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Referee Web Sites

Referee Documents, Forms and Articles

NASOA Forms and Forms specifically used by the North Alabama Soccer Officials Association (NASOA)

• The Use of Cards in Match Management (Timing of Justice) by Doug Smith NEW January 2005
• NASOA Assigning Protocol August 2004
• Region III Risk Management Report on Portable Goals - As State Associations prepare for the upcoming season, be aware of the ongoing challenge we continue to confront relating to the use and safety of portable soccer goals.
• For the Good of the Game - great book by Robert Evans and Edward Bellion. Should be required reading for all referees! For a sample check out the Massachusetts State Referee Website.
• Where Does Fitness .... Fit in? By Ed Rae, SDI Massachusetts
• AHSAA Game Report (NASOA 2004 Version) Word - This will be required from the CR for every game and is a prerequisite for the crew getting paid.  There are fields for information to be filled in and pull down menus as well.
• AHSAA Ejection Report (NASOA 2004 Version) Word
• AHSAA Overtime Procedures - 2004 NEW
• AHSAA Officials Guidebook 2003
• AHSAA Spring Sports 2004 - Soccer Section Only
• USSF Game Report 9/23/2003 from Mike Costello, NASOA
• USSF 2004 Resolution - Instructions for Referees and
  Resolutions Affecting Team Coaches and Players Regional and National Cup Competitions and Tournaments 4/20/2004
• 2004 version of the “7 + 7 Cautionable and Sending-Off Offenses” position paper
• Match Logs for Upgrades - from Barry Pharris, NASOA
  These are examples of the type of match logs that referees will be required to produce for future upgrades. You can pick their own format as long as it contains the information shown.
  • Match log 7-6.doc
  • Match log 8-7.doc
• NASOA 2003 High School Ejection Report
• NASOA 2003 High School Incident Report
• Directions to High School and Middle School Fields
• Adult Availability (.xls) Spreadsheet - Form (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet) to be filled out to indicate your availability for refereeing Huntsville Adult League Soccer games.
• Education Slide for NASOA Weekly Meeting - Shows High School Time-Out Information, HS Yellow & Red Cards, Indirect Kicks, and Varsity Overtime Process for Alabama HS games
• NASOA Game Log
• AHSAA Field Checklist from Mike Costello - a MS Excel worksheet for High School Referees 
• Fourth Official Game Log
• US Soccer Fair Play Newsletters for Referees
  • Winter-Spring 2004 Fair Play Newsletter
  • Spring-Summer 2003 Fair Play Newsletter
  • Winter-Spring 2002 Issue of Fair Play
  • Spring/Summer 2001 Issue of Fair Play

Other Referee Forms

• Assessors Feedback to Game Official
• Using Classroom Management System to Referee Games (Game Management)
• Referee Report (Acrobat Version)  or  (MS Word version)
• Report of Assessment of Game Officials
• Fouls Handout
• Rescinding A Card
• 2003 National High School Sports Record Book
• A Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes and Their Parents - Updated
• Few Changes Made in High School Soccer Rules
• 2003-04 Rules Revisions
• Rules Interpretations
• Points of Emphasis
• Comments on the Rules
• Publications/Materials
• Officiating Small Sided Games (Referees)
• Authenticating Mark Information
• NFHS Official Soccer Signals
• Soccer Field Diagram Instructions for Scorer, Timer, Assistant Referees, Ball Holders
• Michael Cotleur's Guide to the differences between USSF Laws and NF Rules - This is extensive and well written.  Every ref who does both type games should carry a copy of this document in his bag. NEW
• 2004 Referee Registration Information & Forms
  • 2004 Registration Form - New
  • 2004 Registration Instructions and Fee Schedule 
  • 2004 Transmittal - Referees-Assignors
  • 2004 Transmittal - Assessors-Instructors
  • State Registration Report
• Fourth Official Game Log
• Assessors Feedback to Game Official
• Referee Report (.pdf | .doc)
• Report of Assessment of Game Officials
• The Spring-Summer 2003 issue of the Fair Play referee newsletter is now available for downloading Fair Play (Winter-Spring 2003)
• Severe Weather
• Non Compulsory Equipment
• Managing Match Time
• Law 4 - Jewelry
• Mass Confrontations
• Player Equipment
• Misconduct and Player Language
• Fourth Official Game Log
• Assessors Feedback to Game Official
• Referee Report (Acrobat Version)  or  (MS Word version)
• Report of Assessment of Game Officials
• Observations on Refereeing in Major League Soccer ... by Robert Evans, FIFA Referee, 1979-87, FIFA Referee Instructor, 1990-92
• "High Kick, Ref!" But is it dangerous play? - Following are two play situations, along with graphics, that are frequently disputed by coaches in terms of how they are interpreted by referees. They appeared in Referee magazine under the headings “Gray Decisions on Dangerous Play” (August 1999) and “Kicking or Tackling?” (July 1999) and were reprinted with permission in the March/April 2000 issue of Soccer Journal.
• New USSF rules for 2002
• State League Rules - Final Version
• Game Instructions for State Games for Fall 2002
• Selected Excerpts from THE RULES & REGULATIONS OF THE ALABAMA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
• Handling Blood borne Pathogens
• A .pdf document (in Spanish) which describes the differences between National Federation (High School) and FIFA.
   

Referee Registration

• 2003 USSF Registration Form
• AYSO - USSF Cross Registration Form
   

Referee Memorandums & Instruction

• USSF Referee Administrative Handbook
• NFHS (High School) Official Soccer Signals
• NFHS (High School) Soccer Field Diagram, Instructions for Scorer, Timer, Assistant Referees, Ball Holders
• The Eight Mandatory Cautions
• Management of Cards versus Quick Restarts (.pdf) NEW 8/2003
• Misconduct and Display of Cards (.pdf)
• Referee Pre-game Cheat Sheet (.doc)
• Pre-Game Preparation by Tony Staley, USSF National Assessor
• Affecting Play by Jim Allen
• Use of Electronic Signal Flags (.pdf)
• Guide To Procedures For Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials" (alternate)
• Consistency…..Possible? - Thoughts for the thinking referee - Ed Rae, SDI
• Bad Game Elixir… - We've all had them. Here are some things we can do about them. - Ed Rae, SDI
• Safety First - Points of emphasis for those officiating youth matches - Ed Rae, SDI
• Mad Dog Breakout - Ever had one of those days? Wisdom and guidance from Ed Rae MA SDI
• Non Compulsory Equipment By Ed Rae MA SDI
• Your Education...Whose Responsibility? - By Ed Rae MA SDI
• Is "Why" Your Style? Self assessment for referees by Ed Rae, SDI
• Where Does Fitnmesss ... Fit In? - Some guidance on staying on top of your game, by Ed Rae, SDI
• The difficulties in judging offside - empirical data is in - from the Football Association, London England - edited by Ed Rae, SDI - 09/27/02
• The 4 D's: New advice from Alfred Kleinaitis on dealing with an obvious goalscoring opportunity denied
• Dangers of Summer Heat U.S. Soccer Federation Issues Guidelines to Prevent Dangerous Heat Illness in Young Players
• Lightning Is A Killer All should be aware of dangers lightning when on the soccer field - By Ed Rae, SDI
• "I've Got It!!!"Applying common sense to the game - By Ed Rae
• Hey Ref, Handball!!! Guidance and wisdom on recognizing the offense of deliberate handling - Ed Rae
• A matter of time by Michel Vautrot
• The Pre-Game - An overview of the key points to cover in your pre-game - Sherman Whipple
• Whose Game is it Anyway ? - By Bob Evans, former USSF National Director of Instruction
• The Wall - Ed Rae
• Oh,no-oo!!! .. Not a Penalty Kick!! - Ed Rae
• Quick Whistle or Slow Whistle? - Al Baer (Edited by MA SDI)
• Feinting Allowed at a PK - Ed Rae
• Changes in Official Duties Are Here ! - Ed Rae
• Wisdom for Referees - Ed Rae
• Player Safety - Ed Rae
• The Goalkeeper & The Law - Ed Rae
• Laws of the Game - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - (from Soccer-Coach-L)
• Full Edition FIFA Laws of the Game
• The Ten Commandments of Refereeing by Lars-Ake
• Pro Ref (United Kingdom)
• FIFA Laws of the Game (Under-11 and Older)
• US Youth Soccer Official Modified Under 12 Playing Rules

• US Youth Soccer Official Under 10 Playing Rules

• US Youth Soccer Official Under 8 Playing Rules

• US Youth Soccer Official Under 6 Playing Rules

• Handling Bloodborne Pathogens

• KidSafe Program

• Living Through a Lawsuit

• Operation GET REAL

• Principles of Conduct

• Referees, Coaches and Parents: Role Models for Life

• Tournament Safety

• Simplified Rules of Soccer (From the BBC Sport Academy)

• Soccer Quiz for Youth Referees

• Soccer Ref Quiz 2002 (PDF format) (Referee Magzine)

• Referee Administrative Handbook (.pdf) (Updated May 2002)
• Update to the Referee Administrative Handbook The Referee Administrative Handbook has two updates made July 20, 2001
• Training Video: Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials
• Training Video: Myths of the Game
  
   

Position Papers

• Abandoning a Match (.pdf)
• Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game (2001 Edition)
• Bleeding (.pdf)
• Cardable Offenses and the Restart of Play - 8/26/03
• Celebration (.pdf)
• Ceremonial Restart After Misconduct (.pdf)
• Electronic Flags
• Feinting (.pdf)
• FIFA Laws of the Game
• Guide for Fourth Officials (Booklet)
• Guide for Fourth Officials (Instructor Notes)
• Guide for Fourth Officials (Slides)
• Guide To Procedures For Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials
• Instructional Documents (Memoranda and Position Papers) - 1/13/03
• Instructions to Referees & Resolutions Affecting Team Coaches and Players - revised 5/06/03
• Jersey Sleeves Rule Suspended - This position paper refers to this previous announcement.
• Law Changes - 2001 (pdf version) or (PowerPoint Version)
• Law 4, Players’ Equipment (Jewelry) - added 3/17/03
• Managing Match Time - added 3/04/03
• Mandatory Suspension Following Dismissal
• Mass Confrontation - added 3/14/03
• Medical Alert Jewelry (.pdf)
• Miscellaneous
• Misconduct and Player Language - added 3/14/03
• Misconduct by Attackers
• Misconduct by Attackers at a Free Kick - revised 11/22/02
• No Replacement
• No Replacement for Player Sent Off - revised 11/22/02
• Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity Denied - The 4 Ds
• Player Dress
• Player's Equipment  - added 3/07/03
• Players Temporarily off the Field
• Positioning at Free Kick Restarts
• Positioning at Free Kick Restarts - revised 11/22/02
• Reduce to Equate (.pdf)
• Removal of Jerseys to Celebrate a Goal - added 7/23/03
• Rescinding a Displayed Card for Misconduct  - added 1/06/03
• Restarts
• Restarts after Striking, Throwing or Spitting - revised 11/22/02
• Sequential Infringements of the Law 
• Shinguards (.pdf)
• Substitution Requirements in Professional Games (MLS 3 + 1) - added 5/01/03
• Throw-In to Keeper by Teammate
• 2002 Memorandum
• 7 Cautionable & 7 Sending-Off Offenses
• 7 Cautionable & 7 Sending-Off Offenses (Professional Division Points System)
• Mechanics and Procedures
• Uniform

Courses
Assignor Course

• Intro to Referee Assigning (.pdf)
• Instructor Notes (.pdf)
• Handbook (.pdf)
• Handouts (.pdf)
  Entry Level Referee Training Course
  Lesson Plans
  • Entry Outline (.pdf)
  • Introduction (.pdf)
  • Law 1 (.pdf)
  • Law 2 (.pdf)
  • Law 3a (.pdf)
  • Law 3b (.pdf)
  • Law 4 (.pdf)
  • Law 5a (.pdf)
  • Law 5b (.pdf)
  • Law 5c (.pdf)
  • Law 7 (.pdf)
  • Law 8 (.pdf)
  • Law 9 (.pdf)
  • Law 10 (.pdf)
  • Law 11 (.pdf)
  • Law 12 (.pdf)
  • Law 13 (.pdf)
  • Law 14 (.pdf)
  • Law 15 (.pdf)
  • Law 16 (.pdf)
  • Law17 (.pdf)
  • Training (.pdf)
  • Fouls Handout (.pdf)
• Presentation Slides
  • Introduction (.pdf)
  • Offside (.pdf)
  • Law 1 (.pdf)
  • Law 2 (.pdf)
  • Law 3 (.pdf)
  • Law 4 (.pdf)
  • Law 5 (.pdf)
  • Law 6 (.pdf)
  • Law 7 (.pdf)
  • Law 8 (.pdf)
  • Law 9 (.pdf)
  • Law 10 (.pdf)
  • Law 11 (.pdf)
  • Law 12 - Fouls (.pdf)
  • Law 12 – Misconduct (.pdf)
  • Law 13 (.pdf)
  • Law 14 (.pdf)
  • Law 15 (.pdf)
  • Law 16 (.pdf)
  • Law 17 (.pdf)
  • Grade 10 Linesman Course
• Lesson Plans
  • Part I (.pdf)
  • Part II (.pdf)
• Presentation Slides
  • Part I (.pdf) (.ppt)
  • Part II (.pdf) (.ppt)
  • Part III (.pdf) (.ppt)
• Intermediate Training Course
• Lesson Plans
  • Table of Contents (.pdf)
  • 4th Official (.pdf)
  • 8 Keys (.pdf)
  • Bench Control (.pdf)
  • Challenges (.pdf)
  • Communications Video (.pdf)
  • Ethics a (.pdf)
  • Ethics b (.pdf)
  • Ethics c (.pdf)
  • Ethics d (.pdf)
  • Field Session (.pdf)
  • Game Situations a (.pdf)
  • Game Situations b (.pdf)
  • Goalkeeper (.pdf)
  • Goalkeeper Glossary (.pdf)
  • Goalkeeper Incidents (.pdf)
  • Goalkeeper Module (.pdf)
  • Intro (.pdf)
  • Intro HO (.pdf)
  • Kicks (.pdf)
  • Kicks HO (.pdf)
  • Offside (.pdf)
  • Offside Duties (.pdf)
  • Pre-Game (.pdf)
  • Referee Report Text (.pdf)
  • Referee Report HO (.pdf)
  • Referee Report Document (.pdf)
  • Running Line (.pdf)
• Presentation Slides
  • Introduction ( .pdf)
  • 4th Official (.pdf )
  • 4th Official HO (.pdf)
  • 8 Keys (.pdf)
  • Bench Control (.pdf)
  • Challenges (.pdf)
  • Ethics (.pdf)
  • Linesmanship (.pdf)
  • Offside Duties (.pdf)
  • Pre-Game (.pdf)
• Recreational Referee Courses
• Lesson Plans
  • Overview (.pdf)
  • Handouts (.pdf)
• Presentation Slides
  • Visuals 2 (.pdf)
  • Visuals 3 (.pdf)
  • Visuals 4 (.pdf)
  • Visuals 5 (.pdf)
• Small-Sided Training Course
  • Lesson Plan (.pdf)
  • Slides (.pdf)
• State Level Training Course
• Lesson Plans
  • Advantage (.pdf)
  • Coaching the Ref (.pdf)
  • Ethics (.pdf)
  • Foul Play Video (.pdf)
  • Foul Play Video LP (.pdf)
  • Gamesmanship (.pdf)
  • Gamesmanship LP (.pdf)
  • Levels of Competence (.pdf)
  • Match Management (.pdf)
  • Offside History (.pdf)
  • Offside History LP (.pdf)
  • Offside Video (.pdf)
  • Offside Video LP ( .pdf)
  • Psychology (.pdf)
  • Tactical Thinking (.pdf)
• Presentation Slides
  • Advantage (.pdf)
  • Coaching the Ref (.pdf)
  • Coaching the Ref 2 (.pdf)
  • Ethics (.pdf)
  • Gamesmanship (.pdf)
  • Match Management (.pdf)
  • Offside History (.pdf)
  • Psychology (.pdf)
  • Tactical Thinking (.pdf)
  • Tactical Thinking Color (.pdf)
• Supplemental Instruction Materials
  • Instructions for Referees and Resolutions Affecting Team Coaches and Players in Regional and National Cup Competitions and Tournaments (.pdf)
  • Electronic Flags (.pdf)
  • 2001 Law Changes (.pdf) (.ppt)
  • 2002 7 Cautionable + 7 Sending-Off Offenses - Amateur (.pdf)
  • 2002  7 Cautionable + 7 Sending-Off Offenses - Professional (.pdf)

 

Intermediate Training Course

   Lesson Plans

• Table of Contents (.pdf)
• 4^th Official (.pdf)
• 8 Keys (.pdf)
• Bench Control (.pdf)
• Challenges (.pdf)
• Communications Video (.pdf)
• Ethics a (.pdf)
• Ethics b (.pdf)
• Ethics c (.pdf)
• Ethics d (.pdf)
• Field Session (.pdf)
• Game Situations a (.pdf)
• Game Situations b (.pdf)
• Goalkeeper (.pdf)
• Goalkeeper Glossary (.pdf)
• Goalkeeper Incidents (.pdf)
• Goalkeeper Module (.pdf)
• Intro (.pdf)
• Intro HO (.pdf)
• Kicks (.pdf)
• Kicks HO (.pdf)
• Offside (.pdf)
• Offside Duties (.pdf)
• Pre-Game (.pdf)
• Referee Report Text (.pdf)
• Referee Report HO (.pdf)
• Referee Report Document (.pdf)
• Running Line (.pdf)

 

   Presentation Slides

• Introduction ( .pdf)
• 4^th Official (.pdf )
• 4^th Official HO (.pdf)
• 8 Keys (.pdf)
• Bench Control (.pdf)
• Challenges (.pdf)
• Ethics (.pdf)
• Linesmanship (.pdf)
• Offside Duties (.pdf)
• Pre-Game (.pdf)

 

Recreational Referee Courses

  Lesson Plans

• Overview (.pdf)
• Handouts (.pdf)

   Presentation Slides

• Visuals 2 (.pdf)
• Visuals 3 (.pdf)
• Visuals 4 (.pdf)
• Visuals 5 (.pdf)

 

State Level Training Course

   Lesson Plans

• Advantage (.pdf)
• Coaching the Ref (.pdf)
• Ethics (.pdf)
• Foul Play Video (.pdf)
• Foul Play Video LP (.pdf)
• Gamesmanship (.pdf)
• Gamesmanship LP (.pdf)
• Levels of Competence