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!
You are a JUSA ref this weekend! We had a great first week. Here are a few reminders for the second week:Focus on your pre game with coaches.
Please cover:
1) Introduce yourself and thank them for coaching
2) Confirm the time of the half: 25 min? 30min?
3) Confirm the substitution rules (unlimited)
4) Sidelines: the coach has control of the parents on the sidelines5) Angles: You have a different angle and you may see something different than him. And we just need to play on!
It is going to be hot! Take water breaks!
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.
FEES
Each Team pays half. Collect money from each coach. The split is 40% for center, 30% for each AR. Print out the fee schedule. There is a Ref meeting Monday nIght,3/23
No Dogs: Schools do not allow animals on their fields. Please ask the coach to ask the parent to remove the animals. We rent the fields from the schools and can not risk losing the fields due to an animal. At City Park fields, animals should be at least 15 yards away from the field. Did I tell you there is a ref meeting Monday night 3/23?
PLAYER CARDS
Player Cards are required. Please check them against the players and game card.
RULES
If you’ve never done U8 before, REVIEW THE Build Out line rules.
Review the attached Quick Reference Guides. Ref Meeting is Monday, 3/23
Substitutions:
JUSA Recreational U8, U9, and U10 play QUARTERS in the spring. However, Unlimited substitutions can happen throughout the game. What time is the ref meeting Monday?
Game Cards: Coaches should hand you a completed card for you to check players against cards.
Next Ref Meeting is Monday March 23rd 7 PM at YLCC. Great Gift for all in attendance!
Spring Soccer is here, players are ready to kick the ball, Coaches are ready to teach, parents are ready to cheer and you are ready to blow the whistle!
Read below for some first week reminders. Spring has outside teams playing in the JUSA Rec league (the largest in SoCal with over 170 teams). Spring is less competitive and designed to develop players. Have Fun!
1) BE EARLY – At least 30 minutes prior to your first game. Coaches, and your crew mates, get worried and start calling me. Referees must be in full Referee Kit. Yellow is the primary JUSA color and will not conflict with JUSA teams.
Need a uniform go to this link: Go to this link and use JUSA10 at checkout for a 10% discount: Buy Soccer Referee Uniform | Shirt | Shorts | Socks| Whistle | Wallet – Total Soccer Factory
2) NO PETS ON SCHOOL FIELDS AT ANY TIME: PYLUSD POLICY
JUSA is liable and at risk of losing our field permits. Licensed service animals are the exception. Do not start a game with a pet on the sideline. At public parks, animals need to be 15 yards from sidelines.
3) Game Card / Player Cards
4) Ref Fees: Each team pays HALF of the ref fees listed on the fee schedule.
5) Seating Arrangements:
6) Pre Game with Coaches:
A) Thank you for Coaching
B) Time: confirm the length of the half
C) Unlimited Subs in the Spring: Free subs on my whistle even if their are quarters
D)Sidelines: Coach has control of the sidelines, do not engage with parents
E) Angle: “I may have a different angle than you Coach, and we play on”
7) Print the Cheat sheet, ref fees, and review the spring presentation
8) Next ref meeting is Monday, March 23, 7 PM, YLCC.
9) Have Fun! Have Fun!
First Weekend March 14, 2026
Make sure you have a 2026 Badge
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.