PROCEDURES, TIPS, AND ADVICE


UNIFORM
  1. Black Shorts
  2. USSF Gold Shirt with black pinstripes, collar, and cuffs. First alternate shirt is black with white pinstripes. Second alternate shirt is red with black pinstripes, third alternate shirt is blue with white pinstripes, fourth alternate shirt is green with black stripe.  Note it is acceptable for the referee team to have old style and new style striped pattern
  3. It is mandatory to wear the SCSOA patch
  4. Black knee high socks with three white stripes
  5. Black shoes
  6. Two whistles, yellow card, red card, stop watch, coin, pencil and scorecard
PUNCTUALITY
  1. Arrive at game site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time, dressed and ready to officiate. This allows time for meeting your partner(s) and discussing the game procedures, inspecting the field, checking-in the players, checking the balls, instructing the ball holders, pre-game instructions, conductiong the pre game conference with captians and head coaches, the coin toss and still starting the game on time.
  2. Officials should always enter and leave the field together as a team.
FIELD INSPECTION
  1. Ensure that the field is safe for playing inspect for dangerous conditions e.g. holes, sprinkler heads any irregularitiew of dangerous conditions must be corrected before the match can start). The game must be included in your game report.
  2. Check the marking of the field and correct as necessary.
  3. Check the goals and the nets making sure that the goals are securely anchored. Rule 1, Section 4, Art. 1 Note states, "If portable goals are used, they shall be securely anchored to the ground."
  4. Check that the corner flags are positioned correctly and meet the required standards, height, diameter of pole etc..
PLAYER INSPECTION
  1. Officials must check-in the players together.
  2. The players must meet the requirements for Rule 4 of the National Federation rule book.
  3. Remind coaches and players of the consequences of players entering the filed of play illegally equipped
PRE-GAME INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Conduct the pre-game instruction as prescribed in Rule 5, Section 2 of the national Federation Rule Book. Include sportsmanship per 5.2.2.d para2
INJURIES
  1. SERIOUS INJURIES - DO NOT TOUCH ANY INJURED PLAYER(S) - GET HELP!
    1. Call the coach. If bench personnel attend the player on the field, the injured player MUST leave the game.
    2. DO NOT condone the removal of player(s) you feel are seriously injured. Wait for paramedics if necessary.
    3. If a player appears to be unconscious, that player cannot return to the game without a written OK signed by a MEDICAL DOCTOR.
    4. If a player is bleeding, he must leave the game and cannot return until bleeding is stopped, wound is covered, and any bloody clothing is changed or cleaned and disinfected.
  2. LESS SERIOUS INJURIES
    1. Give a player a moment to "walk it off" before calling coach.
    2. You may give a goalkeeper a little more time than other players.
    3. Don't call the coach on unless necessary.
  3. AFTER ATTENDING TO THE INJURED
    1. Re-start the game as soon as possible.
    2. IFK for team in possession - drop ball if no one is in possession at the stoppage of the game.
ACCEPTING or TURNING IN GAME ASSIGNMENTS
  1. You have 24 hours after receiving your game assignment schedule to turn the game assignment back to the scheduler. After the 24 hour "grace period" you will be charged a $4.00 per game re-scheduling fee.
  2. Do not change games with other officials. The scheduler must be notified and the game must be re-assigned by the scheduler. It is important so that if the schools have any questions/complaints the scheduler can contact the officials that officiated that match. Also, the scheduler is responsible to CIF for grading the difficulty of each match and assigning appropriate officials for each match.
  3. Penalty for missing an assignment without notifying the assignor in advance is, you will be assessed the fee that you would have received had you done the game.
RAIN-OUT/CANCELLING & CHANGE PROCEDURES
  1. If the weather has been bad within the last 48 hours
    1. Call the home school at 12:00 noon to inquire if the game will be played.
    2. Ask to speak with the AD. If you can't, record the name of the person you gespeak with..
    3. If you are told the game is on, and you arrive and find it has been postponed, you will receive half pay from the school.
    4. If the game has been postponed, the school will call you to reschedule. If you cannot make it, tell them.
    5. Remember, if you are assigned to a game originally given to someone else, the school doesn't know. So call if in doubt.
  2. Cancellations
    1. The home school should contact you concerning canceled games, unless the cause is bad weather.
    2. If you receive a message that a game has been canceled that you had the assignor reassign, CALL THE ASSIGNOR.
    3. If the game is rescheduled, the school should contact you to check your availability.
  3. Other changes in schedule
    1. When schools change the site of a game, change from a single game to multiple games, from boys to girls, or the date or time of a game, they are supposed to contact you.
PAYMENT
  1. Most schools use the voucher system. They will usually have you fill out a voucher and mail you a check at a later date. If the school does not mail you a check in a timely fashion, (usually about 2 weeks) contact the school and let them know you have not received payment. If after attempting to work with the school to get your payment, you still do not receive payment, contact the CIF Liaison. Some schools will issue a check at the game site.
UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
  1. Lightning, pro-active planning
    1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during events.
    2. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
      1. A 30 second or less flash to bang count calls for removal of the athletes from the field to an appropriate shelter.
      2. Thirty minute rule: Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming play.
    3. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby shelters.
    4. Hold periodic reviews for appropriate personnel.
    5. If there is enough time and light, continue game after threat has passed.
    6. If there is not enough time and light, continue game after threat has passed; the league will make ruling on outcome, file a report.
  2. Non-Player Interference.
    1. Stop play, remove disturbance - resume play with IFK where ball was if one team was in possession; if not, Drop Ball.
    2. If you can't resume play. Terminate game, file report and let the league decide.
  3. Fights Among Players
    1. DO NOT try to break up break up fights - just be an observer. Write down numbers of involved players and those who join in from the sidelines.
    2. Once order is restored and involved layers are dealt with, try to resume play.
    3. If you feel that the game should not continue, terminate the game and file your report and let the league decide.
WORKING WITHOUT A PARTNER
  1. SCSOA has adopted a policy that will not permit a single referee to officiate Varsity games. If you can, try to get a partner from a JV or Frosh game. A single referee can do a JV or Frosh game if he/she feels comfortable doing so. (Note: A single referee may be scheduled to do a JV or Frosh game).
  2. If you are doing a game by yourself, you are required to do everything that a referee team would have normally done in a typical pre-game.
  3. Payment: You are entitled to an additional 1/2 game fee. This fee will be paid to you by the association not the school.
  4. When you get home, call the assignor to make a verbal report, but also file a formal report.
GAME REPORTS
  1. Report any incidents or irregularities, such as non player interference, poor field conditions, uniforms, ball holders and player, coach and bench personnel discipline.
  2. If necessary, fill out cautioned and disqualified player report soon after the game..
  3. Any unusual incident or disqualification (RED CARD) must be reported in writing within 24 hours. When referees disqualify anyone from a game, please take some time together before you leave to get all the information down.
  4. If you RED CARD a coach, you must fill out a Game Report and e-mail to scsoareport@yahoo.com