Week 5 Spring 2026

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!

Week 2 Spring 2026

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!

Week One Spring 2026

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 

  • Each team must provide a Game Card to the referee with their full roster. The center ref will check the players names against the laminated player card sheet before the game begins. 
  • Outside teams may not have cards the first week, let them play! 
  • Some JUSA players will have a Blue Temporary card good for that day only. They are borrowed players — let them play. See attached card sample. 

4) Ref Fees: Each team pays HALF of the ref fees listed on the fee schedule. 

5) Seating Arrangements:

  • All spectators sit to the left of the team bench, never behind the AR or the goals. 

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!

Week 9 Fall 2025

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. 

Week 5 Fall 2025

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!

Week 3 Fall 2025

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.