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Referee FAQ

Question: Throw-ins?
Answer: At U4/U5/U6, we do not call throw in errors. At U7/U8 we give them a second chance and tell them why , at U9/U10 we give them one chance, same as the U11 and above teams.

Question: Slide tackling?
Answer: Slide tackling is NOT allowed in PAYSL DIV IV ( U5/U8) at all. Correctly or incorrectly done it is a no no and will not be allowed. Even going to one knee and sticking out the other foot is considered slide tackling and will not be allowed. If you have this occur at the U5 - U8 age group, you tell the player to stay on their feet. If they do it again, stop the game at an appropriate time and ask the coach to remove the offending player and explain it to them. If they re-enter the game and repeat it again, remove them yourself, to the coach, and do not let them back into the game. Even if this is done with no other player around at the time it is dangerous and NOT allowed. Please enforce this rule across the board and stick to it.

Question: Game lengths?
Answer: Game lengths

U04 -8 minute quarters with a 2 minute break between quarters

U05/U06 2 - 20 minute halves
U07/U08, 2 - 25 minute halves
U09/U10, 2 - 25 minute halves
U11/U12, 2 - 30 minute halves
U13/U14, 2 - 35 minute halves
U15/U16, 2 - 40 minute halves
U17/U18, 2 - 45 minute halves

Question: When should I show up to games?
Answer: This one I have gone over before but I will again, be prepared, be on time and be professional. Show up at least 30 minutes before game time with a watch, whistle, yellow and red cards, pen and proper uniform. Again, you are being paid to provide a service to the kids and parents of this league. If you cannot provide that service in a professional manner, we will weed through you and use only those who want to earn their pay. If you have any problems, let me know.

Question: Game cards?
Answer: FILL OUT GAME CARD COMPLETELY!!
Including date, time and field, score, field condition and referees first and last name.

Question: Where and when do I turn in the game card?
Answer: Turn in all game cards at the Ref Shed. If I have no game cards, information is incomplete and you may not get paid for that game.

Question: Direct kicks for U5 through U8?
Answer: THERE ARE NO DIRECT KICKS FOR U5 THROUGH U8.
With no direct kicks, there can not be any PENALTY KICKS.
DO NOT AWARD A PENALTY KICK AT U5, U6, U7 OR U8 .
All fouls result in an indirect kick from the spot of the foul. There is no penalty mark or goal area marked on the field so do not make something up.

Question: What Should I do at a U5/U6/U7/U8 Game ?

Answer: At the younger games, U5 thru U8, referees need to be vocal, "LOUD" and teaching. Tell the players it is a goal kick and then show them where to put the ball and which team is kicking it. Same for throw-ins and corners. Dont let the game become an uncontrolled pile of kids chasing each other and the ball and coaches and parents going wild because their kids are not playing correctly. Take charge and teach. If a coach has a problem with you teaching their kids, tell them it is what you are supposed to do at this age and they can address it with me. Most of them will welcome it. Use the whistle and be loud. Remember, you have to be heard over the kids and the parents so get their attention with the whistle and then tell them what they need to know. "Red throw-in", "Blue goal kick", Green corner kick, that sort of thing.

Keep it fun but as a referee, you must read the rules.
They can be found in the Referee's Area of our website at www.paysl.org.
Click on the referee link and scroll to the bottom and click on the different rules for U6 and U8 and U10.
U5 is the same as U6.
U7 is the same as U8 and U9 is the same as U10.