First Weekend March 14, 2026

Make sure you have a 2026 Badge

Soccer Referee Recertification & Upgrade Info | Cal South

Remember to Keep it Simple: See a Foul! Call the Foul!
And No Dogs! NO Dogs! at school fields. It’s School rule, not JUSA rule. 

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. 
Other thoughts: 
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 POLICY Do not start a game if a dog is present on the sidelines. Ask the coach to remove the dog. 

It looks to be a beautiful weekend to play soccer. Lets 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. I never get complaints about a ref calling too many fouls. 

5) Be Professional, wear the full referee Kit. 

Above all, have some fun!

Just a few reminders: 

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.

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. 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.

Scroll down for a link to referee fees. U8-U10 have quarters and free subs at any point during the game. 

NO PETS ON ANY FIELD AT ANY TIME: PYLUSD POLICY

JUSA is liable and at risk of losing our field permits. Licensed service animals are the exception. Tell your spectators to leave all pets at home. A pet can cause a forfeit! Referees have been instructed not to start a game with a pet on the sideline.

Portapotties: The combo lock code is 115 or 911. Please lock the door when you are done. School bathrooms are not open on the weekends.

Jewelry: No jewelry is allowed. ALL earrings must be removed (even recently pierced ones). If a player has a permanent bracelet, it must be covered with a sweatband or athletic tape.

Game Card / Player Cards / Ref Fees:

Each team must provide a Game Card to the referee with their full roster (click the link below for a template). List your players by jersey number. The center ref will check the players names with your laminated player card sheet (don’t cut it), before the game begins. No player without a player card will be allowed to play. U5 – U6 do not need to do this.

Each team pays HALF of the ref fees listed on the fee schedule. Your referee check should be split into 10 games.

Fall Weekend Games Start 9/6/25

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!