Disputed Calls: The coaches have been requested to not dispute any call made by referees during the game. At the end of the game (not during substitution breaks or halftime), the coach may approach a referee to discuss any call on which (s)he has a question. Referees do make mistakes, hopefully fewer and fewer as we become more experienced, and such discussions at the end of the game, if cordial enough, can serve as useful learning opportunities for both the referees and coaches. But during the game, the referee needs to assert the rules as best as (s)he can, and not become vulnerable to calls from the touch lines.
 

Reporting for Game: Be at your game assignment at least 15 minutes before game time to check the teams in. Inspect the goals for proper placement, holes in netting, and the field for any hazards and mark any with cones (provided by coaches).
 

Player Inspection: Ask coaches for the completed game card when you check players in. Kids can’t play with hard casts, slings, earrings, bracelets, any hard object in her hair, or with any blood on them or their uniform. Earrings cannot simply be taped. They must be completely removed. All parents were made aware of this in the registration materials. Every player must have a team uniform. Socks must completely cover the shin guards. Jerseys must be tucked in, no exceptions for fashion or other reasons. No softball cleats. Encourage double-knotted shoelaces. (Coaches have hydrogen peroxide in their bags to neutralize any blood that may be found on a uniform during the game. The game cannot resume with untreated blood. The wound needs to be covered with a bandage.) 
 

Ref Flags: Should be left on the ground near the centerline flag after each game. If you are the first game of the day, they should be with the rest of the field equipment. Give one to each of the assistant referees when you give them your game instructions (more below).
 

Keep Games on Time. This may mean checking teams in on the touch line while the previous game is finishing so you can start on time. This is particularly important once we lose Daylight Savings Time.
 

Start of Game: Visitor captain(s) call the coin toss at center. Winner of coin toss selects which goal to attack in the first half. Loser of toss kicks off. Winner of toss kicks off in the 2nd half, after switching sides of the field. The home team is to provide the game ball.
 

Substitution Break: Is brief: 30-60 seconds (a little longer if it is hot). You should stop the clock for these breaks, unless the game is extremely behind schedule. Try not to call a break during play; wait until a natural stop in play. Players staying in the game must remain on the field. Parents/spectators may hand water to the players.
 

Substitutions: Record substitutions on the game cards. Substitutions are allowed only at the substitution break. Exceptions are: 1) Injury: The injured player can be substituted. The injured player has to wait until the next substitution break or halftime before she can play again.
 

Teams and Spectators on Opposite Sides of Field: As assigned on the season schedule that coaches were provided. For example, Team A and its spectators on South side, Team B and its spectators on the North side. No coach or spectator should be coaching or cheering from behind the goal line. Request the person to move, and do not start the game until (s)he has moved.
 

Areas for Coaching: No coaching from goal lines, behind the goal or beyond the center circle, by anyone, coach or parent. Coaches must stay in their boxes (within 10 yards of the halfway line). Assistant coaches should stay on their own side. If an assistant coach is on the wrong side, request the person to move to the right side, and do not start the game until (s)he has moved.
 

Player On the Ground: If a player falls down, within 5 to 10 seconds it should be possible to determine whether she has “merely” tripped and will be back on her feet or if she is injured. As soon as it appears that a player is injured, blow the whistle. (My preference is to have all players on the field drop to one knee. This tends to speed up the process of attending to the injury without undue attention by teammates.) -If a player appears to be injured, coaches should be the only ones attending the player, not the referees, and not the parents. The injury to the player is the responsibility of the coach. They hold the medical release forms, etc. We are not supposed to assist the player, but call the coaches onto the field. The coaches should not come on to the field unless asked to by the referee. The restart of the game is a drop ball done at the point where the ball was when the whistle was blown, not where the injured player was.
 

Dismissals of Players, Coaches and Parents (Red Card Situations): These are exceedingly rare, but they can happen. You need to address argumentative, belligerent, or inappropriate coach or parent behavior that goes out of the bounds of the AYSO tenets. Remind coaches that they are responsible for their sideline, and if the inappropriate behavior continues, that person, be it coach or parent, will be dismissed. You should not show the red card to a coach or spectator. Before dismissing a spectator, coach or player, inform the person what has happened, and why he or she must leave. The game cannot resume until they have left the premises, out of sight of the field.
 

Remember – this is for the kids, for them to have fun, be part of a team, and to feel good about themselves. Help provide a safe, encouraging, positive environment for the kids and their families at the field.