Thank you for your participation this season as a referee in the K-2nd Grade House Program. This document provides everything you need to do your job properly. Go to the “Referees” tab on www.dariensoccer.org for more info.
Match Schedule- Matches are held from 8am to 5pm on Saturdays at Middlesex Middle School. Refs must arrive 15 minutes before the match starts. 5-10 minute warm up MAXIMUM. When you are done, leave the game ball at mid-field for next group.
Pay - $15 per match for K-2, $20 for Club Linesman. Paid at end of the season. .
Uniform- Solid Yellow Rec Referee Jersey, Black Socks with 3 stripes, all black shorts, Whistle and WRIST WATCH. Available at Darien Sports Shop. In cool or damp weather, you may wear extra layers (long sleeved and full pants) under your uniforms. Yellow or Black colors are ideal. Referees must be in complete uniform in order to work matches. Shirts tucked in!
Match Assignment process- On DSA home page, go to the blue menu list on left side. Click on “Official’s Area”. Log in using your email address and your first name as the password. Once you are logged in, click on Master Schedule in the menu list on left and scroll down to K2 games. Click on any game in red to assign it to yourself. You will get a reminder e-mail. More details are on the Official’s Area page and under the Referee tab at top of page.
Job Description- The most important part of our job is to keep control of the match to make sure that the players are safe. Check players equipment before the game starts. Socks covering shin guards. Use your whistle to stop play whenever things get too rough. Blow your whistle loud so everyone can hear it. NO WIMPY WHISTLES!!!!
You are in control of the match, not the coaches, or the parents. However, work with the coaches regarding substitutions, time remaining, injuries, etc. Start of on the right foot by introducing yourself to each coach at the start of the game. Build some rapport. At no time should parents enter the field. The Coaches are responsible for keeping the parents in control.
The most effective way to control the match is by stopping the game when needed. By stopping play you put the pressure on the adults to behave. If everyone else is waiting around for the game to re-start they will. IF ANY COACHES OR PARENTS MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, STOP THE GAME IMMEDIATELY AND LET ONE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER COACHES KNOW!
The other major component of your job is to teach the players some of the basic mechanics of the game such as a proper throw-in, goal kick, hand balls, etc. Also help them understand field position by having the spread out every time you stop play.
Remember that these are young kids. It will take many matches for them to learn and remember what you teach them. The primary goal of this program is for the kids to have fun and get a lot of touches on the ball. Don’t blow your whistle and stop the game too often. Let them run and play.
|
Rec Laws
|
Kindergarten
|
1st Grade
|
2nd Grade
|
|
Players
|
4 vs. 4
|
4 vs. 4
|
5 vs. 5
|
|
Time
|
MAX. 5 MIN. WARM UP! 2/25 min. halves. 5 min. at half time.
|
|
Pre-Game Inspection
|
Line up players and check equipment. All must have shin guards with socks covering them. Nothing sharp on bottom of cleats.
|
|
Safety
|
Your most important job. Teach players to stop when they hear the whistle. Have all players sit down and let the coach (not parents) attend to any injured player.
|
|
Kick off (at Start of each half, & after a goal)
|
All Kick off take place at Mid Field. Opponents must be 10 feet away and in their half of field. Team wearing Pinneys Kicks Off at start of the match. Opponents Kick off to start 2nd half. Kick off at Mid-field after each goal.
|
|
Push, Trip, Tackle
|
Keep player safety in mind. At this age, kids will do a lot of harmless bumping into each other, or trip and fall on their own. However, if play is getting rough, or a player is using too much force, blow the whistle, explain the infraction, and give a free kick to the other team. Break up the pack around the ball and have players spread out. At least 10 feet from kicker.
|
|
Hand Ball
|
Do not call. Remind them to keep hands down
|
Call intentional hand balls only. Did the ball hit the hand, or did the hand reach for the ball?
|
|
Throw-in
|
Ref Demonstrates Proper method. 2 hands, Ball behind head, feet behind line. Remind them to keep both feet down. Thrower cannot play the ball until someone else touches it. Give them one extra try only. After 2nd throw, ball is in play. Also spread other players out to find open space. Particularly at older ages where they know how to throw, focus more on spreading players out.
|
|
Corner Kick
|
No corners, always Goal Kick
|
Ball goes out, last touched by defense, opponents 5’ from kicker
|
|
Goal Kick
|
Opponents 10 feet away from kicker. Place ball mid-way between the goal post and the corner flag, 10 feet out from the end line.
|
|
Penalty Kick
|
No Penalty Kicks Called!
|
|
Subs
|
Whenever play is stopped, WITH PERMISSION OF THE REF.
|
What are the Tools that a Referee can use? Definition- A tool is something that makes it easier for you to do a job well.
- Your Uniform- This is a tool you use, even before you show up at the game. If you arrive wearing the proper uniform people will give you respect and do what you ask. What do you think about when you see a Police Officer in uniform? “I better be good when I am around him.”
- Your Timing- Be on time. Arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the match. If the players and parents arrive and see that you are already there, preparing to get the game going, they will help. If you come running in late, they are not going to be happy about having to wait around for you to show up. Help your parents by being ready at home with your uniform and gear all set, rather than running around at the last minute.
- YOUR (STRONG) WHISTLE- The whistle is your #1 tool. It gets people’s attention and tells them to stop……but only if they can hear it. Weak whistle blowing will get you into trouble. People either won’t hear it, or will ignore. NO WIMPY WHISTLES!!
- Your Position- Keep moving on the field, staying close enough to play so that you can step in when needed, but not so close that they are kicking you instead of the ball J. If the ref just stands around midfield and only takes a few steps one way or the other, it looks to the parents like you aren’t involved and don’t care. Don’t get caught too far from where the play is. Keep Moving.
- Your Soccer Skills- You are more of an INSTRUCTOR than a referee. You are teaching the kids the mechanics of the game. Stop when the ball goes out, Stop when you hear a whistle, take a knee if someone gets hurt. Explain to them what they are supposed to do for a goal kick, demonstrate how to do a throw in, spread the kids out before your restart play. Parents will be happy to see that you are helping their kids learn.
- Peer Pressure- If an adult is making your job difficult, the most effective way to control the match is by stopping the game. By stopping play you put the pressure on them to behave. If all of the players and parents are waiting around for the game to start the person causing the problem will stop. TAKE YOUR TIME. ASK THEM TO COOPERATE. DO NOT RESTART THE GAME UNTIL THEY ARE OFF THE FIELD OR HAVE CALMED DOWN.
- Pro Coaches- IF ANY COACHES OR PARENTS MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, STOP THE GAME IMMEDIATELY AND LET ONE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER COACHES KNOW!
9/8/2015 Contact: dsak2refs@gmail.com
