ATTLEBORO YOUTH SOCCER

Fall Recreation League Referee Guideline

Under 6 / Under 7

Dual Field: This means that the teams playing each other will play against each other in two games on two fields (both numbered the same number) at the same time, with coaches and players set up in between the fields. The players can be put in either game on either field throughout the game. The point of this is to have the kids doing more playing and less sitting.  Refs working these games work together to start at the same time.

Responsibilities of Ref:

• player safety, enforcement of game laws, and time keeping
• explain the rules to the players at each correction and instruct/assist them in proper positioning as needed
• use your whistle to gain attention of players as needed at the start or stop of play, but do not blow repeatedly

Prior to Game:

• introduce yourself to the coaches
• line the teams up for equipment check, all players must have shin guards and no metal cleats, players may not wear jewelry
• set your watch and communicate with partnered ref to start the games at the same time

Equipment:

• ball size: 3
• pug nets

Number of Players: *

• 4v4, no goal keeper (no player is allowed to “guard” the goal)

Game Duration:*

• 2  15 minute halves, 3 min half-time OR
• 3 8-minute periods, 2 min break between

* number of players and duration will be determined by the coaches prior to the start of the game based on attendance and  weather conditions.  Please check with the coaches prior to the start of the game.

Start of Play:

• At the start of the games, determine which team will kick off using a procedure such as picking a number 1-5.
• Start each quarter or restart the game after a goal is scored with a kick off at the center of the halfway line. Ref places the ball, checks player positions and blows whistle to begin play.
• All players must remain on their own side of the halfway line until the ball is kicked.
• All opposing players must be at least 5 yards from the ball prior to the kick.
• The player kicking the ball may not touch the ball a second time until ANY other player has touched it (a restart is called).
• If play has been stopped due to injury, the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or goal line, whether in the air or on the ground.
• Blow your whistle, make the verbal call and use a hand signal to show direction of play.
• Instruct a player to retrieve the ball as needed.  (You may get it if no one is paying attention enough to be instructed but try to limit this.)

***FOR U6:

• If the ball goes over a sideline, place the ball on the line where it went out.  If the ball goes over the endline, bring it to the nearest corner. A member of the team that did not last touch the ball takes the pass-in or dribble-in. All other players must give the player 5 yards of space before contact. (This is used in place of throw-ins, corner kicks and goal kicks.)
• Ref can assign the Pass/Dribble in if coaches don't; do not let the same players who repeatedly ask to do it.
•  Ref signals the player to proceed on whistle.

***FOR U7:

• If the ball goes over a sideline, a member of the team that did not last touch the ball takes the throw-in. All other players must give the player 5 yards of space before contact..  If the ball goes over the endline, bring it to the nearest corner and have them kick it in from there. (This is used in place of corner kicks and goal kicks.)
• Ref can assign the throw-in if coaches don't; do not let the same players who repeatedly ask to do it.
•  Ref signals the player to proceed on whistle.

For the first few weeks of the season, try to explain what is going on, for example, “The ball went out off of a white player, so it’s the blue team’s ball on the sideline.”  Then, tell the player, “You can pass it in to a teammate or dribble it in.”

Substitutions:

• Coaches can sub players at any stoppage of play, regardless of which team has the ball. 

Scoring:

• Official score is not kept.
• Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-offs, Passes, Dribble-ins, throw-ins or free kicks but are considered a goal and a restart of the game even if the ball goes in the net off of a defensive player.  Balls must fully pass the goal line.

Fouls and Misconduct:

• When a foul occurs, stop play and instruct the players involved of the infraction.  Free kicks are awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the foul.

      Fouls include:  pushing, tripping, kicking and handballs.

• Refs may ask coaches for assistance as needed when dealing with unruly players or if repeated infractions occur.

Under 8-Under 12

6v6 with goalie

Responsibilities of Ref:

• player safety, enforcement of game laws, and time keeping
• explain the rules to the players at each correction and instruct/assist them in proper positioning as needed
• use your whistle to gain attention of players as needed at the start or stop of play, but do not blow repeatedly

Prior to Game:

• introduce yourself to the coaches
• line the teams up for equipment check, all players must have shin guards and no metal cleats, players may not wear jewelry
• set your watch

Equipment:

• ball size: 4
• 12x6 nets

Number of Players:

• 6v6 with Goal keeper

Game Duration:

• 2 - 25 minute halves, 3 minute half-time (optional 4 12-min quarters with 1 min breaks, determined by coaches prior to game)

Start of Play:

•  At the start of the games, determine which team will kick off using a procedure such as picking a number 1-5.

• Start each half or restart the game after a goal is scored with a kick off at the center of the halfway line. Ref places the ball, checks player positions and blows whistle to begin play.
• All players must remain on their own side of the halfway line until the ball is kicked.
• All opposing players must be at least 3 yards from the ball prior to the kick.
• The player kicking the ball may not touch the ball a second time until ANY other player has touched it.
• If play has been stopped due to injury, the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or goal line, whether in the air or on the ground.
• For balls going over the sideline, blow whistle, verbally call which team now has possession (the one who was not the last to touch it) and use a clear hand signal to indicate direction of play.  Instruct player where to take the throw in if necessary.  Be sure the throw in is legal (arms over head, both feet on ground, behind the line).  You can instruct as needed and give another chance to throw in correctly for U8 and U10 players, otherwise the ball will change possession to the other team for a throw in at that spot.
• For balls crossing the end line, there is a goal kick or a corner kick depending upon which team last touched the ball.  Make the call verbally and with a hand signal to corner or goal.
• Goal kick: If the offensive team last touched the ball, the goalie at that end (or another player assigned by a coach) places the ball and takes the kick in front of the net but not past the top of the box.  Ref should be positioned toward center of field in anticipation of direction of play.
• Corner kick: If the defensive team last touched the ball, the ball is placed at the corner closest to where the ball went out for a corner kick by the opposing team. Ref should be positioned on the opposite side of the net from the corner kick to get the best view of all players and the goal line.

Substitutions:

• Coaches may sub players after a goal or during a throw-in or goal kick when their team has the ball.  No subs on a corner kick.

Scoring:

• Official score is kept for U12 only.
• Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-offs, throw-ins, kick-ins or free kicks but are considered a goal and a restart of the game even if the ball goes in the net off of a defensive player.  Balls must fully pass the goal line.

Fouls and Misconduct:

• When a foul occurs, explain to the players involved and the coaches as needed what the infraction was and indicate a direct or indirect kick.
• Direct Free Kick:  A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered by the
  referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
  • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • trips or attempts to trip an opponent
  • jumps at an opponent
  • charges an opponent
  • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • pushes an opponent
  • tackles an opponent

OR if a player:
• holds an opponent
• spits at an opponent
• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

• A direct free kick is taken from the spot of the foul and is shot directly at the net. All players must stand back 8 yards from point of kick.
• Tripping is the most common foul you will see. Checking on the player's status can help you determine the severity of the foul. For example, if the player pops up and begins play again, you may not need to call foul, however if the player is down and upset, call the foul even if you are not sure of the severity.
   
• Indirect Free Kick: An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area:
  • controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession
  • touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from his possession and before it has touched another player
  • touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
  • touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
   
• An Indirect Free Kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the
  opinion of the referee, a player:

 • plays in a dangerous manner
• impedes the progress of an opponent
• prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
 

• An Indirect Free Kick is also called for a ball kicked, punted or thrown in the air past half way

• The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the foul
  occurred and must touch another player before going into the net. If the infraction took place within the box, the ball is placed at the top of the box (6 yards) from the net. Players must be 8 yards from the kick (at the goal line if necessary).

Under 13-Under 16

Responsibilities of Ref:

• player safety, enforcement of game laws, and time keeping
• explain the rules to the players at each correction and instruct/assist them in proper positioning as needed
• use your whistle to gain attention of players as needed at the start or stop of play, but do not blow repeatedly

Prior to Game:

• introduce yourself to the coaches
• line the teams up for equipment check, all players must have shin guards and no metal cleats, players may not wear jewelry
• set your watch

Equipment:

• ball size: 5
• 12x6 Nets

Number of Players:

• 6v6 with Goal keeper

Game Duration:

• 2 - 25 minute halves, 3 minute half-time (optional 4 12-min quarters with 1 min breaks, determined by coaches prior to game)

Start of Play:

•  At the start of the games, determine which team will kick off using a procedure such as picking a number 1-5.

• Start each half or restart the game after a goal is scored with a kick off at the center of the halfway line. Ref places the ball, checks player positions and blows whistle to begin play.
• All players must remain on their own side of the halfway line until the ball is kicked.
• All opposing players must be at least 3 yards from the ball prior to the kick.
• The player kicking the ball may not touch the ball a second time until ANY other player has touched it.
• If play has been stopped due to injury, the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Ball in and out of Play:

• The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire sideline or goal line, whether in the air or on the ground.
• For balls going over the sideline, blow whistle, verbally call which team now has possession (the one who was not the last to touch it) and use a clear hand signal to indicate direction of play.  Instruct player where to take the throw in if necessary.  Be sure the throw in is legal (arms over head, both feet on ground, behind the line).  You can instruct as needed and give another chance to throw in correctly for U8 and U10 players, otherwise the ball will change possession to the other team for a throw in at that spot.
• For balls crossing the end line, there is a goal kick or a corner kick depending upon which team last touched the ball.  Make the call verbally and with a hand signal to corner or goal.
• Goal kick: If the offensive team last touched the ball, the goalie at that end (or another player assigned by a coach) places the ball and takes the kick in front of the net but not past the top of the box.  Ref should be positioned toward center of field in anticipation of direction of play.
• Corner kick: If the defensive team last touched the ball, the ball is placed at the corner closest to where the ball went out for a corner kick by the opposing team. Ref should be positioned on the opposite side of the net from the corner kick to get the best view of all players and the goal line.

Substitutions:

• Coaches may sub players after a goal or during a throw-in or goal kick when their team has the ball.  No subs on a corner kick.

Scoring:

• Official score is kept.
• Goals cannot be scored directly from kick-offs, throw-ins, kick-ins or free kicks but are considered a goal and a restart of the game even if the ball goes in the net off of a defensive player.  Balls must fully pass the goal line.

Fouls and Misconduct:

• When a foul occurs, explain to the players involved and the coaches as needed what the infraction was and indicate a direct or indirect kick.
• Direct Free Kick:  A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered by the
  referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
  • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • trips or attempts to trip an opponent
  • jumps at an opponent
  • charges an opponent
  • strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • pushes an opponent
  • tackles an opponent

OR if a player:
• holds an opponent
• spits at an opponent
• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

• A direct free kick is taken from the spot of the foul and is shot directly at the net. All players must stand back 8 yards from point of kick.
• Tripping is the most common foul you will see. Checking on the player's status can help you determine the severity of the foul. For example, if the player pops up and begins play again, you may not need to call foul, however if the player is down and upset, call the foul even if you are not sure of the severity.
   
• Indirect Free Kick: An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area:
  • controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from his possession
  • touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from his possession and before it has touched another player
  • touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
  • touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
   
• An Indirect Free Kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the
  opinion of the referee, a player:

 • plays in a dangerous manner
• impedes the progress of an opponent
• prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
 

• An Indirect Free Kick is also called for a ball kicked, punted or thrown in the air past half way

• The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the foul
  occurred and must touch another player before going into the net. If the infraction took place within the box, the ball is placed at the top of the box (6 yards) from the net. Players must be 8 yards from the kick (at the goal line if necessary).