MAYS REFEREE PRE-SEASON MEETING

 

1)     WELCOME

a)     New MAYS By-Laws (substitutions)

b)     USSF LAWS of the GAME and position papers on the website www.massref.net

2)     GAME ASSIGNING APPLICATION - Welcome

a)     Signon update information – address, telephone number(s) - Ö public if you want others to be able to view this information.

b)     Update your availability dates – block the dates/times you are not available.

c)      Update your Sites (Fields) blocks – place a Ö next to the fields that you can’t travel to.  The more Ö you have, the fewer game assignment possibilities you will have also.

d)     Attach yourself to any teams that you are a player, coach, parent etc...  Then you won’t be assigned to referee games during those other games.

e)     Change your status to READY – Ready to accept game assignments.

3)     ACCEPTING GAME ASSIGNMENTS

a)     Game Cancellations & Reschedules

b)     On-line Maps to field

c)      Town/Club Representatives email & telephone

4)     GAME DAY

a)     Collect TWO rosters from each team – Coach must have filled in player jersey numbers.  There are NO game cards.

b)     Collect passcards from coach – U10 all divisions, U12 division 3, and U14 division 3 only have coach passcards. Some Coach passcards may have Fall  printed, those are ok!

c)      Check player equipment – NO Casts, NO earings, NO jewelery, etc..

d)     CHECK TO MAKE SURE GOALS ARE ANCHORED!

e)     At the conclusion of the game return passcards and opposing team’s roster to each coach.  Keep a copy of each team’s roster for payment – see step 9 on page 2 for details.

f)        Signon to the Arbiter and create a report for those game(s).  Enter game status, team score, other official status, and comments on the game – yellow/red cards, poor behavior from coach, player, spectators.

5)     COACH BEHAVIOR

6)     OTHER

Andy Page

MAYS Website:  http://maysl.com

51 Fairview Ave

Mass Ref Website: http://www.massref.net/

Dudley MA 01571

MAYS Referee Website: https://www.thearbiter.net/

508-949-0360

MAYS Treasurer (Referee Payments): RefSteve13@yahoo.com

Email: AndyTpage@aol.com

 

10 STEPS TOWARDS SUCCESSFUL GAME ADMINISTRATION

Pre-Game:

1)      Arrive 30 minutes before game time. You are allowed an additional 15 minutes grace period after the scheduled starting time. If you arrive after the grace period you will not be paid.

2)      Meet the Coaches! Smile! Enjoy the game! Collect 2 copies of the roster from each coach. Keep one copy of each team's roster for yourself. The coaches must have unique uniform numbers for all players.  Player telephone numbers are not required.  Look for the MAYS Registrar signature also.

3)      Collect all player passcards and coach passcards during the player checkin. All adults at the team side of the field need to have a coach passcard.  Cross reference all players, passcards, and rosters.  Jewelry and casts are not permitted as they are considered dangerous - http://www.massref.net/instruction/playersafety.pdf.

4)      If a team(s) does not arrive, please indicate which team did not show on your on-line Game Report (see item 6 below).

5)      For matches with three officials, have a pre-game conference amongst the referees to review procedures and expectations.  A good summary is available at  http://www.massref.net/instruction/pregame.pdf.

KEEP ALL PASSCARDS IN YOUR POSSESSION DURING THE GAME

Post-Game:

6)      In the event of a red card being issued;
Keep the offending player/coach passcard(s),
Notify the MAYS Referee Assignor/President of the player's name, team, and offense.  Include the incident details on your on-line Game Report via the Arbiter. Mail the passcard(s) to the MAYS President within 24 hours.

7)      If there are other problems (cautions, spectators, etc…), please note these on the on-line game report via the Arbiter within 24 hours.  Also, please utilize the M.S.R.C. ARA to discuss any referee related topics.

8)      Return all other passcards to the appropriate coach.  Complete the bottom section of each opposing team roster entering your name, date, team names, and SCORE.  Give to each coach the opposing team’s roster.

9)      When you get home,

a)      Sign-onto thearbiter.net, and complete a game report (Center referees only) for every appropriate game.  Include the game score, and all cautions (yellow cards) and sendoffs (red cards).  Enter these in the COMMENTS section of the report.  Please include the team name, player’s uniform number, player’s name, and description of the incident.  If there is nothing to report, i.e., cautions, sendoffs, injuries, or something that the league should know about, please leave the COMMENTS section blank.  There is no need to report that the game went well.
THIS MUST BE DONE WITHIN 24 Hours of the game!

b)      Mail the rosters (if you are an assistant ref you will not have the rosters that is ok you will get paid):
Steve Tsihlis, MAYS Treasurer, 87 Brookfield Road, North Brookfield, MA 01535

 

LENGTH OF GAMES, OVERTIME PERIODS, BALL SIZES, FEE

Age Group

Game Length

Playoff Over-Time
NOT Golden Goal, then KFTPM

Ball Size

Referee Fee

Under 18/19

Two 45 Minute Halves

Two 10 Minute Halves

5

$50 CR, $30 AR

Under 16

Two 40 Minute Halves

Two 10 Minute Halves

5

$45 CR, $25 AR

Under 14

Two 35 Minute Halves

Two 5 Minute Halves

5

$30

Under 12

Two 30 Minute Halves

Two 5 Minute Halves

4

$25

Under 10

Two 25 Minute Halves

N/A

4

$20

 

See Sample Game Report

 

http://maysl.com/bin/samplegamereport.mht

 

 

 

See Sample Game Schedule

 

http://maysl.com/bin/samplegameschedule.mht

SUBSTITUTIONS

The number of substitutions is unlimited. They may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times:

1. Prior to a throw-in in your favor and .

2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.

3. After a goal by either team.

4. After an injury when the referee stops play.

5. At Half-time.

Substitutions are NOT allowed at corner kicks or free kicks.

UNIFORMS

Uniforms must consist of matching shirts with UNIQUE numbers, matching shorts, matching socks, shinguards, and footwear. Undergarments such as cycling shorts may be worn as allowed per rules published by U.S.S.F. in the Guide for Referees. The colors shall be selected at the option of the team. In the case of a clash of colors, the home team is responsible for changing or wearing pinnies.

TIMING AND FORFEIT OF GAME

Referee and teams must be present at the field 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off time. If the referee does not arrive within 15 minutes after the scheduled time, he/she may not receive any fee. In this case, the coaches of the two teams will appoint an acting referee and play the game. If a mutually acceptable party cannot be found to act as referee, the game must be re-scheduled. In the event of a team being late, the other team must report it to the League for appropriate action. If either team has not arrived within 15 minutes after the scheduled time, the referee will leave the field, and will receive payment. Report this on the on-line game report.  In this case, the missing team will forfeit the game.

COACHES/MANAGERS

Each team must have an adult coach or manager who is not a playing member of that team and must be present at each league game.

PLAYING FIELDS

Proper field markings, GOALS must be ANCHORED, regulation corner flags and goal nets are mandatory and the responsibility of the home team. If one or more of the above conditions are not met, the referee has the power to terminate the game. For the purpose of having the field properly lined and set up, the "home team" is considered to be the team on whose field the game is being played.

PASSCARDS

Players in Divisions I or II will not be allowed to play unless registered with a valid signed and sealed U.S.Y.S.A. passcard. Coaches must also be registered with passcards. Referees will not allow a game to proceed without a registered (carded) coach present for each team.  Division III Players and U10 players will not have pass cards, although coaches must.

SUSPENSIONS

(this is a subset of the MAYS by-law #XXVIII)

item 5. Any assault of a referee will be referred directly to the Mass.Youth office, and the individual will be suspended pending the Mass.Youth report.

GAME DAY ROSTERS

Each coach will provide TWO copies of the team roster approved by M.A.Y.S. to the referee before the start of each game.  Failure to do so will result in a $20 fine to the club, and/or game forfeiture.  A registered (carded) coach must sign the roster.  A maximum of three coaches are allowed at the bench area.  U18 and U19 teams may have a roster of a maximum of 22 players up until May 20!

XIX. ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

 

All persons responsible for a team and all of the spectators shall support the referee.  Failure to do so will undermine the referee's authority and has the potential of creating a hostile environment for players, the referee and all other participants and spectators.

 

Consequently, the MAYS League has adopted the following rule:

 

No one is to address the referee during the Match!

 

Exceptions for persons responsible for a team (Coaches and Managers)

During the game:

·        Responding to a referee initiating communication.

·        Making Substitutions.

·        Pointing out emergencies or safety issues.

 

At half-time or at the end of a match:

·        A coach/manager can ask a referee to explain a rule(s) in a polite and constructive manner.

·        Polite and friendly feedback can be given to a referee.

·        Absolutely NO sarcasm, harassment or intimidation.

 

Penalties:

            1st Minor Infraction       Referee should ignore

            2nd Minor Infraction      A verbal warning shall be given

            3rd Infraction                 Caution

            4th Infraction                 Ejection

            1st Serious Infraction     Caution or Ejection depending upon the seriousness of the infraction

 

Exceptions for Spectators, During the game:

·        Responding to a referee initiating communication.

·        Pointing out emergencies or safety issues.

 

Penalties:

1st Infraction

Referee shall stop the game and ask the coach(es) to quiet the offending spectator.

2nd Infraction

A verbal warning.  The referee shall stop the match and ask the coach(es) to warn the spectator that the next infraction will be an ejection or the referee will abandon the match.

3rd Infraction

The referee shall instruct the coach(es) to direct the spectator to leave the area.  The referee shall abandon the match if the spectator does not comply.

If the referee abandons the match, directs a person to leave the area, or issues a caution; the referee shall send a report to the MAYS President for review.  This review may result in a penalty up to and including suspension and/or forfeit of the match.  Unsporting behavior from coaches, players, referees, or spectators towards others will also not be tolerated and shall be reported to the MAYS President for review. This review may result in a penalty up to and including suspension and/or forfeit of the match.


Mass Youth Coaches Code of Conduct

 

The Board of Directors of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, Incorporated (Mass Youth Soccer) and the leaders of the affiliated Leagues are concerned about the conduct of all coaches and referees during games at all levels, from recreational to premier to ODP.

 

We want to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved.  A soccer game should be friendly and unifying - a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees and spectators.  To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to conform to this Code of Conduct:

 

Ø      Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.

Ø      Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the referee.

Ø      During the game, you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players.  If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at least long enough for him/her to calm down.

Ø      During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of the parents of your players.  It is imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behavior in a preseason meeting.

Ø      Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team.  Discourage them and you may need to be forceful and direct from yelling at players and the referee.

Ø      During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of spectators rooting for your team.

Ø      During the game, do not address the referee at all.  If you have a small issue, discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently after the game.

Ø      If you have a major complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, report your opinion to your League.  Your reactions will be taken seriously if they are presented objectively and formally.

Ø      After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same.

 

We stress two points:

 

Referees - especially young and inexperienced ones - are like your players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game.  You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments.  On the other hand, you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting - or even accepting - your own players' overly aggressive behavior.

 

Your example is powerful, for better or worse.  If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice.  If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you're overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will also notice.

 

Think about what you're doing during a game!  Uphold the Spirit of the Game!  If you follow the expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and well in Massachusetts and will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.

 

Coaches who don't follow the expectations described above will be disciplined or removed.


Code of Ethics for Referees

Ø     I will always maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.

Ø     I will conduct myself honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of my position.

Ø     I will always honor an assignment obligation.

Ø     I will attend training meetings and clinics so as to know the Laws of the Game, their proper interpretation and their application.

Ø     I will always strive to achieve maximum teamwork with my fellow officials.

Ø     I will be loyal to my fellow officials and never knowingly promote criticism of them.

Ø     I will be in good physical condition.

Ø     I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing fairness.

Ø     I will do my utmost to assist my fellow officials to better themselves and their work.

Ø     I will not make statements about any game except to clarify an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.

Ø     I will not discriminate against nor take undue advantage of any individual group on the basis of age, race, color religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

Ø       I consider it a privilege to be a part of the United States Soccer Federation and my actions will reflect credit upon that organization and its affiliates.