A lot of things to cover:(in no particular order)
1. The main issue this past week, and I have no idea why, was rosters and what to do if they are not the HTG version. I got 4 phone calls last Sunday about what to do and I don't believe I can make it any clearer. It is exactly the same as outdoor recreational level games. If a team does not have the HTG roster, have them write one out listing the following information:
Team name, age group, players names & jersey numbers, coaches / bench personnel (up to 3)
Let the team play, retain the roster submitted and file a supplemental report.
Under "type of incident" select "Improper Roster". A team will lose 1 point in the standings each time they submit a roster that is not the official HTG roster.
If a picture or scan of the roster can be made and sent to lifutsal@gmail.com, that would be great. If worse comes to worse, leave that roster
with the score sheet for the league official to collect at the end of the day.
(electronic versions of rosters are not acceptable ever.)
If you believe a roster to be suspicious, note it on the score sheet, photo the roster and forward and write a supplemental report. Above all else, let the teams play. The league will deal with any issues regarding the roster.
If the above seems familiar, it's because it is in the league rules, posted on the assigning sites front page and was discussed at the meeting back in December. Simply put, if this is still a problem I need to deal with after this week those responsible will be removed from the referee pool.
2. If you are interested in working special Futsal tournaments, click here to find out more.
3. Most of the reports we have been getting back from coaches have been very positive. There were 2 that were critical of the referee working the match. One of the critical reports had an issue with the referee not being able to move and was in the way of play and another suggested a misapplication of the rules involving the goalkeeper. I was also sent a video where a referee let a goalkeeper kick the ball after it had crossed over the goal line.
4. "What the Goalkeeper Can Do with His/Her Feet"
On making a save during the course of play - may place the ball down and dribble like any other player. He/she has only 4 seconds to posses the ball in their own half and may not pick it up again after they have placed it on the ground.
On the taking of a Goal Clearance - once the ball has gone over the goal line last touched by the attacking team the goalkeeper MUST put the ball back into play using his/her hands. He/she may not use his/her feet. Simple Law 15.
5. Distance on restarts - this is another thing that if not enforced properly will see the referee pool with fewer people in it. The distance on restarts, especially kick-ins and free kicks is a lot of space, even in the small gyms. Take the time to enforce the correct distance early in the game and set the precedence. 3 yards is more than the length of a king size mattress and is the minimum distance in the smaller gyms. 5 yards is basically the length of an economy car front bumper to bumper and is the minimum distance in the larger gyms.
6. Just like outdoors, if something happens that is outside the normal playing of the game a supplemental report must be filed. We do keep track of all cards given, all non HTG rosters, injuries and any other reasons a report would need to be filed. Please fill out a report online for any of the aforementioned incidents. The link to the form is on the assigning site.
7. There was a safety issue last week that needs to be resolved. No person, and I don't care who he/she may be, may sit on risers that have not been pulled out. Any league official that addresses a safety concern to a referee that is not dealt wit immediately will find their assignments pulled. We are responsible for the venues and safety of the people in it. The game comes second.
8. I read the comments about marking the fields with tape. I would like to make Futsal style markings but some places will not permit us to do so while others will. I will ask John Branca if he can ask if we may be able to put down lines, even if just for the day, in venues to make each venue more like a real futsal field.
9. Only 1 mistaken score this week. Well done. Let's aim for none this upcoming week.