Ref Schedule and Other Info

The Ref Schedule will be available by Wednesday night.  Please review and confirm your assignment by emailing the Ref Coordinator, Bill Tholen by Thursday night, 10pm. Please mention which time slot you are confirming so there isn't a misunderstanding in case there were multiple games assigned. If we're having trouble filling spots, the games will be listed as OPEN in which case you should contact the Ref Coordinator if you are interested in doing the game.

Previous weeks ref assignments: 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12

Keep an eye out for Rescheduled Games.

Below are a few things to remember (updated for the Fall 2011 Season):

	During the Fall Season, U12s and U14s play small-sided games. No Assistant Refs are used but offside is still called.
	Make every effort to start the games on time. All refs must keep the time. Do not use a cell phone to keep time.
	Arrive early to allow enough time for pregame activities: inspect field, make sure the goals have at least two sand bags,  inspect players equipment, check game ball, coin toss, etc.  You can do these things before the previous game ends.
	U7s/U8s play 12 min quarters. U7s/U8s play using two fields at once so field 1A will need two refs and field 1B will need two refs. Refs working the same field number should try to start and end their quarters at the same time.   If there are not enough players at game time, start one game and then start the other when more players arrive.
	U7 through U14s (small-sided) - Goalkicks can not go directly over the half-way line.  Additionally, once a goalkeeper plays the ball with their hands, they can not kick, throw, or punt the ball directly over the half way line. It must bounce or be touched in their own half first. If the goalkeeper dribbles the ball outside of their own penalty area or does not play the ball with their hands, then they can kick the ball as far as they want. Violation: U7/U8 - direct free kick from half-way line. U10/U12/U14 - indirect free kick from half-way line.
	Ref Payment Cards should be filled out online within 48 hours of the game. You do not need to report scores for U7 and U8 games.
	Review our Fall Rules Summary.
	The following publications will help you improve as a referee: Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, Guide to Procedures, Coastal League Rules (spring only).

Referee Report Forms

Please use the Online Ref Payment Card to report the games that you officiate within 24 hours of the game. There is no need for the coach to sign anything. You can bring a blank index card or piece of paper to the game to write down the information you need or to keep track of the score. You should always keep score for U10+ games, fall and spring, because it develops good habits. There are ref score sheets you can find online that you can print yourself to help you keep track of the game info (sample ref score sheet).   To review the games you have reported and check your earnings so far for the current season, you can click here.
 

Referee Age Group Considerations

As you progress to different age groups, the game often changes with regard to rules and the intensity of play.  See Referee Age Group Considerations to get a better idea of how expectations will change in different age groups.
 

Referee Mentor Program

Under the direction of the Massachusetts State Referee Association, PYS has implemented a Referee Mentor program to support its referees. The goal of this program is to provide our young referees the support structure they need to be successful. Referees are encouraged to seek out a mentor if they have questions or concerns.
 

	Bill Tholen - PYS Referee Coordinator Ref Certification: USSF Grade 7, Certified Assignor since 2008 Ref Since: 2001 Leagues/Tournaments: MAPLE, Coastal, Super Y, OTHSL, Needham Invitational Tournament Coaching Licenses:       USSF G, F, E, D       NSCAA Level III Goalkeeping Diploma, Advanced Regional Diploma
	Dave Carter Ref Certification: USSF Grade 8, Certified Assignor 2004-2006 Ref Since: 2001 Leagues/Tournaments: Coastal Coaching Licenses:       USSF G, F
	Bill Cullity Ref Certification: USSF Grade 8 Ref Since: 2003 Leagues/Tournaments: MAPLE, MPS, Coastal, State Cup, Nauset Tournament Coaching Licenses:       USSF G, F
	John Nathan Ref Certification: USSF Grade 8, NFHS High School Referee (2001) Ref Since: 1999 Leagues/Tournaments: MAPLE, Super Y, Coastal Coaching Licenses:       USSF G, F, E, D       NSCAA Level I Goalkeeping Diploma
	Mike Tropeano Ref Certification: USSF Grade 8 Ref Since: 2009 Leagues/Tournaments: MAPLE, Coastal Coaching Licenses:       USSF G, F, E

How to Become a Ref

Complete information on refereeing in Massachusetts is available on the Massachusetts State Referee Committee (Mass Ref)  website.  If you will be at least 12 years old by the start of the season,  you can become a Grade 9 recreational referee by taking an 8 hour course and passing a test. This lets you referee non-competitive games and assistant ref on most other games. If you are 16 or older you can become a Grade 8 referee by taking a 16 hour course and passing a test. This lets you referee just about any youth game which the referee assignor thinks you're capable of handling.  Grade 9 referees can move up to Grade 8 after they have at least one years experience and if their age plus their years of experience is 16 or more. To move from a Grade 9 to a Grade 8 you must take the 8 hour Grade 8 Bridge course and pass the test.

For a course listing, visit the Course List at the Mass Ref website. The list is updated often, especially during the off-season.

Offside???

Offside is one of the most confusing rules in soccer.   Here are some great links to with video and animations to help you understand the rule better:

Offside Rule Animated (Lo Res / Hi Res) from Dynamic-Thought.com - Great explanation of the entire offside rule.

FIFA Interactive Guide - Another great explanation of the entire offiside rule.

Week in Review from USSoccer.com is a great site where they break down incidents and calls from the previous weeks MLS action.  There are some great offside examples as well as videos illustrating many of the other rules of soccer.

There are many resources available to soccer refs over the internet.  One of the best is AskTheRef.com.  Here you can find questions and answers from soccer referees all over the world.  From the common to the un-common - just about everything is here.  Some of the referees on the AskTheRef panel have 3,000 games of refing experience behind them and work A-League or MLS games.  Visiting this site will certainly improve your refing skills.

Current Pembroke Referee Pay Scale

The PYS Referee pay scale was last updated in February, 2009.  PYS is proud to be the first employer for many of our kids. Through refing, kids can learn the responsibilities that go with any job like being on time and maintaining a professional appearance. Refing is also great for developing good interpersonal skills.

Referee Uniforms

On November 17th, 2007, the USSF launched a new "official" referee uniform at the MLS Cup. The new uniform features a redesigned shirt and socks. The new design features include an updated stripe pattern and a colored notch on the back collar. Also featured on the sleeve of the shirt and on the shorts is the updated U.S. Soccer Referee Program logo. A new color, green, has also been added to existing gold, red, blue, and black.

Referees will have two options on the type of sock they will wear. The new sock is embroidered with “U.S. Soccer Referee” on the foot of the sock, but referees are also permitted to wear the three white-stripe sock or the black sock with the old U.S. Soccer Referee Department logo, as both are still USSF-approved.

Going forward, Official Sports will only sell the new style. In youth and adult amateur games, it is acceptable for the crew to wear the old uniform or combination of new and old uniforms. Referees are encouraged to purchase the new uniform when replacing their old version.