The last weekend could be emotional for players and coaches and some are fighting for a better standing. Make sure you manage the game well. It starts with a good pre game with coaches:
1) Thank the coaches.

2) Confirm the time length of the half 

3) Remind them they have control of the sidelines. Do not talk to the parents

4) Confirm free subs

5) Tell them you may have a different angle and may see the play differently and play on! 

Don’t be a “center circle” ref and make sure if you are the center, run the field. Kids, coaches and parents will appreciate your energy and your close up viewpoint. You want to be neither too close nor too far from the action: 10-12 yards is a good rule of thumb. 

If you are the AR, run along the touchline, between the halfway line and the goal line, keeping level with the 2nd-to-last-defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. Keep up!

NO DOGS! NO DOGS! NO DOGS!  Don’t start a game with dogs on the sideline. 

Have fun, Have fun, Have fun!

All: Surprise! Surprise! We have a hot Saturday in May. 
Make sure you ask the coaches if they need a water break. Keep an eye on players and your ref crew. Read below. 
Keep it simple: See a foul, Call the foul! I never get an email from a parent or coach saying a ref called too many fouls! 

With the heat coming in for the weekend (lucky us), we want to publish the guidelines that we use to determine play status. We are planning to play tomorrow; the heat index at the hottest point of the day will be 91-92.

Recommendations:

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate the day before the game.
• Take extra water breaks within quarters or halves. Coaches and referees should discuss and agree before the game.
• Teams can agree to play shorter games.
• Water should always be available at regular intervals, and athletes can call for water or a sub at any time.
• Bring extra ice and towels for cooling.
• Monitor all players for signs of heat-related illness.
• Once a game starts, it will be at the discretion of the Ref to cancel a match due to safety concerns.

Super Thanks for being a JUSA Ref!

At this point in the season, it is time to Keep it simple and go back to basics. 

1) Introduce yourself to both coaches. Thank them for coaching.

2) Don’t be a center ref. Run with the play. 

3) Stay close to the ball and position yourself to see fouls.

4) Call a handful more fouls in the game vs a handful less.

5) Be a professional and dress the part. Wear the full referee kit head to toe! 

6) Don’t start a game with Dogs near the field. No Dogs! No Dogs! 

Thanks for being a JUSA ref! Without you, the Kids can’t play soccer. 

1) Be early to games. Coaches and Fellow Refs get nervous if you are not there 30 min before game time. I hear about late refs all the time and it jeopardizes their level status. 

2) Be professional, wear the full referee kit. Introduce yourself to coaches. They appreciate it. 

3) Be confident with your whistle, see a foul, call the foul. 

4) April Meeting is April 23. You need to register at this link: https://cysa.affinitysoccer.com/eventmanager/public/event.asp?calid=16516882&eventtype=RPD

5) No games next weekend! Enjoy the Easter break. Schedule for Week of April 26 will open next weekend. 

You make the call! Watch this video. 
https://www.facebook.com/reel/441441791686379
Thanks for being a JUSA referee!

All: looks like to be a beautiful weekend to kick the ball and blow the whistle! 

Just a few reminders since some are refereeing for the first time this spring.

BE EARLY – At least 30 minutes prior to your first game. Coaches, and your crew mates, get worried and start calling me, and I am working games too. Being late to games is a reason to be moved down a level.

Some Rules Changes vs Fall for Rec

• 7v7 games:
  • No intentional headers (IDF)
  • Free Subs at referee discretion
  • U8: no penalty kicks, no slide tackles, 1 “redo” on throw ins
• 9v9 & 11v11Games:
  • Free substitutions with referee permission
  • Headers Allowed?   U12 – NO, U14 – YES

Save yourself some trouble and cover this pregame routine with coaches:

• Good Pre Game is Critical & Required (TSSA)
  • Confirm Time of half and Thank the Coach for coaching
  • Sidelines: “Coach you control the Sideline. Any issue I only talk to you”
  • Substitions: “Anytime at my whistle at midway point, please”
  • Angles: “Remember coach, I have a different Angle and we play on”

Remember No Dogs on School properties. (They are not eating kid’s homework!) Don’t start the game till the dog leaves the school. 

Wear the full Referee Kit. Look good, Look professional and you will be respected more. 

Welcome to the first week of Spring!

BE EARLY – At least 30 minutes prior to your first game. Coaches, and your crew mates, get worried and start calling me and I am working games too. Being late to games is a reason to be moved down a level.

Some Rules Changes vs Fall

• 7v7 games:
  • No intentional headers (IDF)
  • Free Subs at referee discretion
  • U8: no penalty kicks, no slide tackles, 1 “redo” on throw ins
• 9v9 & 11v11Games
  • Free substitutions with referee permission
  • Headers Allowed?   U12 – NO, U14 – YES

• Be Patient and Kind (not everyone knows or understands the rules)
• Good Pre Game is Critical & Required (TSSA)
  • Confirm Time of half and Thank the Coach for coaching
  • Sidelines: “Coach you control the Sideline. Any issue I only talk to you”
  • Substitions: “Anytime at my whistle at at midway point, please”
  • Angles: “I have a different Angle and we play on”
• Coaches can be given cautions for abusive sidelines
  • Coaches and parents can be dismissed from the field
  • Text/Send email to Rnaylor@jusa.org if someone is sent off
• No Dogs! No Dogs!
  • School signs on fields prohibit animals on field
  • At Park fields, Dogs need to be at least 15 yards away from field

• Have Fun! Have Fun! Have Fun!

Thank you for being a JUSA Referee. You are making a big difference in children’s lives. 
This weekend is the last regular season game for many teams. Let’s finish strong with confident calls!
Here are a few kind reminders:1) Check cards against rosters and players. Borrowing players from other teams and divisions is not allowed. All cards and players must be on the same team. 
2) Be early to games. Coaches and fellow Refs get nervous if you are not there 30 min before game time. I hear about late refs all the time. 
3) Be professional, wear the full referee kit. Introduce yourself to coaches. They appreciate it.
4) No Dogs! No Dogs! No Dogs!  Don’t start a game if a dog is on a school field. 

5) No noise makers. Cheering for kids is welcomed but not loud noisemakers that distract from play.

All: It looks to be a beautiful weekend to play soccer. Let’s keep it simple and go back to basics. 

1) Stay close to the ball and position yourself to see fouls.

2) Don’t be a center ref. Run with the play. 

3) Introduce yourself to both coaches

4) Call a handful more fouls in the game vs a handful less.

5) Be a professional and dress the part. Wear the full referee kit head to toe! 

6) Don’t start a game with Dogs near the field. No Dogs! 

All: the season is winding down. Thank you for all your efforts. 
Be aware that some coaches, teams and parents will be excited to win as they maneuver for a better spot in the standings. With that being said: 

Managing adults at a youth game can be difficult. Always be polite.

Here is the recommended procedure for handling irresponsible behavior.
1. Say “Please” 
2.  Say “Please” (videos of a ref saying “please” is easier to defend)
3. Coach, irresponsible behavior is not acceptable. (Warning)
4. Behavior continues, issue a Yellow Card (Caution) to the Coach.
5. Behavior continues, issue a Red Card (Send-off) to the Coach.  

If the spectators are acting irresponsibly, remind the coach that he has control of his sidelines. (remember your pregame)   Do not engage in any discussion with a parent.  If the behavior does not improve, go to the coach and follow the above steps. “please coach, as we discussed before the game, you are responsible for your sideline. It is hard to do my job right now.”If you are having trouble with a coach in the first half send a note at half time to fall@jusa.org and ask someone to come to the game to observe. 
If you send off a coach or parent, send me a note. 

NO DOGS ON ANY FIELD AT ANY TIME: PYLUSD POLICYDo not start a game if a dog is present on the sidelines. Ask the coach to remove the dog. 

Read this about giving warnings.  https://www.referee.com/correcting-bad-behavior-with-well-timed-warnings/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGJOflleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW5X9WumVPp-fgyunQLq_WtALOOqaQjHbLoEkqzZchpvYtHhfN5Xkomx3w_aem_W-6SFApE7yGDq4nOBLz7sQ

A few reminders:

1) It is Placentia Heritage Festival Weekend. JUSA will have a booth at the fair; free giveaways and Spring season registration information. Review street closures if you’re headed to a game in Yorba Linda. 

2) We do not allow teams to borrow players at any time during the season.   It does not matter if the player is registered with JUSA.   It is not allowed. 

3) No Dogs on a school field. It is a School rule not a JUSA rule. 

4) Centers on CSL games have to report the match results using the CSL app.