Bellbrook Soccer Association

Referees Manual

P.O. Box 182

Bellbrook, OH 45305

BSA Referee email: referees@bellbrooksoccer.org

1.0 Welcome and Mission Statement

Bellbrook Soccer thanks you for your involvement in the Recreational Soccer League. Our mission has been to provide youth of all ages with a quality, recreational soccer program that will enhance personal and team skills, a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. The game of soccer provides fun and enjoyment for youth soccer players while being involved in our community.

Bellbrook Soccer is affiliated with the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association (OSYSA). OSYSA is part of the US Youth Soccer Association (usyouthsoccer.org) that provides a strong, developmental foundation and framework for the learning and playing of the game of soccer.

Everything within Bellbrook Soccer begins with the recreational program, education and the fundamentals of the game, reinforcing the fun and love of the game, and providing a smooth transition for players desiring to participate at the competitive levels. We intend to provide a high quality soccer experience for all children. BSA recreational soccer emphasizes participation over winning at all costs –EVERYONE PLAYS!

Please note that the rules found in this manual override those rules defined in the OSYSA manual.

2.0 Recreational Program Overview

2.1 Overview

BSA Recreational offers a recreational soccer program designed to promote skills development along with the enjoyment of the game. The program targets new players, players with recreational league experience and players interested in maintaining and enhancing their skills. In following US Youth Soccer’s recommendations we utilize the “Micro Soccer” program. The goal of Micro Soccer is to increase the level of play and fun for the players while becoming physically fit learning of the game of soccer.

2.2 Parents & Spectators Code of Conduct

Parents and spectators are to:

· Practice good sportsmanship by encouraging and applauding skilled play by both teams.

· Avoid dissent, be a positive influence in the match, and not be a negative or disruptive force, as their child will not understand why they may have to leave the game.

· Sit back and enjoy the game; no matter what the level of play, winning and losing are only part of the game.

· Refrain from using drugs, alcohol or any tobacco products at all youth soccer events.

· Communicate any safety concerns to a coach, official or administrator of anything that they feel is, or may create, a dangerous situation for anyone attending games or practices.

· Remind others, when necessary, of the Parent’s Code of Ethics politely and with respect.

It shall be against the rules of Bellbrook Soccer for a parent or spectator to threaten, harass, or intimidate soccer officials, coaches, or children in anyway. This includes before, during or after all games sanctioned by BSA. Failure to comply with this rule could mean immediate expulsion from the game and field area (in sight or earshot of the official) and/or loss of game by judgment of the BSA Board. Any physical contact with soccer officials could result in legal action by BSA or others.

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their parents and spectators. Parent or Spectator misconduct may result in the coach receiving a yellow and/or red card. It could also result in the suspension of the game by which the outcome would then be decided by the BSA Board (i.e. game forfeiture, replaying of games less than ½ in duration, declaring a winner of games over ½ in duration).

3.0 Game Protocols

3.1 General Rules

· All children MUST play 50% of each and every game. A child cannot play in the same position for more than half of the game.

· Substitutions are continuous and may be done at any stoppage of play.

· Coaches are not allowed on the field during the game for U8 through Strikers.

· Coaches are expected to stay within their team’s “tactical” area, between the penalty box line (18 yard line) and within one yard of the halfway line on their designated side of the field. Referees have the authority to enforce this location.

· In cases where the game is stopped for an injury and coaches enter the field, the player is expected to leave the field. The opposing coach may also substitute one player at this time. (Law III 2. (3.)

· A team may have a maximum of two persons in a coaching capacity for their team and on the sideline at match time, one of which must be at least 21 years of age.

· Field players must switch sides each Half.

· Team/Coaches sidelines are to be opposite from the parent’s side of the field.

· Home team is responsible for providing the game ball.

· No guest player may play on either recreational team. Only players that have valid registrations for the current season on file with BSA are permitted to play. Penalty includes forfeiture of all games and coach dismissed from the league.

· In the event of a referee no show, it will be the coach’s responsibility to ask for volunteers to referee the game. Referee no shows should be reported to the referee coordinator and supervisor.

· Following the game, coaches and players should line up and shake hands. All coaches should sign the referee card (U8 Divisions on up)

3.2 Keeping the Game Fair and Fun

It’s great to win but there is no useful purpose in devastating your opponent. A team substantially ahead (more than three goals) of their opponent should employ the following:

· Ease up on their offensive tactics and use this opportunity to give players with the less ability additional playing time

· Concentrate on developing tactical skills as a team rather than scoring

· Reposition players to less familiar positions.

3.3 Inclement Weather

Safety is Priority One! Please be safe out on the field and follow these guidelines:

· League wide cancellation Coaches and referees will be notified by their Divisional Liaisons respectfully up to 1 hour before their scheduled game.

· When in doubt as to whether a game is on or not – SHOW UP. Do not assume that because earlier games were cancelled, your game will be too. Determinations to suspend play are made as late as possible, with the intent to play all scheduled games.

· Rescheduling games: Contact your Divisional Liaison about rescheduling games. All games must be rescheduled as much as possible.

· If 1 hour before the game, the President, & Referee Coordinator in conjunction with the Divisional Liaisons may cancel the game. If the game has started or will start shortly, only the field referee may cancel the game.

· Temperature: No games or practices will be held if the temperature is less than 32 degrees or the wind child is less than 32 degrees.

· Rain/Snow: Games will be played in light to moderate rain/snow.

· Standing Water: There will be no games or practices if there is standing water on the field or there is lightning. In the event of strong downpours or significant rainfall resulting in flooding or standing water on the fields, games may be cancelled for the day, or for a portion of the day. This decision shall be at the discretion of the referee or league official.

· Lightning/Thunder: There will be no games or practices if lightning or thunder is heard. Referees shall terminate play and request players, coaches and spectators find appropriate shelter. No exceptions. You may hear a loud blast from an air horn indicating to clear the fields.

· Game Delay: After hearing thunder or seeing lightning, all teams must wait a full 30 minutes. If conditions improved after 30 minutes, the game will restart. Once thunder is heard again or lightning seen, the 30 min. delay must begin again. If this continues for 40 continuous minutes, the game should be cancelled and rescheduled through the Divisional Liaison.

4.0 BSA REFEREES

4.1 Referee Responsibilities

Here are some referee’s game responsibilities in addition to the laws of the game:

· Show up to your appointed game. If you are not able to attend, please try and find a suitable replacement and notify the Referee Coordinator. (the earlier the better)

· Be dressed as a referee and bring a whistle, watch, pen

· Enforce areas where players, coaches and spectators are expected to stand.

· Show up 15 min. prior to game time to inspect the field for safety

o Make sure goals are fixed in place and nets are secure

o Fields are clear of dangerous objects

o Fields do not have standing water on them

Check in under shelter two with the divisional referee supervisor to pick up your game card and monies.

· Fill out the game card with the team numbers, division, date & time of kickoff before you start the team inspection

· Inspect the team 5 min. before the game starts by calling them to the center line for “player inspection”

o No toe cleats

o No casts (even with bubble wrap)

o No earrings, rings, beads, necklaces, bracelets (medical alert bracelets are fine but must be taped to their wrist)

o No hard plastic, beads or metal hair ties

o Each player must wear shin guards and they must be covered with their socks

o The game ball must be safe with a ½ inch of compression when squeezed with the thumbs.

· To start the game, blow your whistle to call teams on to the fields for kick off, allow them to set up, and then count the players to make sure there are enough and not too much.

· Do not show yellow or red cards in the U8 Divisions.

· Give clear, loud instructions with your whistle. Unless you blow hard, they will not know when to stop or change. Use your whistle to notify everyone when the game starts & stops as well as when you need the attention of everyone involved.

· Use a loud outdoor voice and be clear with your instructions.

· Instruct with your hands and arms (pointing, showing which way a throw-in or kick must go, notifying the coach when they can substitute)

· Do not allow players to bump, push, raise their arms up to block the ball, pull on jerseys, hair or other body parts, or hit another player. They must not use bad or offensive language. If they do, the game must stop and a kick be given to the other team. If the same player continues this behavior, the coach should be asked to remove their player off the field.

· On throw-ins, encourage players to keep their feet on the ground and throw the ball evenly from behind their head. In the U8 division do not have children redo incorrect throw ins, rather let play resume and then call the player who did the incorrect throw in over to the sign to clarify throw in rules. In U10,  if incorrect the throw in shall go to the other team.

· Injured players may have their coach come get them off the field and should be removed from the field to allow play to resume. The coach may send in a substitution for the injured player.

· When the game is over, shake the hands of each of the coaches and have each coach sign and make any notes on the card. Place the game card in the hands of either the divisional referee supervisor or the referee coordinator. You may also make notes on the cards if you have problems with the coaches

· Remember that you are in charge of the game, not the coaches. You keep the time, make the decisions and must be polite, calm & clear on your decisions.

· If you have any problems, please contact first your referee supervisor, then the referee coordinator, and other divisional commissioners or board members if necessary before, during & after the game.

4.2 Referee/Coach Communications

Please discuss CALMLY your concerns with the Coach (or an on site adult ref mentor) during a Quarter break or after the game. Remember, you are learning the game as well as learning to communicate with adults and other children.

· DO NOT CONFRONT the coaches or parents in a criticizing manner.

· Please contact the Referee Supervisor or Ref Coordinator if you feel:

o a Law was not applied correctly

o If a coach are not clear on a law

o the coach did not promote a safe and fun environment

At the end of the game provide the coaches with the score card that has an area on the back for “comments” that may document the problems.

4.3 Games with No Referees ( U8 Division and U10)

In the event of a no-show of a referee, each coach shall be responsible for refereeing 1/2 of the game or obtaining a representing to referee 1/2 of the game. The “volunteer” referee may be a coach or a willing parent.

5.0 Program Description: