Advice to VSA Referees – Spring 2008
VSA is an instructional league. We do not record match scores or post standings. Our goal is to provide a positive, fun soccer experience for children of this area. A positive attitude is expected of referees at all times. Remember, this is a job. You receive pay for your services. The number and level of matches that you receive in the future will depend upon your
performance and your enthusiasm for the job.
The weather can be unpredictable. The county may close the fields at times to protect them from adverse conditions. Call the VSA Hotline, 703-753-2432, for a recorded message regarding the field status before you head out to the matches or check out the VSA website at www.vsaonline.com after 7:15 AM if there is any doubt. If the fields are closed on Saturday we will not play matches. The first rain out will be rescheduled to June 7th. If there are subsequent rainouts in the season those matches will not be made up. If teams are already on the fields and the weather changes prior to the matches, the commissioner will make the decision on play. Once the matches have started, the decision rests with the referees.
Our policy is that every child that shows up for a match will play at least ½ of the match. If you notice an obvious violation of this rule please contact Dave Milne.
The duration of the matches are as follows:
U5 12 minute halves U12 25 minute halves
U6 18 minute halves U14 35 minute halves
U8 20 minute halves U16 40 minute halves
U10 24 minute halves U19 40 minute halves
Duration of the matches may be shorted at the discretion of the commissioner.
Matches should be played with the SAME number of players from each team. Coaches from opposing teams may decide to play with uneven numbers of players but this must be a firm agreement by both coaches. No coach should be intimidated into accepting this situation if it is not what they want. Maximum number of players per side is: (U-12 may play up to 11 vs. 11 if both coaches agree.)
U5: 4 U6: 4 U8: 5 U10: 7 U12: 8 U-14 and older: 11
The size of the ball for each division is:
U5: #3 U6: #3 U8: #3 U10: #4 U12: #4 U14 & Up: # 5
In the U5 and U6 divisions, 1 coach is allowed on the field to assist the players with positioning. Coaches should avoid being too close to the action when the ball is in play. While the ball is in play no coach is allowed in the penalty area.
There are no goalies in the U5, U6, and U8 divisions and players should not be purposefully positioned in the goal to play as such. This is not to say that players should not be instructed to drop back and play defense when the other team is attacking. Defending players are not allowed in the goal area unless the ball or an attacking player is also there. In your judgment if a goal scoring opportunity was stopped by a defending player illegally in the goal box, you should award the attacking team an indirect kick at the Top of the Penalty Area Box.
In the U6 and higher divisions, coaches and spectators must stay on opposite sides of the field from each other during the match. Coaches or spectators should not stand behind the goal lines during the match. The home team (Blue) decides which side they will take; the away team (Gold) will take the other side.
There will be no direct kicks or penalty kicks in the U5, U6, and U8 divisions. Indirect kicks only from the point of the infraction. All Kick Offs, Goal Kicks & Corner Kicks are considered Indirect Kicks; therefore Goals will Not be awarded if the ball is kicked directly into the goal. The offside rule is not used in these divisions, and substitutions can be made during any stoppage in play. There is NO Slide Tackling allowed in these age groups! Even if no contact is made, play should be stopped and an indirect kick awarded.
For U-10 and higher including SFL the coach may request a substitution prior to their own throw in, before a goal kick by either team, after a goal is scored, or at half breaks. Plus if the taem throwing in the ball is substituting, the opposing team may also substitute. If a player must leave for injury, the referee should offer the opposing coach the opportunity for one substitution as well. Players, who are red-carded, must leave the match and not return and cannot be substituted for (the team must play one player short for the duration of the match).
Referees should wear an Official uniform on the field. All black shorts, official jersey, with 2007 patch, referee socks pulled up over the calves, and black shoes. If you must wear a jacket, I would ask that it be predominately black. All referees should have with them at all times a whistle, flags, a coin, red and yellow cards, and a watch with a time keeping feature. You should be at your field 15 minutes prior to the match start time. This will allow for all pre-match activities (Place Corner Flags; Inspect Field; Insure Teams & Spectators are on Opposite Sides of the Field; Player Equipment Inspection, Pre-Match Conference with Referee Team U-10 & Higher; Coin Toss; Etc.) If you referee the last match of the day on your field, it is your responsibility to returns the corner flags to the soccer shed. Report any Yellow or Red cards to Kevin Driscoll via email.
If you have a conflict with the schedule you have been assigned notify Kevin Driscoll as soon as possible.
VSA Referee Committee
Kevin Driscoll (VSA & SFL Assignor) Dave Milne (ODSL; NCSL & WAGS assignor)
703-754-4042 703-754-8489
kgdriscoll@comcast.net davidmilne@comcast.net
