Game Day Preparation

Preparation is the key to success in any endeavor, and it is true with refereeing as well.  The following steps will help prepare the center referee and ARs for a successful match.

Referee Preparation

Good preparation requires promptness and readiness.  Center referees and assistant referees should be on the field and ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled match start time.

At 15 minutes before start time, center referees should lead a pre-match talk with their ARs to reinforce:

• ARs need to stay with the 2nd to last defender when play is in that zone

• ARs need to stand behind the flag on a corner kick

• ARs must raise flag overhead with both hands for substitutions

• Center Referee to check in with ARs often during the match to see substitutions, fouls, etc.

• ARs should feel comfortable calling fouls if they see them

• ARs should set their watches as well

Prior to Kickoff

Once the two teams arrive for the match, the center referees should do the following to get them ready to start:

Discuss match parameters with both coaches, including:

• Who is the home vs the visitor teams (this will be indicated on your match report)

• Length of game (will it be standard, or different based on conditions)

• Number of players (will it be standard, or different based on conditions)

• Whether there will be offside calls

• Reinforce that substitutions should occur at mid-field and substituting players cannot enter the field until the center referee tells them to

• Indicate that the keeper must wear a different color shirt than their teammates

Call for the players to line up for the safety check of equipment:

• Check shin guards are present and appropriate (i.e. under socks)

• Check that cleats are worn and appropriate (no metal or baseball cleats)

• Ensure that no players are wearing hard plastic or metal jewelry (unless medically related)

Call for team captains and do the coin toss:

• Visiting team captains call heads or tails

• Winner chooses either the ball or the side of field on which to start the game

• If the winner chooses the ball, the loser chooses the side of the field to start

Match Time

At match time, the center referee should follow these basic procedures:

• Set your watch for the first half

• Get a ball from the home team

• Make sure the ball is the correct size and sufficiently inflated

• Place the ball in the center of the field

• Make sure the defending team is outside the circle to start

• Ask whether each goal keeper is ready

• Blow the whistle once to begin play, start your watch

• Keep the score on the scorecard

• Blow the whistle twice at half time

• Make sure both teams switch sides of the field when starting the second half

• Blow the whistle once to start the 2nd half and start your watch

• Blow the whistle three times at the end of the second half to end the game

• Write the final score for each team on the scorecard

• Have both coaches review and sign the scorecard