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Parent Referee Info
Parent Volunteer Referee Information
The CVYSA encourages parent volunteers to referee to help keep the league fees low and to encourage parent participation in the sport.
Hopefully, the tips in the links and text below will provide some insight into making your referee experience more enjoyable for you and the kids!
Who can Referee?
Any Adult can referee CVYSA Recreational League matches. Currently registered USSF Certified Youth Referees can referee matches for age groups that are younger than the age group they would play in. For example, a 13 year old referee would play Under 14 and could referee U08, U10 and U12 matches. Uncertified youth can participate as Assistant referees or lines persons but can NOT be center officials at any level at any time.
What do I need to Referee?
The Referee checklist is Watch, Whistle, Pen, Paper, Cards, Coin. For most recreational matches a whistle and a watch are sufficient and it can be done with only a watch. A general understanding of the rules is also helpful.
The Rules
While soccer is ultimately a 90 minute game of 11 v 11 players, the USYSA has adopted Small Format matches to provide a game that is better suited to the physical and psychological capabilities of our youth. This format also provides more opportunities for each child to get "touches" on the ball which are required for them to be able to develop their skills.
The official Small Sided Law modifications are listed below, but these modifications assume that you are already familiar with The Laws of the Game used on the big field.
So there is alot of information in those documents, but what do you really need to know?
Here are a few of the Basics:
| U8 | U10 | U12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What size ball? | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| How many players? | 4v4, 4 on each team, no goalkeepers | 6v6, 6 on each team including goalkeepers | 8v8, 8 on each team including goalkeepers |
| How long is the game? | 12 minute quarters | 25 minute halves | 30 minute halves |
| How long is halftime? | 2 minutes between quarters, 5 minute interval at halftime | 5 minute interval at halftime | 5 minute interval at halftime |
| Free kicks? | All kicking restarts are direct | Direct and indirect free kicks | Direct and indirect free kicks |
| How far away do the opponents have to be on a free kick? | At least 4 yards | At least 8 yards | At least 8 yards |
| What about Offsides? | No Offsides | No Offsides | Offsides |
| Penalty Kicks? | No | Yes | Yes |
For all age divisions:
The players must wear shinguards that are worn inside the socks and are completely covered by the socks.
No jewelry is allowed on the soccer field. Taping is only acceptable for medical ID bracelets and necklaces. All other jewelry, including newly pierced earrings, must be removed.
Substitutions are unlimited at any stoppageof play with the permission of the referee.
The whole ball must cross the whole line for it to be "out" of play. if any part of the ball is above or touching the line, keep playing!
The direction for throw ins, corner kicks and goal kicks is determined by who the ball touched last, not who kicked it last. If a player from the Blue team kicks the ball and it bounces off of a Red player across the sideline out of play, it is Blue's throw in.
A proper throw in is defined as both feet on the ground off of the field, both hands on the ball, the throw starts from behind the player's head and the ball goes over the thrower's head. It is OK if the player steps on the line. It is NOT OK if one or both of the players feet are completely over the line and on the field when the ball is thrown.
A goal kick is granted when the ball crosses the goal line after having been last touched by an attacker. The goal kick can be taken from anywhere inside the goal area.
A Corner Kick is granted when the ball crosses the goal lind after having last been touched by a defender. The corner kick can be taken from any where inside the corner arc closest to where the ball crossed the line.
