For the Referee especially, try to anticipate what might happen next.  Where is the attack going?   If possession has changed, how will the players who lost the ball try to get it back?   This will help with positioning and observation.

After the match is over, take some time over the next day or so to reflect on how it went.  Think about what you saw, what decisions you made, and whether they were correct.    Look at the LOTG if you are not sure or want clarification.  AND . . . 

... PLEASE come to us or any of our other mentors if you have any questions at all about the LOTG or about what happened in your match. 

Our fields in Lexington are scheduled very tightly.   With only 90 minutes between kickoffs, even for games that have 30 minutes halves, it doesn't leave very much time on each field between games.  How can you help?

• Arrive at your field early.  I suggest at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled kickoff.

• If your teams are not already on the field, look for them warming up nearby

• Check in the players before the field is ready 

• Do the coin toss before the field is ready

• If you are working a game with Assistant Referees, have your pregame discussion 

• Blow the whistle for the opening kickoff as close to the scheduled start time as possible

• If all of the players are ready and you have done all of the pregame requirements (please remember to check the field and the position of the goals - and for the goals with wheels, make sure that the wheels are retracted so the post is on the ground) you can start early

•   No heading

• Penalty spot is 10 yards from goal line

deserve it's own Substitution page
Click the picture above ...

Always know the substitution rules for BAYS (or whichever competition you are officiating).   In BAYS, substitutions are NOT allowed on corner kicks, and are allowed on throw-ins only if the team in possession substitutes (and then the other team can also sub at the same time).   These rules are common to other competitions, but don't take them for granted.   Also, it is good practice to check the halfway line for ready substitutes at appropriate stoppages in play.

Referees and especially Assistant Referees should be familiar with the basic requirements of offside (Law 11) before each match.  

The most basic element, and the only one covered here, is that in order for there to be an offside violation, an attacking player must be closer to the opponent’s goal than either the second to last defender or the ball (whichever is closest to the goal line) AT THE TIME THE BALL IS LAST PLAYED OR TOUCHED BY A TEAMMATE.   If a player is in an offside position and comes back onside to receive a pass from a teammate, that is an offside violation.  If a player is NOT in an offside position, she can run on to a through ball and receive the pass closer to the goal than the second to last defender, and there is no violation.   This is why it is so important for the AR to dynamically adjust position in order to be even with the offside line – the second to last defender or the ball, whichever is closest to the goal line. 

Dropped Balls:   Please be aware that dropped balls are not contested.  This law changed several years ago.  Also note the requirement for a dropped ball restart in the situations described in the third bullet if the ball touches the referee.

LAWS 8 & 9 – Dropped Ball 

Dropped ball situations will no longer be contested. Only one player shall be present at a dropped ball. All other players shall be a minimum of 5 yards away from the dropped ball area. 

• If play is stopped in the penalty area, the ball will be dropped to the goalkeeper regardless of who touched the ball last. 

• If play is stopped outside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the point of the last touch. 

• The ball is out of play and a dropped ball is awarded if the ball touches the referee (or another match official) and goes directly into the goal, team possession changes, or a promising attack starts.  

• THERE ARE MORE DETAILS ON DROPPED BALLS IN LAWS 8 AND 9

Goal Kick:   Goal kicks are in play when the ball is kicked and moves.  There is no requirement that the ball leave the penalty area.  The team that does not have the ball, so long as they are outside the penalty area (or in their half of the field at Grade 3 and 4) when the kick is taken, may aggressively try to intercept the ball once it has been kicked and moves and is therefore in play.

LAW 16 – Goal Kick 

The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. The ball is not required to leave the penalty area. Any player may play the ball once it is in play. 

BAYS Clarification still in effect : For 3 rd and 4 th grade, defenders must retreat to the half-line, but opposing team may kick before all defenders have retreated.