All: it is going to be hot and windy Saturday and Sunday. 1) Have water breaks. Hydrate! Hydrate! 2) Check Goals for stakes. If no stakes, put something on the back frame like a coach’s bag or backpack to hold the goal down.
This weekend focus on using language that Calms, not language that Escalates.
Halfway thru the season, keep checking the player cards against the roster please. Even though it is Rec, all players need to have a player card. You don’t have enough insurance to cover an injury of a player who is not registered.
Speaking of injuries, if a player goes down injured, stop play as soon as possible!
From SoCal’s Ref Report and David Gerson:
“For any suspected head injury, stop play immediately regardless of where the ball is. Even in the Penalty Area! On other suspected injuries, when the ball goes negative towards mid-field, play moves towards the downed player or there is a loss of possession for the attacking team, stop play.
Additionally, don’t minimize someone’s injury. If you see someone struggling to breathe or holding their chest, take immediate action and get the coach or trainer on the pitch ASAP! Asthma attacks can be life threatening.
When a player goes down, the players, coaches, and parents watching aren’t just waiting to see what call you make — they’re watching how you react as a human being. Stopping play quickly and checking on someone isn’t an unnecessary delay to the game; it’s the moment that shows everyone on that field who you really are. A referee who shows genuine concern for a child’s well being in that instant earns something no rulebook can give you: trust.
Error on the side of caution every time. An injury that looks minor can be serious, and the cost of stopping play unnecessarily is nothing compared to the cost of not stopping when it mattered. But beyond the safety call itself, let people see your humanity — jog over and check on the player, ask if they’re okay, make eye contact with the coach to let them know if they are okay to continue or need attention. Those small moments of genuine care are what separate a referee who’s just enforcing rules from one the community respects.”
At every game, Rec and CSL, it is required to check player cards against the game card.
Remember this: Call Fouls! You are a ref, that is what you do!
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. I never get complaints about a ref calling too many fouls.
5) Be Professional, wear the full referee Kit.
September Fall 2026 Meeting
Yorba Linda Community Center
6:30 PM
Update on JUSA Fall league & Updated Laws of Game
Guest Speaker!
All: Super thanks for being JUSA Refs! JUSA appreciates all that you do and kids can play soccer because of you. Keep them safe this weekend. Blow the whistle more than you did last weekend.
Happy Mother’s Day! Spend this week’s ref money on your Mom!
And No Dogs! No Dogs! at school fields. It’s a School rule, not a JUSA rule.
Next Ref Meeting is Wed, May 13th 6:30PM. It’s Landon Donovan Bobble Head Night!
Let’s make this a “please” and ” thank you” weekend!
If a coach is dissenting loudly, use the word “please” a lot. For example, “Please coach, control your sideline.””Please coach, stay in your technical area.””Please coach, stop yelling. I can hear you.””Please talk to the player before I caution him”
If I receive a video and the ref is politely asking the coach to calm down, it is easier to point out the aggressor.,
On the other hand, it is important to thank the coach for their work. “Coach, JUSA says thank you for coaching. We know you put in a lot of volunteer hours.””Just want to say Thanks Coach. I bet the parents and kids haven’t told you thank you in a while.””Thanks Coach. the kids appreciate you and how you help them.””Thanks Coach, you are making a difference in the kids lives”
Have the confidence to make a “Big Call” at the end of a game. It is ok! Realize it is part of the game to make a call whether good or bad for a team.
All: It is Week 7 of 10. Just a few more weekends but don’t get complacent. Review the attached Quick Reference Guides
Also here is some reminders from this week’s SoCals Ref RPT. Worthwhile reading:
| When play enters the attacking 3rd, your work rate, movement and positioning is critical. At our clinic this past weekend, we explored worked on key fundamentals for both referees and AR’s in this key area of the pitch. Check out this short video for some highlights to get a feel for the session. Closing the Gap: When the ball enters the the attacking 3rd, you should be accelerating. Proximity creates “sell-ability” on tough calls in and around the penalty area. In or Out: Be deep enough and find the right angle to see if the foul occurs on or inside the Penalty Area, but wide enough to stay out of the passing lanes. Clear mechanics: If you’re calling a Penalty, this is key match decision and you need to sell it! Powerful whistle, movement into the Penalty Area and towards the penalty spot with proper arm mechanics. Teamwork: The AR may have critical information for you. Was the foul inside or outside of the Penalty Area? They have the best view across the horizontal line. Make sure to make eye contact to see if they had an Offside offense in the build-up or any other information to share before you blow the whistle. |
| CLICK TO WATCH FOULS IN THE ATTACKING 3rd HIGHLIGHTS! |
Few reminders for Week 6. Print out the quick reference guide attachments.
1) Introduce yourself to both coaches. Thank them for coaching.
2) Don’t be a center circle 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) 7v7 U7-U8 games: goal kick may be taken from anywhere within the goal area. Do not create an imaginary 6 yard box. They can kick from the top of the painted box.
7) Don’t start a game with Dogs near the field. No Dogs! No Dogs!
Welcome back to the Spring Season.
Take a look at this video to get you back in the groove.
https://gotsport.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae17922766d8768e99d17c66&id=5cbe706874&e=048aee2035
In case of Rain and wet field, Referee has the final decision if the field is playable.
JUSA can play games as long as field conditions allow it. JUSA will cancel games only when the school district or city closes their fields.
A referee has the authority to call a game at half or at any point where a field becomes unplayable due to weather.
Sunday is still looking wet. If the city or district closes the fields, we will try to reschedule those games as long as both opponents can make a game reschedule happen. JUSA will send out an email if the games are cancelled. Just a few notes:
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. I never get complaints about a ref calling too many fouls.
5) Be Professional, wear the full referee Kit.
Above all, have some fun!