GAME CLOCK -- GUIDANCE FOR REGION 34
Several referees have asked if there is any guidance from the region about how to run, or not run, the game clock. So we got together and developed the following guidance for referees on managing the timing of the game.
First off, it's generally a bad idea to stop your timing device at any break (except for halftime) since it's too easy to forget to restart it. But you can and should "add time" to compensate for the substitution break in certain divisions, as follows:
- U7 and U8 – add up to two minutes for the mid-half substitution break. The referee should stop for substitutes at the first natural stop in the game (goal kick, corner kick, foul or throw-in) after the nine and a half minute mark, which will stop a 20 minute half roughly in the middle. Let your timing device run and end the half (or game) at 20 minutes plus the approximate length of the break, up to two minutes. If the break goes longer, limit the time added to two minutes.
- U10 -- add up to two minutes for the mid-half substitution break. Call for substitutions at the first natural break after twelve minutes have elapsed (25 minute halves) and add time at the end for the length of the break, up to two minutes.
- U12 – add one minute for substitutes. Advise the coaches at the beginning of the game that breaks are one minute and taking any longer will cut into playing time. Stop at the first natual break after the 14 and a half minute mark.
- U14 – make no allowance for the break since timing is so tight between matches. This is typically referred to as a “running clock” and is often used in tournaments where matches are tightly scheduled one after the other. Stop at the first natural break after the 16 and a half minute mark. Since the clock is running, this will give you two 17 minute “quarters” with one minute for the break. Total time for the half is 35 minutes.
In all divisions, give a couple quick tweets on your whistle after about one minute has passed to get the players moving back onto the field.
Halftime should be 5-10 minutes long.
You may add time for long injury delays and when you feel that the team that’s ahead is deliberately delaying the game (must be deliberate and obvious). This second situation is fairly rare, but it does happen. And again, you can allow time more easily in lower divisions where there is more time between matches.
Remember, as the referee, you are solely responsible for the timing of the game.
Any questions, send an email to askaref34@yahoo.com.
REFEREE RESOURCES
At our last All Hands Meeting, we discussed two very useful referee resource booklets: USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game and AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches.
To find these online, go to: http://www.aysohelp.org/REFEREE_PUBLICATIONS.htm
The online version of "Advice to Referees" is a couple years old, so please be aware of the changes that have occurred since 2007. For example, certain slide tackles are now direct kick fouls and "getting the ball first" does not exempt a player from being called for a foul if there is subsequent contact with the player. The "AYSO Guidance" booklet contains AYSO's national guidelines. Here in Region 34, there are a few differences. In U7/U8, all kicks are indirect. And we use a different number of players in certain divisions than is recommended in the booklet.
We will try to make these publications more widely available to referees in hard copy. We'll post a notice here when they are available.
REFEREE MENTORING...
Are you interested in trying the Center ref position but hesitant to take the plunge and move off the touchline? Do you want to move up a division but you aren't totally comfortable that you can handle it? We can provide you a mentor to help you through that first game at Center or to shadow you during your first higher division game. Just send an email to "askaref34@yahoo.com".
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS??
Do you have a question on the laws of the game? Do you want an experienced referee's opinion on how you (or another ref) handled a certain situation on the field? Send an email to "askaref34@yahoo.com".
UPGRADE OPPORTUNITIES
Are you looking to referee in U-12, U-14 or higher? You need an upgrade certification. Intermediate referees can referee U-12 games and Advanced Referees can referee U-14 and even higher. Following is a list of upgrade referee courses being offered in our area. Register at www.eayso.com. If you have questions, send an email to Sam Kabanni, regional referee administrator, at r34ra@yahoo.com.
Here is the next upgrade opportunity:
Area 1-D Advanced Referee Class (must have an Intermediate badge)
Tues Nov 10, Thurs Nov 12, Tues Nov 17*, and Thurs Nov 19, 6:15 PM – 9:30 PM
Marine Park Recreation Room
1600 Marine Ave
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Course # 200902824
Please notify Sam Kabbani at r34ra@yahoo.com and go to www.eayso.com to register.
| Course Name |
Roster Number |
S/A/R |
City |
Start Date |
| Intermediate Referee Course |
200902820 |
1/D |
El Segundo |
10/6/2009 |
| Advanced Referee Course |
200902824 |
1/D |
El Segundo |
11/10/2009 |
| Advanced Referee Course |
200902823 |
1/D |
El Segundo |
1/12/2010 |
| Intermediate Referee Course |
200902822 |
1/D |
El Segundo |
2/9/2010 |
_____________________________________________________________
It is encouraged that teams in U10, U12 and U14 provide a qualified Referee or AR for the game prior to their own.
For these higher level games, referees already trained to the U8 or Assistant Referee level will be required to complete the Regional Referee Course in order to be considered qualified to referee.
For referees who have already completed at least the Regional Referee requirements, and have demonstrated experience, you will be able to referee in higher divisions this year. However you will be expected to actively work to upgrade your certification this year.
Here is a quick guide to the minimum training required for each division:
|
|
Minimum AYSO Referee Certification (required prior to season start)
|
|
U7 and U8
|
U8 Official – 4 hour class |
|
U10
|
Regional Referee – 8.25 hour class
OR prior completion of U8 training + Part 2 (Modules 7-13) of the
Regional Referee Class.
|
|
U12
|
Intermediate (Area) Referee
OR Regional Referee with waiver from Regional Referee Administrator,
Regional Referee Assessor, Regional Director of Referee Instruction
(candidates for upgrade this season will be granted waivers)
|
|
U14
|
Advanced (Section) Referee
OR Intermediate (Area) or Regional Referee, with waiver from Regional Referee Administrator, Regional Referee Assessor, Regional Director of
Referee Instruction
(candidates for upgrade this season will be granted waivers)
|
If you have any questions about your certification level or wish to "REF-UP" at the next level, contact
the r34ra@yahoo.com
To reach our goals, Region 34 offers the following referee training classes for new and returning AYSO referee volunteers.
Regional (Basic) Referee Course: trains volunteers in the basic aspects of refereeing needed to handle AYSO matches for U10 and U12 matches under FIFA Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations.
This is an 8 hours class.
It is highly recommended for all new volunteer referees (including those who will be handling only U7 & U8 this year).
Youth referees that are at least 12 years of age and intend to referee in Region 34 may take this class.
Intermediate Referee Course: Is the first step in becoming a seasoned referee who can handle competitive U12 games and support upper division games. A candidate must be a certfied Regional Referee with at least one year experience, must have refereed 25 games, five of them as CR for U12 games. In addition to the 8 hours course, the candidate is observed both as CR and as AR in at least two U12 games. Once you complete the course and written test, contact your Region's Director of Referee Assessment at
r34ra@yahoo.com. He will set up assessment games for you in order to complete your certification.
Region 34 needs your help.
We are an all volunteer organization that believes we are here to support our kids.
For those who don't have the time (or personality) to be a coach, we ask that you spend just a few hours over the next 4 months to show your player just how much you care about him or her!
Under-qualified or an insufficient number of referees is a regular source of complaints from players, coaches, parents, and referees so this year we are making some adjustments in the interest of making the game truly "FUN, SAFE, and FAIR".