VHSL Suspended Game Procedures

VHSL Post Season Overtime

PSOA HS Information Sheet - aka "The Jeff Lord Handout"

NFHS Soccer Rule Changes - Interpretations - Points of Emphasis 2023-2024

VHSL HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

Info for 2025

 PSOA Members Interested in Refereeing High School Games for Spring 2024:

Here is the information needed to certify as a VHSL high school soccer official for this spring. The deadline for completing the items below is March 11, 2024. An additional $50 fee will be required if you do not complete all certification requirements by this date.

There are 3 things required to get certified:

1.      Register at https://whistle.vhsl.org. Make sure to choose PSOA as your association. The registration fee is $45 for your first sport (and $30 for each additional sport).

a.      The registration fees cover administrative costs, rule books, insurance, NFOA membership for each official and other officiating program costs. If an official has registered and decides not to officiate for any reason, including but not limited to, medical, location changes, job interference, and requests a registration refund, the refund will be assessed a $12 processing fee.  Officials cannot obtain a refund after they have viewed the clinic and/or taken the rules test.

b.      An individual must be 18 years of age or a high school graduate to register to officiate contests in the interscholastic program.

c.       A rising high school junior or senior who is at least 16 years of age may register with an association but may only officiate contests below the high school level.

d.      An official shall not officiate until all registration procedures and annual requirements have been completed. An official who works a VHSL varsity or junior varsity contest without having completed all required procedures may be suspended for the remainder of that officiating season.

2.      Watch the online soccer rules clinic on the Whistle site. The VHSL’s target date for the release of the clinic is February 1, 2024.

3.      Take the online soccer rules test on the Whistle site. The VHSL’s target date for the release of the test is January 8, 2024.

a.      The 2023-24 soccer rule books will be available for you to pick up at upcoming PSOA membership meetings. Our next membership meeting is Wednesday, January 17 at 6:30 pm at 1700 Brewing in Newport News.

b.      The test is open book! You have 2 attempts to meet the required score. There is no time limit on the test and you are allowed to pause and resume.

c.       Eligibility levels:

1.      Level 3 – Score 85% or above on the test and complete all other requirements – may officiate regular season varsity and sub-varsity contests and, if selected, District, Region and State Tournament contests.

2.      Level 2 – Score 75%-84% on the test and complete all other requirements – may officiate regular season varsity and sub-varsity contests, but not eligible for postseason play.

3.      Level 1 – Score 70%-74% on the test and complete all other requirements – may officiate sub-varsity contests only.

4.      Unapproved – Has not met one or more registration requirements – may not work any VHSL interscholastic contests.

Insurance:

Officials are insured through the National Federation of State High School Associations. The benefits summary and certificate of insurance can be found on the NFHS website (https://www.nfhs.org/who-we-are/membership/insurance-summary/officials-coverages). It can also be found on the VHSL website (https://www.vhsl.org/officials/information/) under “Forms/Info”. This insurance does not cover illness.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for all that you do to support high school soccer!

Don Samuels

Peninsula Soccer Officials Association

High School Commissioner

psoa.hs.commissioner@gmail.com

(757) 532-1887