Links

Referee Standards of Dress

Presentation and Videos on Build Out Line

2019-20 Changes to the Laws of the Game in varying detail

Articles Below

Referee SafeSport Training

Referee Uniform Updates - 2019

2019 Spring Season Rule Changes

SFL Games (For NVSC Recreational U13 - U19)

Change: Goal Differential/Mercy rule - now requires a reduction in players starting at a four (4) goal differential, removing additional players as the goal differential increases and an automatic game termination when the goal differential reaches 8 goals. Once the game reaches an 8 goal differential (8:0, 9:1, 10:2, etc...), the referee should terminate the match.  Include in your report the game time when the match the was terminated 

Example: If you're 5 minutes into the 2nd half of a U14 game, the score is 9-2 and the winning team scores another goal - the goal differential is now 8.  Blow the whistle indicating the end of the match, note the time - inform the coaches that the match is terminated due to this rule. In your report indicate that the game was terminated due to the mercy rule in the 40th minute (35 minute halves, 5 minutes into 2nd half - 40th minute).

The coach or team captain man now implement the mercy rule at any time when the goal differential is 4 or more.  If this happens, include in your report that this was a coach initiated game termination, note the time as well. 

Reminder for CCL Games - all age groups:

Roster and Card verification/checks are not required.  These checks are conducted between team officials prior to the game.  You will still receive the rosters for both teams.  The only thing you need to confirm is if there are any players not on the roster that should have been added. 

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Authorized New Style Pro & Economy Jersey - 2 Stripe Socks

This year the new referee uniform is required.  The biggest change to previous uniforms are shirt and socks.  If you own the old 3 strip socks or old pinstripe and broad stripe shirt, they are no longer part of the official uniform and should not be worn. 

Each season I'm asked "What color shirt do I need?" - for all referees the basic uniform should be a short-sleeve yellow USSF jersey, black referee shorts (these are not player shorts), the two stripe USSF referee socks, black, or mostly black, shoes, and the badge of the current year.  This will cover most games.  As you develop and accept more challenging games (travel and tournaments) you may need other colors.  I've found that in our area, black is a good alternate then red if you need a third.  Yellow, Black, Red, Blue and Green are currently the only authorized colors. 

There are several resources online where you can find referee equipment - I listed a few below.  Ensure you're getting the current authorized version as several sites still have the old styles listed. I've seen the economy jerseys from $21 and the pro jersey from $26. 

officialsports.com

soccerone.com (offers both old and new styles)

refereestore.com 

amazon.com (offers both old and new styles)

scoresports.com 

No Longer Authorized to wear for USSF/VYSA games

Old Style Broadstripe & Pinstripe Jersey - Old 3 stripe sock 

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US Soccer and the State Referee Program has mandated that every referee 18 years of age and older must complete the SafeSport training. You are required to complete this training no later than October 1 of this year.  There is no cost associated with this training.

If you will be turning 18 between October 2nd this year and June 30th of next year, you will have 30 days after you turn 18 to complete the SafeSport training.

SafeSport is the Olympic community’s initiative to recognize, reduce and respond to misconduct in sport. This online course will educate you on the common risk factors in sport and suggest ways to protect all athletes within our program.

This training has 3 units:

UNIT 1: MISCONDUCT AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

UNIT 2: MANDATORY REPORTING

UNIT 3: PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL MISCONDUCT

The training consists of videos, interactive scenarios, slides and unit pre and post-test questions. On average the training takes 2 hours to complete.

Users will need to login with their account information (if you already have a SafeSport account) or register to create an account.  During the account creation, you will need to add U.S. Soccer to your membership if it does not automatically populate the field for you.

The below instructions for how to access the training can also be found at the US Soccer link here:  US Soccer App Box 

Instructions:

• Click this link to get started - SafeSport.org Training.  US Soccer should be prefilled for the organization on the Add Membership page.
• Enter Access Code  YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M3  (you can copy and paste the code).
• Register for your account/profile
• Name – same as referee registration
• Email Address – same as referee registration
• Create a password then confirm password (must me at least 8 characters).
• Address – same as referee registration
• SafeSport will send an email to the account you used to register.  Click the link to activate your account.
• Sign into your account; then click on the training video link.
• The training takes approximately 2 hours to complete; users can complete the course in more than one sitting (if necessary).  Your spot will be saved so you can come back and finish the training.

When you successfully complete training, you will receive a “SafeSport Trained” certificate.  The SafeSport system will also save an electronic version of the certificate.  In some instances if the certificate isn’t properly transferred to US Soccer, you may need to upload a copy of your certificate to US Soccer’s site.

If you do not complete this training by October 1, you will no longer be licensed by US Soccer for the current year.

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