CSOA RefereePre-Game Requirements or

What should a CSOA referee’s game plan include?

Jim SprungCSOA VP for Training

February 6, 2010

Discussion Topics

• The Field• The School • The Coaches• Your Team• The Game

2/6/10 2CSOA Training February 2010

The Field

• Walk it– Are the distances correct?– What is the status of football goal posts and are

the soccer goals ANCHORED?– Are the teams on the same or different sides?– Can my ARs run the line without being injured?– What are the field conditions?

2/6/10 3CSOA Training February 2010

The School• Trainers – only come on when beckoned• Field coordinator – know who it is• Time keeper – make sure they know when to

start and stop the clock; they keep the time• Nets• Corner flags• Game start decision

2/6/10 4CSOA Training February 2010

The Coaches• Introduce yourself and your team• Get rosters• Get game balls from the home team • Ask the necessary questions– Is your team ready?– Is your team properly equipped?– Home team coach

• Ball shaggers• If no trainer currently on site ask when the trainer arrives to

introduce him or herself

– Remind them of game length and overtimes 2/6/10 5CSOA Training February 2010

Your Team• You need to have a game plan just like the players• Basic stuff to start – re-read the rule book before the first game

– Left or right diagonal– Stay with the off sides or the ball if deeper and follow to the end line– Who is writing and who is keeping backup time

• How to start the game– Sportsmanship discussion to include coaches– Introductions– Coin toss – direction or ball are coin toss winner’s choice

• Game progression plan– Substitutions– Fouls– How to handle restarts – in ARs area, not in ARs area– Off sides– Cards – yellow card player needs to leave field; soft red, can replace player; tell the coaches– Penalty kicks– Goals– Balls not in the ARs area; how and when should they assist you– Throw ins – and if foul throw what to do– Don’t get caught watching the ball– Injuries – remember you can stop the clock and you have the Indirect Kick in your tool kit

2/6/10 6CSOA Training February 2010

Your Team (continued)• Issues to watch for

– Goals posts if football goals– Volatile coaches– Specific players– Goalkeepers – release of the ball

• How to have fun– Keep eye contact as much as possible– Talk to your ARs– ARs talk to your center– Develop signals to know time left, how things are going, what needs to be done to change the game, if

needed• Half-time

– How is the game going?– Are there players we need to watch?– ARs exchange information about offense/defense movement and offside– Any issues with the coaches– Hydrate and stretch again, if needed

• How to end the game– Immediately walk off the field together– the school manages post game– Review the results – cards, score, sportsmanship, anything needed for Commissioner or Assignor– Walk out of the stadium as a team

2/6/10 7CSOA Training February 2010

Have a good game plan (i.e. pre-game) and enjoy the game

See you on the pitchDiscussion

2/6/10 CSOA Training February 2010 8