Goal

211. Does the celebration result in excessive time-wasting?
212. Does the player make a provocative gesture?
213. Does the goal-scorer climb onto the perimeter fence to celebrate?
214. Does the player remove his/her shirt whilst celebrating?
215. Does the player cover his/her head with his/her shirt when celebrating?
216. Does the player use a mask to cover his/her head or face?
217. Does the player leave the field of play to celebrate?
218. Does the referee act in a preventative manner and exercise common sense?
219. Does the player jump into or go amongst the spectators to celebrate?
220. Does the goal-scorer display a message on an undershirt or any other part of his/her equipment?
242. Are the goal-scorer’s actions excessive and do they create safety concerns for the spectators?

Delaying the re-start of play

243. Does the player prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball into play?
244. Does the player provoke the referee so as to deliberately receive a caution?
245. Should the referee consider if the player can hear the whistle and clearly tries to delay the restart of play?
246. Does the player delay the restart of play by deliberately kicking the ball away?

Welcome to the opportunity to referee games in Arlington!

Arlington is a great location to work and has all types of games from U4-U19 Recreational, U11-U19 Competitive, Academy U7-U10, Adult games (Men's Div 1, Women Open, Coed, Over 40 & 50 Men)
Expect to work games each day you give availability with games on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

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Group Number: 1448

Group Access Code: MICKEYJ

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