Referee Tent (and Q&A)

2008 OSA Referee Registration Open

Returning referees from 2007 can now register for 2008 by visiting the ITSportsnet Referee Registration website.  Please follow the instructions listed and ensure you login using the email address from the previous year.  You must register with the OSA in order to referee/assist ANY soccer games with the LSSC. 

The OSA will impose a $15 late fee starting April 1st, 2008!!!

> ITSportsnet Referee Registration <

Minimum Refereeing Age Increased for 2008

The CSA issued a national refereeing restriction only allowing referees age 14 by April 1st to be allowed to centre large fields.  Their response to this requirement was to increase the C4 certification age to 13 this year and 14 next year.  The LSSC Head Referee is STUNNED at the resolution the CSA decided upon to ensure the age restriction on the large field.  We can only shake our heads and offer our appologies to the 11 and 12 year olds that registered for 2008 refereeing.

> Read the full article <

2008 Referee and Linesperson Registration

Once again I had an excellent response to our 2008 registration for Referees and Junior Linespersons.  2008 registration is now CLOSED!!

All new registrants for 2008 have been waitlisted.  This wait list will be opened once I know my squad requirements (spring 2008).  All returning referees and linespersons have priority; all Junior Linespersons have priority the following year for becoming a referee.  Based on my numbers and "significant" wait list - I strongly recommend signing on as a Junior linesperson (11 years old) first as those positions are easier to accomodate.

Thanx!  The Head Referee. 

Questions and Answers (from the Head Referee)

If a goalie receives the ball outside the penalty area and then dribbles it into the penalty area and picks it up - is that allowed?
Depends.  A goalie is not allowed to pick up a ball that has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate.  Thus, if the goalie receives the ball from an opponent, they can pick it up.  However, if the goalie is outside of the penalty area when receiving the ball, they can't pick it up unless they move the ball into the penalty area (10 yard box on the mini field or 18 yard box on the large field).  Now, if a goalie standing outside the penalty area receives a deliberately kicked ball from a teammate - they cannot use their hands.  If they then move the ball inside the penalty area, they still can't use their hands because they initially received the ball from a teammate.  Essentially, for those of you that play goal, if your teammate 'kicks' the ball towards you, do not pick it up no matter where you are standing; AND if an opponent kicks it to you, you may pick it up provided you are in your penalty area.
This offense is loosely termed a 'Passback' by the referee and is one of 4 special 'indirect' offenses that can occur inside the penalty area.  The others are called 'Throwback', '6-second rule' and 'Double Touch'.  

Please explain the Hand Ball offence.
I have received many questions about hand ball and tried to explain the nuances of the offence.  This question is placed here to aid all of you that have asked.  The offence of hand ball, for which a referee stops play, ONLY occurs if the ball is handled deliberately.  As soon as a soccer law requires a deliberate act (or intent), the discretion of the referee becomes the deciding factor.  Discretion is better termed "in the opinion of the referee".  Their opinion will likely differ from at least 50% of the people at the field.  Referees use certain guidelines to determine intent:  Hand plays ball = offence; Ball plays hand = no offence; Ball plays hand but the hand was in a controlled position (faceing the ball, attacking play) and the hand could have been moved in time = offence; Ball plays hand but the hand was in a defensive position = no offence; Ball plays hand but the player was turned from play = no offence.  Hand, in this definition, includes from the shoulder down, but not the top of the shoulder.  Blatant use of the hand to prevent an attack is a yellow card.  Blatant use of the hand to prevent a goal or goal scoring opportunity is a red card.  The referee faces MANY decisions when calling a hand ball.  Advantage rule can also nullify the hand ball offence - if no advantage was gained by using the hand - play on.  A player that gains an advantage by having the ball hit their hand is only commiting the offence if the hand or arm motion was deliberate - most feel that advantage gained is deliberate - but not always!  I look at arm motion, posture (defensive or aggressive), advantage and effect - I decide deliberateness based on those factors.  The hand ball offence is not black and white - most events where the hand touches the ball is NOT an offence - the referee decides.

If a player traps the ball between their legs when they are lying or kneeling down and refuses to let go - what should the referee do?
The intent of soccer is for players to move the ball legally and score more goals than the other team to win.  Situations during play where this is prevented usually result in a stoppage in play by the referee.  In this particular case the referee should call "Dangerous Play", not because other players are kicking at the ball that is between someone's legs, but because that player is putting himself in danger of being kicked.  The restart would be an Indirect Kick to the opponents of the player that was holding the ball between their legs.

My Daugther broke her wrist on the Kickoff Weekend - can she still play with a cast?
FIFA and the CSA (Canadian Soccer Association) state that a player must not wear anything that is dangerous to him/herself or any other player.  The CSA further states that only soft or light casts are acceptable provided they are padded with bubble wrap (NOT foam).  The LSSC will allow forearm casts provided they are bubble wrapped (larger bubbles preferred); the wrap seam is taped and then the whole cast and wrap is bagged and taped.  Compound wrist fractures where the majority of the hand is casted or the thumb is immobilized are not allowed.  Fiberglass casts should be worn instead of plaster, but plaster can be worn PROVIDED the cast is eventually replaced with fiberglass.  It is strongly recommended that you contact the Head Referee - send an email with a picture of the arm/cast.  Casts that include the elbow, are not allowed.  The club will also require a Doctor's note indicating that the player may participate in sports.  Finally, if the player cannot control the additional momentum that a casted arm is subjected to and thus poses a safety threat, the player will be asked to leave the field.

I saw a referee give a yellow card to an U10B for celebrating a goal - is this really necessary?
Its funny you mention this, as I was watching the game too.  After the goal was scored, the player lifted his jersey over his face and ran around the field in jubilation.  Covering the face with your jersey or completely removing the jersey is an automatic yellow card - there is no grey area here.  The referee did exactly what I expected her to do - enforce the laws.  The referee is not expected to determine the necessity of a call or why laws exist - they are expected to enforce them only.  In this particular case, the coach will need to instruct the team on the laws and that is where I can help - many teams in previous years have asked me to attend their practice so that I can provide a 20 minute discussion on the laws.  If this is something your coach would like to pursue, please email me.

As a coach in previous years with the LSSC, I am aware of the various policies regarding behaviour of the coaches, players and spectators.  I know the season just started, but how can we ensure that coaches, players and spectators abide by the club policies as there were blatant violations over the kickoff weekend?
Firstly, I thank you for volunteering your time and energy to soccer - it is greatly appreciated.  Every member of the LSSC (Coach, player, parent) is required to read and adhere to the policies as outlined in the Club 2007 Handbook (see the link above the Q&A section).  You must also understand, that the coach is the liason to the parents.  All club communication will go through the coach and thus the coach is ultimately responsible for the behaviour of the parents and their acceptance of the Handbook Policies - some coaches have even asked parents to sign a letter indicating that they have read the handbook.  Although the club does not deem this necessary, it is a more direct form of ensuring the policies are adhered to.  Every parent/member that signed the registration form (soft or hard signature) and paid their registration is CONFIRMING their acceptance of our policies.  Violation of these policies can result in the member (player, parent or coach) being removed from field or further soccer activity for the rest of the season.  Personally, I witnessed members (coaches and spectators) disrespecting the technical area, the six foot distance from the touch line, the 30 foot smoking restrictions (must be 30 feet from anyone before lighting up), I even intervened on a game because one coach was standing IN the field of play.
How do we get people to know and adhere to these policies? - hopefully my putting your question on this site will take care of that.  Thanks for your dedication to soccer.