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Referee Pre and Post Game Duties and Activities

Pre-Game

Make sure you have properly scheduled yourself in the Referee Scheduler

Arrive early
- At least 15 minutes prior to game time (20-30 mins if first game of the day)
- In proper uniform: jersey, shorts, black socks, and badge
- With required equipment: Watch, pens, whistle, coin, flags, data wallet
Check field and equipment
- Markings
- Holes, glass, rocks, debris, etc.
- Goals (properly secured)
- Nets (secured, no holes/gaps)
- Corner flags
- COVID Modifications :
  - All supporters sit to the side of their bench so there are no parents behind the Assistant Referees.
Introduce yourself to the Coaches & Team Managers
- Learn their names and write them down
- Be approachable (not flippant, cold or arrogant)
- Request Lineup Cards (aka Game Cards)
- Remind Home Team Coach you will need 3 good balls, properly inflated
- Home Team wears “pinnies” if both teams have same/similar color jerseys,
- Home Team (and their spectators) on North (or West) sideline of field
- Away Team (and their spectators) on South (or East) sideline
Check players equipment
- Team Uniform:
  - Shirt, Shorts, Shoes, Socks, Shin-guards
  - If thermal shorts are worn, they must be the same color as the shorts
  - Shin guards must be under the socks (completely covered–safety issue)
  - Goalkeeper’s shirt must be distinguishable
  - If both teams have similar color jerseys, Home Team wears “pinnies”
  - Covid Modifications: Everyone is permitted to wear masks during play, but it’s not required.
- Nothing dangerous (in your opinion)
  - No jewelry, watches, earrings. No taped-over earrings. No rubber “friendship bracelets”
  - No casts or splints (even if padded)
  - Knee braces are okay, but only if padded and safe to all players (in your opinion)
  - Medical alert bracelets may be worn, but must be secured to the player with tape, cloth wristband or something similar that is safe. The information must remain visible.
Brief Assistant Referees
- Neutral AR’s:
  - Work as a team
  - Follow standard signals
  - Discuss non-standard signals
- Club Linesmen:
  - Non-neutral
  - Explain expectations
  - Put at ease
  - Only call in/out of play
  - Raise flag straight up when ball has gone completely over the line.
- Conduct coin toss
  - COVID Modifications: Captains salute or wave to each other - no physical contact

Post-game

Collect the game balls and return to owner.
Supervise team handshake
- COVID Modification: After the match, the players don’t shake/slap hands - they wave/applaud the other team from a distance.
Complete Lineup Card and Misconduct Report (if any). Deposit in Field Box.
Congratulate referee team and seek feedback
If you are the last game of the day on that particular field, remind Parents of both teams to break down the field.

See Lineup Card instructions and Misconduct Report on the Referee Info & Resources page.

Pregame Conference

Pre-Game Conference Video

As leader of the officiating team, the referee must establish during the pregame conference how the team will work and cooperate. The referee (depending on his or her own level of experience) should tailor the pregame to fit the composition of the refereeing crew, including their likely varying levels of knowledge and fitness; the age, competition, and skill levels of the players; and the particular requirements of the competition itself. It is often useful for the referee to develop a checklist for topics to be covered in the pregame conference. The amount of detail would be tailored to the needs (see above) of the referee and the assistant referees (ARs).

The referee should encourage the ARs to ask questions during the pregame conference, just to ensure that they have understood what has been discussed and what they are to do.