Introduction

Referee Training Course

Basis of Laws of the Game

Safety

Sportsmanship

Spirit of the Game

Respect for Tradition

BREAKDOWN OF THE LAWS

Components of the Game

Laws 1, 2, 3 & 4

Authority

Laws 5 & 6

Rules of Play

Laws 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17

Technicalities

Laws 11 & 12

Law 1

Field of Play

Field Layout

Corner Flagpost and Corner Arc

Corner Flagpost and Corner Arc

Corner Flagpost and Corner Arc

Corner Flagpost and Corner Arc

Field Layout U-7/8

Field must be rectangularTouchline longer than goal line

Goal line

Goal kicks

Corner kicks

Score

Goal line

Touch line

Throw-ins

Substitutions

Halfway Line

Center Circle

Size varies by level

Defenders stay out prior to kick off

Center Mark

Kick off

Corner Arc

1 yd radius

Corner kicks

Corner Flag

Minimum 5 ft high

GoalSet on the Goal Line

Must be anchored to prevent falling over

Net should be fastened to the goal

Goal Area

Goal kicks

U-7 to 10

No planting by

offense or

defense

Penalty Area

Goal Keeper can handle the ball

Direct Free Kick becomes a Penalty Kick

Penalty Mark

Where ball is spotted for Penalty Kick

Penalty Arc

Not part of Penalty Area

.

Are part of the area they bound The ball must be completely out

Out of the penalty area to be in play after a goal kick

Out over the touch line for a throw-in Out over the goal line for a goal kick

or corner kick Out over the goal line and between

the goalposts and under the crossbar to be a goal

Lines

Pregame Field Inspection

Review• Field is what shape?

• Rectangular, touch lines being longer• Can you name the lines?• What do you inspect?

• Field – lines, debris, holes, condition• Goal – net secure and no holes• Goalposts:

• what if not anchored securely?• don’t play

• Is a ball on the Penalty Area Line in the Penalty Area?

• Yes, lines belong to the area to which they are boundaries

• What is the Goal Kick Line for on the U-7/8 Field?• Defending team has to be beyond the line until

the ball is kicked.

Law 2The Ball

Must be safe

Must be round

Must be properly inflated

The Ball

Home team provides the ball

Referee approves the ball

Referee returns the ball at the end of the game

Ball Rules

U-7/8 Size 3

U-9-12 Size 4

U-14 & up Size 5

Ball Sizes

Players

Law 3

Division Number At Least

U-7/8 4 3

U-9/10 6* 4

U-12 8* 6

U-14 11* 7

*Includes Goalkeeper

Number of Players

Player – Team member in the game

Substitute – Team member not in the game

Player vs. Substitute

Unlimited At any stoppage

Throw-in – either team Goal kick Kick off Direct kick Indirect kick Injury Between periods

With permission of the referee!

Substitutions

Substitutes should be ready at halfway line

Count heads before restart Add time if being used as a

delay tactic Substitution is a right, can

not be denied, but can be managed.

Substitution (cont’d)

Player ejected prior to start of game may be replaced

Player ejected during game can not be replaced

Adding a player is not a substitution, but still requires permission

Substitution (cont’d)

Players Equipment

Law 4

Shirt or jersey Colored and numbered Must be tucked in

Shorts Socks

Shirt, shorts and socks must be the same color as teammates

Shinguards – covered by socks Shoes

Required

Shoes must be safe Baseball and football cleats are not

allowed Sport or turf shoes are allowed Check for large dangerous toe cleat,

some soccer shoes have a small toe cleat which is allowed

Each team must be different, including referee team If the same, home team changes

jersey or wears pinnies Goalkeeper colors different than all

other players

Jersey Colors

Jewelry – bracelets, necklaces, etc Earrings Watches Hard helmets or caps Blue jeans, long athletic pants are

allowed when the temperature is below 50

Anything referee deems as dangerous

Not Allowed

Athletic pants of same color as shorts or worn under shorts

Padded casts or splints Soft caps or headbands

Allowed