Kings Soccer Club Referee Notes

Referees are to be paid in cash by the home coach before the start of the game. Coaches need to bring exact change, as referees are not expected to make change.  Each game should have 2 referees.  In the event one referee officiates a game, that referee should receive both game fees (so double pay).

The following is the amount per referee:

Any time you arrive to work a game, you must bring the following:

        REQUIRED

a.       Whistle

b.       Sports watch (preferably one with a countdown timer)—a stopwatch is OK, but really not recommended.  Using a phone to keep time is strictly prohibited and could lead to disciplinary action, up to and including removal of Kings referee status.

c.       Black shorts or pants

d.       For 6U & 8U levels, a plain black or yellow shirt is acceptable.  For 10U and above, it is preferable that you purchase a referee jersey.

e.       Writing utensil for the game cards.  We will be using game cards for 8U games and above. 

f.        Set of red/yellow cards which will be supplied upon successful completion of training

g.       Referee badge for 10U & up games

h.       Appropriate footwear for running.  Cleats or normal athletic shoes will work.

i.         Black socks - They do NOT have to be the referee type.  They can be low socks.

j.         SAY rule book which will be supplied at training

RECOMMENDED

k.       Referee bag to keep all your required items ready and available in one place

l.         Plastic bag. In case of rain, you want to be able to protect your phone.

m.     Hat & sunscreen for sunny days

n.       Plenty to drink

What does the Club expect from its referees?

All referees must fulfill their commitments and work their games as assigned and accepted.  If you cannot do so, you are required to contact Deb Cowan as soon as you are aware that you are not able to work your games.  You must not give your games to another referee without first getting approval through Deb.

Failure to show up for an assignment without previous notification will lead to disciplinary action, up to and including removal of Kings referee status.

You must arrive no less than 15 minutes before your first game time.  When you arrive at the fields, you must have on the required uniform and have with you the required items needed to perform your job (as detailed in #6).

All referees must conduct themselves professionally and politely when at the soccer fields.  When working a game, you must maintain your focus on the game and officiate the game to the best of your ability.

In the event of thunder OR lightning, you must follow procedure as outlined in the SAY rule book.  This includes stopping play and evacuating the fields.  You must wait 30 minutes from the LAST incident of thunder OR lightning before play can resume.  Both referees must confer with both coaches before any decision is made to suspend the game for the day.  If this decision is made, the referees will keep the full fees and the home coach will receive new funds from the Club for the rescheduled game.

If you have any issues with a coach or parent during a game, please report details to Deb upon conclusion of the game.  Also, you must report to Deb if your partner referee does not show up for the game.

What does “disciplinary action, up to and including removal of Kings referee status” mean?

Being a Kings referee is both a job and a privilege.  As such, you must fulfill the requirements and expectations to continue to referee for the Club.  If you are unable to satisfactorily do so, you may be limited in the assignments you are given or you may not be assigned at all.

It is completely up the Club’s discretion to determine any individual’s referee status and game assignments.

The Build-Out Area - Small-Sided 7v7 Fields

The Build-Out Area on each half of the field is located between the Offside Line and the Goal Line and bound by the two touchlines.

The Build-Out Areas are designated for use only on the small-sided 7v7 playing fields and shall only be used for 8-U / Passers and 10-U / Wings matches.

SMALL-SIDED 7 v 7 BUILD-OUT AREA - 8-U / Passers & 10-U / Wings

The opposing team must move outside the Build-Out Area:

A. on all goal kicks;

B. on any defensive free kick taken anywhere within the Build-Out Area (and players must also move and remain at least 8-yards from the ball);

C. whenever the goalkeeper gains possession of the ball with their hands during play.

The opposing team’s players must remain outside the Build-Out Area until the ball is put back into play on all restarts within the Build-Out Area by the defending team.

A. On goal kicks the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.

B. On free kicks (DFK or IFK) taken from within the Penalty Area the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.

C. On free kicks (DFK or IFK) taken from outside the Penalty Area the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.

D. On goalkeeper possession the ball is play when:

(1) the ball is placed on the ground and kicked;

(2) the goalkeeper releases the ball by rolling it into play

(3) the goalkeeper releases the ball by throwing it into play

Goalkeepers have six (6) seconds to put the ball back into play once the ball is in their possession and all the opponents have moved outside the Build-Out Area.

After the ball is put back into play, the opposing team’s players may then move into the Build-Out Area and play resumes as normal.

Opponents who enter the Build-Out Area before the ball is put back into play are guilty of encroachment. The Referee should stop play and restart with an indirect free kick (IFK) at the spot of the encroachment.

Goalkeepers are not allowed to punt or drop-kick the ball. If the goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball, an indirect free kick (IFK) is awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense.

At any time the defending team may put the ball back into play before their opponents have moved outside the Build-Out Area, but by doing so they accept the positioning of their opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.

In 10-U / Wings division games players are not in an offside position when they are completely within the area between the two Offside Lines and thus cannot be guilty of being offside. Attacking players are in an offside position only when they are in an opponent’s half of the field between the Offside Line and the Goal Line, i.e. the Build-Out Area. There is still NO offside in 8-U.

In addition, in the 8-U / Passers and 10-U / Wings divisions when any free kick is being taken by the kicking team from within their own Build-Out Area, players of the opposing team should move and remain outside the Build-Out Area, as well as being eight (8) yards from the ball. [See Law VIII].