Merrill Soccer Officiating Seminar

Presentation Designed byBryan Schroder

Welcome

• Purpose– To review the basics and fundamentals of

officiating– To establish uniformity in officiating– To eliminate “creativity” in officiating

Officiating

• What is expected of me ? (as an official)– Be on time!– Ask Questions– Work Hard– Have Fun

Officiating Program

Overview

Local Officiating Program

• Referee-in-Chief– Bill Wendorf• cbbmwen@gmail.com

• Local Scheduler/Head Referee– Bryan Schroder• shimages@charter.net

Game Reports

GAME REPORTS

• The Official game report will serve as the Official’s version of the incidents occurring on the pitch.

• Key points to remember:– Include any unusual circumstances that occurred during

the game.– Note specific player(s) involved.– Describe any infraction that requires a suspension

THOROUGHLY.• Must be filed immediately following games

GAME REPORTS

• Cautions and Ejections– Key points Continued:• Be brief and only describe pertinent information.• Make sure you have the players name and team

#/color• Be accurate and complete in your descriptions.• Avoid expressing an opinion by only stating facts.

• Must be filed immediately following games

Concussions

• Referees should review wiaawi.org about new Wisconsin concussion law– If a referee thinks a player has a concussion,

inform coach and don’t allow player to return that day.• Game report immediately so board can ensure that

player is treated properly before returning to play.• Board has some serious responsibilities with the NEW

Wisconsin law.– Your help is greatly appreciated.

GAME REPORTS

• Concussions– Key points Continued:• Be brief and only describe pertinent information.• Make sure you have the players name and team

#/color• Be accurate and complete in your descriptions.

• Must be filed immediately following games

GAME REPORTS

• Key points Continued:– Distribute the game report to Bryan Schroder.• Avoid unnecessary discussions about incident • Call with any questions

• Must be filed immediately following games

Personal AppearanceOfficials

Looking the Part

• Create a Positive Impression• Build Credibility• Defines Your Roll as an Official– Teacher and Game Manager

• Good Looks Compliment Good Skills

• Looking Like an Official Commands Respect

Equipment Needs

• Jersey– Pick one up from concession stand

before first game• Shorts– Black preferred but not required

• Shoes– Cleats (recommended)

Equipment Needsfor the Official

• Whistle– I always have a spare one as well

• Watch (timer function helpful)• Coin• Cards – Also available in concession stand

• Pen/Pencil• Paper– Wallet pages and Pay Vouchers on web-site

Pre-Game Responsibilities

Officiating Etiquette

• Punctuality– 15 minutes prior (minimum)

• Short conversations with players and coaches : be polite– Avoid opinions of other officials– Avoid controversial matters

• Good warm-up a must

Visual Inspection of Playing Area

• Checking the goals– Holes in netting• Fix if possible

– Posts properly anchored– Warped goal frames

• Familiarize yourself with area

Post Game

• During hand shake line– Watch players– Stay back away from players

Verbal Communication

• Importance of verbal communication – Explains penalty reason– Official should briefly explain to player (younger

age groups only)• Be brief and to the point• Speak to captains– Coaches when necessary– Other reasonable players also

Officials are Teachers

• Penalties are always a penalty in younger classes

• Penalties must always be assessed at the lower levels whether accidental or intentional – EXAMPLES:• Tripping• Holding• Charging

Rules

Points of Emphasis

• Safety– #1 priority

• Slide tackling– NOT allowed in U6, U8 or U10– Never allowed from behind

• Jewelry– Must be removed

Rule #1

• Field of play– Not much to worry about for us.• People laying out fields do a great job

– Goals and nets• Should be checked and holes fixed as necessary• Let someone in the concession stand know about any

other problems that you can’t fix.

Rule #2

• The Ball– One of the reasons to show up 15 minutes early• Pick up game ball at concession stand• Return to concession stand after game

– Balls will be kept properly inflated in concession stand

Rule #3

• Players and substitutions– U8• 9 players – 8 players and the goalie

– U10• 10 players – 9 players and the goalie

– U12 and above• 11 players – 10 players and the goalie

Rule #3

• Substitutions– All levels• Goal Kicks and after goal

– Both teams

• Throw-ins and corner kicks– If team in possession has subs, both teams can sub

– If coaches have them at center, easy to know when they are ready to sub.

Rule #4

• Players equipment– Covered in other slides• Can allow players to play without shin guards during

first week of games.

– Cast and/or braces• Inspect to ensure that they won’t cause injury to other

players• Questions, find Bill, Bryan, Josh Hipke, or Russ Noland

Rule #5

• The Referee– Covered in other slides• Any problems, let Bill or Bryan know

– Uniform• Pick up jersey and cards at concession stand• Keep and wash as necessary

– merrillsoccer.com• Wallet cards

– Use to keep track of scores/captains/cards

• Pay vouchers

Rule #6 and Rule #10

• Rule #6– Other officials and their duties• Not relevant in Merrill Soccer leagues

• Rule #10– Scoring• Covered later

Rule #7

• Duration of the game– Halftime• 5 minutes for all levels

– U8• 4 x 10 minutes

– U10• 2 x 25 minutes

– U12, U14 and U17• 2 x 30 minutes

Rule #8

• Start of play– Coin Toss• Decides who gets ball possession first • Decides who defends which goal first

– After a goal• Non-scoring team kicks off

– After halftime• Opposite team kicks off from first half

Rule #9

• Ball in and out of play– Out of play• When the entire ball crosses a boundary line • When the game has been stopped by the referee

– In play• The rest of the time

Rule #11

• Offsides– A player is offsides when he/she is nearer to the

opponents goal line than the ball unless:• In his/her own half • Has at least two opponents between them and the goal

line– Goalie and one defender or two defenders

Rule #12

• Violations and Misconduct– Violations• Spitting• Kicking• Striking• Tripping• Jumping at an opponent

Rule #12

• Violations and Misconduct– Fighting• Ejection and Game Report

– Handling• Deliberately handles the ball• Inadvertent touching shall NOT be penalized

– Holding and Pushing• Pulling the uniform

Rule #12

• Violations and Misconduct– Charging in a violent and dangerous manner– Fouling the goalkeeper– Kicking the ball held by goalkeeper– Obstruction• Running between player and ball without attempt to

play the ball

– Dangerous Play• High kick or lowering the head or playing the ball on

the ground

Rule #12

• Misconduct– Unsporting conduct• Cautions (yellow card)

– Persistent infringement– Dissent– Profane language– Taunting, baiting, and ridiculing– Fails to respect proper distance on kicks– Joins team during game or leaves and returns to field without

permission

Rule #12

• Misconduct– Ejections• Guilty of serious foul play• Guilty of violent conduct• Fighting• Spits at an opponent or any other persons• Denies a goal by handling the ball• Denies a goal scoring opportunity by fouling opponent• Second caution• Uses abusive, threatening or obscene language

Rule #13

• Free Kicks– Direct• Spitting, Kicking, Striking, Tripping, Jumping at an

opponent, Handling the ball, Holding an opponent, pushing, charging, violently fouling the goalkeeper

– Indirect• Playing the ball a second time, offsides, dangerous play,

obstruction, others

Rule #14

• Penalty Kicks– Direct kick violation inside of defensive box• Spitting, Kicking, Striking, Tripping, Jumping at an

opponent, Handling the ball, Holding an opponent, pushing, charging, violently fouling the goalkeeper• Everyone except kicker and goalie must be outside of

penalty box

Rule #15

• Throw-Ins– Both feet down– Both hands over the head

• Second try in U8 and U10– Second try taken by same player after you explain

what they did wrong– Another violation and the other team throws-in

Rule #16

• Goal Kicks– Ball placed in/on goal box– Kicked by defender or goalie• Must leave box before being played by anyone after

kick

Rule #17

Corner Kicks– Defender kicks ball out over end line– Attacking team kicks ball back into play from

corner• Defenders must be as far back as size of center circle

Awarding Goals and Assists

Awarding Goals

• Ball must completely cross the line• Goal credited to player who propelled the ball

into opponents’ goal

Injured Players

Stopping Play

• Thought to be serious injury– Stop play immediately– Always be overcautious

• Not a serious injury– Stop play when team of injured player gains possession– Monitor injured player while play continues

• Always Err on the side of safety

Protective Equipment

• Shin guards: All Players– Must wear shin guards– Must wear a sock completely covering hard plastic

guards– Can wear soft padded style shin guard (younger

levels)

Other Equipment

• Cleats– Optional (tennis shoes are acceptable)– NO baseball or football cleats (Toe cleat)– NO dress shoes or boots

• Hats– Goalies can wear soft yielding cap

• Glasses– Prescription glasses only

Wrap-up

• Always Professional• Look the Part (Professional)• Know the Rules• Display Confidence • Be Impartial• Be Consistent