- There will be no high-fiving, hand-shaking or fist-bumping by any players, coaches or referees this season! Please remind coaches of this prior to the game. Currently masks are not required but please pay attention to any emails with instructions about COVID safety.
- SafeSport Initiative related to head injuries – Any player experiencing a significant blow to the head or body who exhibits any concussion symptoms or is suspected to have a head injury should be removed from the game and not allowed to return to the game
- Wear appropriate uniform and bring appropriate supplies. If the weather is cold, wear jacket underneath referee shirt. In-town Referees – Uniform consists of referee shirt (tucked in), black shorts, black socks. Supplies needed include a whistle, a wristwatch with a stopwatch function, a pad of paper, a pen and a coin (WWPPC). Grassroots Referees (BAYS games) – USSF referee uniform consists of a gold or yellow referee shirt (tucked in), solid black shorts, USSF black socks (solid or striped), and predominantly black sneakers or cleats. Supplies needed include an electronic whistle, a wristwatch with a stopwatch function, a pad of paper, a pen, red and yellow cards, a coin and AR flags (WWPPCCF).
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.
- Inspect the field and goals.
- Introduce yourself to the coaches and players and make sure you are at the right game.
- Get 2 copies of both teams’ rosters and keep one for yourself and give one to the opposing team. Check in players using the roster by calling out numbers and having players say their names.
- Inspect teams’ uniforms, especially for unsafe cleats or any jewelry. ALL jewelry must be removed (including earrings), with the exception of medical alert bracelets that must be taped down. Shirts should be tucked in.
- Check for coach credentials always and player credentials when appropriate. Any coach without a coach lanyard for the current year is not allowed to be on the sideline with the team.
- Do a coin toss. Have the visiting team call it. The team that wins the toss can choose to either kick off or which goal they want to attack. At half-time teams switch sides and the other team kicks off.
- Start games on time.
- Be confident, decisive and enjoy the game!
- If a coach is giving you a hard time, remind them of the Zero-Tolerance rule. That will usually do the trick. If a coach continues to give you a hard time, follow the Ask, Tell, Dismiss guideline. Referees have the power to eject a coach from the game if he/she can’t follow the Zero-Tolerance rule. If a fan is giving you a hard time, go to the sideline and let both coaches know. The coach who is on the same team as the fan is responsible for talking to the fan and reminding the fan of the Zero-Tolerance rule. See the Zero-Tolerance Guidelines for how to decide a ZT score.
- Keep track of goals scored and times scored, half-time score, serious injuries, yellow or red cards, and
Zero-Tolerance violations and include these in your game reports.