NWLSRA Referee Policies (Revised 8/06)
AVAILABILITY
1. Weekend schedule is based on availability of referees that weekend.
2. It is the responsibility of each referee to provide availability to the assignor:
1) via the website (preferred). The website is
www.nwlsra.com
2) by e-mail to
soccerrefereeassignor@gmail.com or
3) by calling the assignor
3. If a referee is called for availability, the referee will be used to fill in scheduling holes, which means you will probably be assigned a majority of assistant referee positions.
CANCELING OR REFUSING GAMES
1. We all have things that occur unexpectedly that can change availability but you must
let the assignor know as soon as this happens.
2. Do not wait until the weekend schedule is posted to say that you can no longer work.
This late canceling means a reworking of the schedule and affects the schedule of many of
the other referees.
NO SHOW
1. As stated in the referee by-laws, Section 4: "Any referee who fails to show up for
an assigned game, without contacting the referee assignor at least one day (24 hours)
in advance, will not be paid for that game, but will also be assessed a fine of equal
to the game fee the referee would have received for that game."
2. Emergencies, injuries, and illnesses within that 24 hours will be evaluated on an
individual basis, so always notify the assignor if an emergency arises. If possible,
call before the assignor leaves for the field. If this is not possible, always leave
a message on the answering machine or if at all possible get a message out to the field.
UNIFORM
1. When you have your uniform shirt on, you must be in complete uniform!!! This
means the shirt must be tucked in and socks pulled up. If you do not wish to do this,
wait to put on the referee shirt until you are ready to take the field.
2. New referees will be allowed to wear a black t-shirt, shorts, and socks their
first weekend only after passing the referee test to allow them time to order a
uniform. If the referee does not have a uniform by the second weekend, they will
not be assigned games!
3. During cold weather you may wear a white or black long sleeve shirt under
your referee shirt. You may also wear black pants but be sure to also wear your
shorts and socks in case the weather warms up.
4. Caps are permitted as long as they are black in color and worn properly.
5. When observing other games, you may not wear your uniform shirt. This can
confuse the referee of that game if a quick glance is taken and he/she mistakes
you for the assistant referee of that game. This could result in a missed
offsides or even worse a serious foul! So, be sure to always have something
to wear instead of or over your shirt if you will be on the sidelines of other games.
DUES AND FEES
There is an association membership dues withheld from
each referee's first pay of each season. This currently is $7 or $10 per season
depending on the referee's age.
Each referee must renew their USSF license each year in November.
WEEKENDS PROCEDURE
1. Arrival time should be at least 30 minutes prior to your first game of the day.
2. Check master schedule to see if there has been any scheduling changes.
3. Initial by your name for each scheduled game.
4. Pick up game cards for the games that you are the center referee.
5. Go to your field -- Remember game time means kickoff time! So, you must
do your pre-game instructions and inspections at least 10 minutes before that time.
6. Due to the tight scheduling of games, do not stop time for minor injuries.
7. Be sure you do not get sidetracked and take a half-time longer than 5 minutes
for this same reason!
8. At the end of your schedule, return to the referee office and place all
completed game cards in the proper box.
9. If you have any questions or problems, see the assignor, one of the referee
field observers (they are the ones wearing the red shirts), or a senior referee.
10. There will be NO game or position swapping without permission of either the
assignor or referee field observer.
BAD WEATHER
The rain out number 673-7755 (Spar rainout number) or our website.
If the games are canceled, the information will be on the SPAR answering machine
and NWLSRA web site. Never assume that games are canceled just because the weather
is bad. This decision is made by CABOSA for their association's games.
SCHEDULES
The weekend schedule will normally be posted on Thursday night but occasionally
as late as Friday on the referee website.
CONFLICTS
Let the assignor know which team you are currently playing with, so that you are
not scheduled to referee during that time.
Be sure and let the assignor know of any teams you should not be assigned
to work, such as siblings' teams or parents' coaching a team. Although
during a shortage, you may be asked to work these games.
REFEREE FIELD OBSERVERS
Referee field observers are senior referees assigned to be at the fields to
offer help and instruction to all referees.
Referee field observers are distinguished by the red shirts that they wear.
Feel free to ask the referee field observers any question or talk to them
about any problems you are having.
If you see a referee field observer watching your game, do not be nervous.
They are not there to criticize or grade you. They are there to observe
parents, coaches, players, as well as the referee crew. They might
approach you during a break in the game and offer you a suggestion on
ways you may improve your game or control a situation they see happening.
If there is a problem, do not hesitate to talk to a referee field observer
even if he/she is not wearing a red shirt (unless he/she is in the middle
of officiating a game) and not assigned to work that day. They will always
be glad to help you with any problem or question!
GAME LEVEL
Referees will be assigned games based upon their skill level,
game experience, availability, and scheduling needs.
Request for game level upgrades should be brought to the attention of the referee assignor.
Game level upgrades will be based on the following:
Evaluations by senior officials--control of game, foul recognition,
use of assistant referees, use of the diagonal system, keeping up
with play, and other skills.
Your availability--how often you sign up to work. Do you work every
weekend you can or only once in a while when the mood hits you.
Game experience--number of games you have worked in the past. Are
you a referee who has worked three seasons but only refereed 20 games
during that time or one who has worked three seasons but have
refereed over 120 games.
Number of times you turn down assignments at the last minute.
Number of times you arrive late to the field.
Professional appearance--if you walk around or worst yet referee
looking sloppy, shirt tail hanging out or sock pushed down. Several
referees have been observed in the past as center referee with not
only their shirt tail out but also their undershirt hanging below that!
Professional presence on the field--do you deliver calls with authority,
talk to coaches and parents with authority but also with respect. Do you
look like you are interested in the game or just there to be there.
All the above information will be reviewed at a board meeting and a
decision concerning the individual's upgrade in game level will be
made by the board.
The most important thing to remember is all ages deserve quality
referees. Worry more about doing a good job not what age division
you are working!
The current game schedules have more games in the U10 and below
levels. This means more referees are needed to work these games.
GAME CARDS
1. Always fill out the card completely.
2. Be sure to make note on the back of the card of any problems
or comments that you have concerning that game. Be specific
with your remarks. For example, state the name or color of
the coach not just the coach; the red coach was rude--explain
exactly what he did or did not do; the visiting parents
yelled--what did they yell--obscenities, threats,
criticisms or just general remarks.
3. Game cards are to be turned in before you leave for the
day in the box in the referee office. The exception to
this is during tournaments, where game card will be turned
in after each game in accordance with procedures established
by the tournament assignor/committee.
MEETINGS
1. Meetings are held regularly during soccer season.
2. Dates for the meetings are on the referee website.
3. One requirement of a referee's license is attendance at
5 hours of in-service training each year. Instead of
requiring attendance at special in-service training
sessions, a portion of each meeting is dedicated to
in-service training which is why attendance at all
meetings is important.
PAY
1. Pay will be distributed at the end of each meeting.
2. Attendance of the complete meeting is required to receive your pay.
3. Questions concerning your pay should be directed to the association's treasurer.
For information please e-mail
bhall652@yahoo.com .