SYSA Developmental Referee Program

(rev.Spring 2006)

 Referees are critical to any soccer program. The Salida Youth Soccer Association and all its coaches, parents and players need to work together to attract, train and retain an adequate number of youth and adult referees on the field.

The goal of the SYSA Developmental Referee Program is to provide qualified officials to referee Association games.   This goal shall be met by completing the following steps:

·         Training- USSF Grade 8 or 9 or SYSA “Club” with annual re-certification

·         Age and Experience appropriate game assignment

·         Positive feedback and counseling from league officials, coaches & parents

 General Team Referee Requirements.

• All U-6 and U-8 games are to have one referee.  A “shadow” referee can be added by Assignor for training purposes on a game-by-game basis.

• All U-10 games should use a two-referee system.   The level of competitiveness, introduction of offside rule & larger field size is tough for one youth referee to officiate properly.

• All U-13 games should use a three-referee diagonal system at minimum.  Using a 4^th Official would be optional.

Referee Fees.

SYSA pays its referees $6.00/game regardless of game level, experience or on-field assignment.  Payment is made immediately after their game at the ref check-in area.  Referees need to bring their completed game report for payment.

Age Requirement.

SYSA youth referees need to be age 10 or older before either Spring or Fall seasons begin, and to be approved by SYSA Board and Assignor.  Club referees will be primarily assigned as U-6 or U-8 officials or “shadows” with a more experienced referee.  USSF Certified referees will be primarily assigned to U-10 games or as AR’s in U-13 games. 

Referee Assignment.

• Referees will be assigned to games (using their prior experience and personal/team schedules as guidelines) no later then 1 week before the Spring or Fall Seasons begin, and will receive their schedule from the Assignor’s office by electronic or regular mail.  All “trade- offs” between referees must be approved by the Assignor at least 48 hours before the games. ( Emergencies and illness not withstanding)  Referees that are unable to work their games for a particular week or time are asked to call the Assignor as soon as they know.
• Referees that are also players are asked to make the commitment to their teams first and to officiating second.  An example is to refuse taking a game assignment at the same time their team is scheduled to play.

Game Reports.

Game Report Cards will be printed each week and will be available at the referee check-in area for referees to obtain before their game.  It is necessary that all age level reports be turned in to Assignor or whomever is working at the ref check-in area for a referee to be paid for their game.   While scores should be recorded for U-10 games and above, it is good training for the game reports to be filled out for all age level contests.