United Quest Referee Guide

Center Referee Instructions

    A) Before leaving home, check that you have: watch, two pencils, red and yellow Cards, United Quest Referee Guide, two whistles, uniform, coins, certified patch, water and snack, patience and good humor.
    B) Arrive at the field 1/2 hour before scheduled game time. Introduce yourself to the other officials and get names on Referee Game Card. Inspect field, goals, and nets for safety issues. Get game ball from home team. Assign one Assistant Referee to be backup scorekeeper and one to be backup timekeeper. Introduce yourself to the coaches.
    C) 15 minutes before scheduled game time:
    Equipment and (division appropriate) roster check. Be friendly. Check cleats, shin guards (required), uniforms (all the same including socks), no jewelry (nothing on wrists including bracelets and watches), no sharp objects, billed hats or bandanas. Knee pads are legal as are sweatsuits worn under shorts and jerseys in cold weather. Check that each team has a goalkeeper shirt that is a different color from both teams' jerseys.
    D) 5 minutes before game:
    Call for captains to come to center of field. Coin toss by the Referee or the home team captain. Visiting captain calls. Winner has choice of which goal to attack, loser performs kick-off. Write color and direction on game card (helps to remember how to line up for second half).
    E) Game time:
    Call players to field. For younger players, check that the coaches are ready. Check that goalkeepers and Assistant Referees are ready. Be sure everyone is positioned correctly. Start game.
    F) After game:
    Complete referee game score card and return to the United Quest Clubhouse. Make sure all Asst. Referees are listed. Be friendly, watch friendship lines, and congratulate coaches and players on well-played game. Leave the sports complex. Do not discuss issues or game calls, except in a friendly manner. Remember that your authority extends to the time you leave the parking lot.

Assistant Referee Instructions

    A) Review Referee mechanics. Support the Referee at all times. Control your sideline behavior by stopping problems before they start. If you are having a problem with dissent and can not control it, stop and raise your flag. The Referee will see you and come over to discuss the situation and take appropriate action. DO NOT REFEREE GAMES unless you are certified. Referees must be certified. If there is no Referee present, the game must be terminated. Notify the United Quest office when a game is terminated for any reason. Review flag signals. Meet with the other officials before game, at half time, and at the end of the game to offer feedback and discuss questions. Decide with the other officials who will be on which touch line. Remember your proper position along the touch line. The Assistant Referee is always across from the next to last defender or the ball whichever is closest to the goal line on their half of the field. Proper position makes the job of an Assistant Referee much easier. Ask the Referee any questions you might have. Observe the coin toss and friendship lines with the Referee.

    B) Assistant Referee Flag Positions:

      1) Goal Kick - Point to Goal Area
      2) Substitution - Indicate substitution by holding flag with both hands.
      3) Throw-in - Linesman indicates direction of throw-in with flag at approx. a 45 degree angle in the direction of throw.
      4) Offside - Flag overhead to indicate ball over touch or goal line and all violations including offside
      5) Offside Free Kick - Linesmen indicate off-side location: far side, center, or near side of field.

Referee Procedures for Dissent

    A) United Quest has a zero tolerance policy regarding coach, spectator, and player dissent. If you are uncomfortable with something being said or done, it's dissent. For other than players, (coaches, spectators) use the following steps:

      1) First Problem: Blow whistle to stop play. Stop time. Tell the person responsible that the dissent is a problem. Caution person with a Yellow Card. Note name, team, time, brief details on the game card. Restart the game with an indirect kick to the other team from the spot where the player was when he/she showed dissent.. Start time.
      2) Second Problem: Disqualify person. Show Yellow Card then Red Card. Do not restart game until person has left area. Allow two minutes to be one hundred yards away. If a Coach is disqualified, a person over 21 must be designated acting Coach for the game to continue. Restart game. If person does not leave the area, terminate the game. Note time and details on the score card. Remember a Referee does not decide the outcome of a game.

Referee's Standard Instructions To Assistant Referees

    A) Officials work together as a team.
    B) Assistant Referee's duties are to assist Referee by:

      1) Indicating Out-of-Bounds and Re-Start Possession
      2) Indicating Off-side Infractions
      3) Indicating Fouls or Misconduct the Referee:

        a) Could not see due to position (far side/screened)
        b) Did not see due to attention focused elsewhere

    C) Record Game Information as instructed by Referee
    D) One writes, then other (One watches at all times)
    E) Back up Referee on timekeeping
    F) Out-of-Bounds - Restarts - Position - Duties

      1) As needed, point flag directly: at near side of goal area, at near corner, to direction of throw at 45 degree, straight up if unsure, direct eye contact with Referee - Referee decides.
      2) Keep flag to field side - always in Referee's sight.
      3) Kick-Off: start in line w/18-yd line - move to 2nd to last defender.
      4) Throw-in: if near, show location. Watch for foot faults.
      5) Corner-Kick: Point down at 45 degree to corner flag. Position yourself even with goal line. Verify ball placement. Watch for encroachment, ball out of play, judge goal.
      6) Goal Kick: Move to 6-yd line; verify ball placement. Move to 18-yd line; watch for ball out of Penalty Area. Move to 2nd to last defender.
      7) FK-Midfield: Verify ball placement, then move to 2nd to last defender.
      8) FK-Near Goal: Move to 2nd last defender. Be prepared to judge goal.
      9) Shots: move with ball to goal line.
      10) Ball Out/In: flag points direction for throw-in.
      11) Penalty-Kick: on goal line. Judge goal.
      12) Goal OK: sprint toward half-way line.
      13) Problem: flag straight up - wait for Ref to consult with you.
      14) Substitute: squared flag overhead. Reflect signal from opposite side if necessary.

    G) Off-side Infractions:

      1) Flag straight up - hold until whistles or waves off.
      2) At whistle - point to field location of off-side infraction NOTE: Make decision as to off-side position at instant of pass by offending player's colleague - OK for slight delay of flag to determine if player is really involved in play or if advantage has really been gained (infraction).
      3) Referee is most likely to wave off flags when ball:

        a) Goes directly to defending goalkeeper's possession
        b) Goes to defender who controls and counter-attacks

    H) Fouls - Free-kick Awards - Indicated by Assist. Referee

      1) Determine if Referee needs assistance
      2) Flag straight up and "flick/wave" - wrist action
      3) If waved off - put flag down - smile - stay calm
      4) At whistle - point direction w/flag and indicate direct/indirect

    I) Fouls Near Goal - Ref call or A. R. Opinion

      1) 100% sure of direct/indirect
      2) If outside penalty area, or indirect kick within penalty area -Eye contact - stay in line with spot of foul
      3) If inside penalty area and definitely penalty kick - eye contact - walk to corner - if Referee awards penalty - go to proper position - if no penalty awarded - stay calm
      4) Ref 's call - needs info on in or out of area - silent signal

    J) Fouls Behind Ref's Back - Dissent With Assistant Ref

      1) Talk to players near you as required (low key)
      2) Assist Referee in controlling improper behavior/dissent
      3) If severe foul play of player unresponsive - reflected flag to get Referee involved (admonition/caution/ejection)
      4) General: At end of each half, meet with Referee (nearest gathers ball)

    K) DO NOT TOLERATE:

      1) Delay of game
      2) Encroachment
      3) Dissent
      4) Interference with Goalkeeper
      5) Discussion of judgment calls

Laws of the Game

    A) Every official is required to have a current copy of the FIFA Laws of the Game and a current copy of GYSA Rules and Regulations.

United Quest Modifications to U10 Recreational Soccer

    A) These modifications take precedence over the FIFA and GYSA Rules.
    B) Game time is two 25 minute halves
    C) It is 8 v 8 soccer (7 field players and a Goalkeeper).
    D) It is an instructional league - help the players with the rules - Throw ins, etc.
    E) There are free substitutions at this level
    F) Goalkeepers must play an equal amount of time on the field as in goal.
    G) When goalkeepers have possession of the ball no one may enter the Goal Box.

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