All posts by Richard Mabry

JUSA Signature Friendship Tournament 2017 – Aug 5th/6th

Important Information,
BE EARLY, BE EARLY, BE EARLY 
 
Keep games on time.  There should be enough time between games – 40 minute games have 60 minute spacing, 50 minute games have 70 minute spacing, etc.
Allow water breaks if necessary or requested – AR’s should have sidelines prepared – make them quick…
 
Record scores on game card coaches have and return to them.  Sample attached.

Tournament Rules are attached.  Here’s a rundown:


U9 – 20 minute halves  (Final is 25, but only B9 has a final and NOCRA is covering)
U10 – 25 minute halves all games
U11/U12 – 25 minute halves (Final is 30 minutes)
U13 – 30 minute halves (FRYSC/NOCRA covering finals)
U14/U15 – 35 minute halves all games


No overtime in any games – straight to kicks for Semi-finals or Finals (designated on schedule).  No kicks needed if a Consolation game ties.


U12 games are 9v9 as they will be this fall.  U11 games continue to be 9v9 as they were last year.


BUILD OUT LINE – U9, U10 & U11 ( ** NOT U12 ** )
Using 10-second rule from last fall’s Signature League and JUSA Spring League.  Use your words if the team is close to 10 seconds – should be able to avoid the indirect free kick for violating 10 seconds.
No modification of offside for build-out line


HEADING – no heading U9/U10/U11.  U12 heading is okay as it’s a single-year division
Indirect Free Kick – move to top of penalty area if by defense in their own area.


Coin toss for side/kick-off


Quick equipment check – no need to check cards/medical releases


No casts

Law Changes 2016-2017

Important Information

On Monday, our instructor Wayne Merrick started a multi-part series on the changes to the Laws of the Game for 2016-2017.  A PDF copy of Wayne’s Powerpoint presentation is available here.  It includes a summary of the changes to the 17 laws along with detailed analysis of the changes to Laws 1 through 4.  Changes to the remaining Laws will be covered in future monthly classes.

One major change is that the Laws are now published by the IFAB, not FIFA.  The IFAB is the organization responsible for maintaining the Laws so the publications are now branded with the IFAB designation.

An electronic version of the 2016-2017 Laws booklet, along with a publication covering analysis of the changes is available at http://www.theifab.com/

 

New Uniform Info

General Information

U.S. Soccer Federation Debuts New Referee Uniform from Official Sports International at NWSL Matches
The May 1, 2016 NWSL matches marked the debut of the latest version of the Official U.S. Soccer Referee Uniform. Officiating crews in Boston, Chicago and Seattle wore redesigned kits featuring the recently-launched U.S. Soccer Referee Program logo.

Official Sports International, the exclusive Referee Uniform Supplier of U.S. Soccer, incorporated direct feedback from referees at all levels during the redesign process. The new kit features a number of improvements including a sleeker design that is now available in both men’s and women’s cuts for the first time.

The uniform will be available to the referee community for purchase this summer in Pro and Economy versions. The uniform will be sold in five colors, with red, yellow and green available first, while blue and black will be released around the holidays. The current official jersey uniform style can still be worn during matches through 2018.

PRO offside test

External article, Videos, ,

The PRO (Professional Referee Organization) which assigns referees to professional soccer matches in MLS, USL, NASL, NWSL, etc. has released a training video they use for their assistant referees.

See how many you can get right: (Write down your answers. The answers are revealed half-way through as each clip is repeated with a pause at the time of the decision.)

Source:  http://www.proreferees.com/news-offside-test–pro-assistant-referee-training-camp.php

Fall League – Week 1 – Important Info

Important Information, ,

importantinfoThis weekend’s schedule is now finalized and, as of this moment, all refereeing spots have been filled.

Make sure you are EARLY to your assignments – 30 minutes at least.  I start getting phone calls from nervous coaches at 8:45am when you aren’t already at the field.

If there are locked gate issues, locked equipment issues, etc., let me know ASAP so I can notify the proper people.  You will receive equipment lock combinations via my e-mail version of this which will be sent by Friday.

Player Cards

Player cards are not required for games this weekend.  The coach should have signed Medical Releases (CalSouth Player Registration Forms) for all players.  If not, make sure the parents are present at the game and plan to stay, just in case there is a severe injury.

Let the coach know they should have those forms with them at all times, including at practices.

Standard Fall Recreational Rules
A copy of the 2015 JUSA Handbook is available here.  I will have copies available at the next referee meeting
Remember that the following apply for Recreational games in the fall:
  • U12 and U14 brackets allow free substitutions, at any stoppage, with permission of the referee, at all age levels.
  • There are quarter breaks on all small-sided 8v8 games – U7 through U10.  Substitutions may ONLY be made during the quarter and halftime break.
  • Home team occupies the North or West sideline.  While this is not necessarily a refereeing issue, we are often asked to arbitrate such disagreements.
Fees

Referee fees for Recreational games have not changed since 2014.  The fee schedule is available below:

JUSA Fall 2015 Referee Fees

NOTE: There will be changes to the Signature fee collection procedure and possibly the rates themselves.  More information will be given prior to the start of Signature play on September 12th once final decisions have been made by Cal South.

It is everyone’s responsibility in the referee crew to bring small bills in order to split the fees correctly.  

Offside Interpretation Change – Coaches’ Edition

Important Information

As mentioned at tonight’s coaches’ meeting, below is an edited version of a monthly video podcast produced by the Minnesota State Referee Committee regarding changes in the interpretation of Law 11 – Offside. About 10 minutes of referee-specific information has been removed leaving behind just a presentation on the change in interpretation and several relevant video clips

If you are interested in watching the full version, it is available here

Law 11 – Offside – Required viewing for Spring 2015 season

Important Information, Videos, ,
At tonight’s JUSA referee meeting, we watched a video produced by the Minnesota State Referee Committee regarding implementing the 2013 changes to Law 11 – Offside, specifically about how a deliberate play by a defender negates the offside position of any attackers.

 

Everyone MUST watch this video prior to spring season.

 

We have discussed the offside changes at several previous meetings and have shown many clips and examples.  This podcast is well-produced and gives a very clear explanation of how the slight changes in wording from July 2013 affect the way referees, and assistant referees, must judge offside.

 

In the past, we have put off instituting this change, but starting with our Spring 2015 season, JUSA referees are expected to implement this interpretation of offside.  Instructors at other referee associations throughout Cal South will be carrying the message to their referees as well.

 

If you didn’t attend tonight’s meeting, or if you did and just want to re-watch the video at home with better sound, here is a link to the Minnesota State Referee Committee’s podcast for December.