Assignments and Availability.  The initial rush of assignments is upon us! This is an extremely busy time of year for referees and assignors. Please keep your availability information up to date. Don't wait until you receive assignments before you let the assignor know of conflicts. It is MUCH harder to fill in a vacated slot than to make the initial assignments with one less referee. If your schedule or enthusiasm differs from what you have submitted, update your availability. This can be done through our website at www.livermorerefs.org, by email to hintonref@home.com, by phone at 447-2031, or by mailing your calendar to our PO Box. Remember, you will not receive assignments unless you tell us you are available. We want to fully utilize every available referee to maximize the coverage of matches.  

July LRA Meeting.  Terry Broderick was our featured speaker at July's LRA meeting. Terry is a State Emeritus referee with more than 27 years and thousands of matches of experience. He reviewed the Memorandum 2000 changes to the LOTG, and provided some great insight on foul recognition with a presentation titled "He's Letting A Lot Go".  The most significant changes to the LOTG for you deal with AR responsibilities on penalty kicks, and removal of restrictions on number of steps which the GK may take in releasing the ball. Please study and apply these immediately in your matches. Terry noted that referees should learn when and where to expect fouls, then work to prevent them from occurring. Fouls commonly occur for the following reasons: intimidation, preventing a goal, trying to score a goal, retaliation, delaying an attack, and challenging for the ball. Most fouls occur during set pieces (especially corner kicks), when the ball is in the air, and just outside the penalty area. What can the referee do to help prevent fouls? BEING CLOSE to the areas where fouls might be expected, and USING YOUR VOICE to let players know you're on top of the situation. Other useful tips for foul recognition include:  … Go with your first impression - it's usually right. 

• Be consistent in your judgement - players expect and deserve the same calls for the same fouls. 

• Focus on the sequence of the incident - not just the final act. 

• Watch the attention of the player - you can read a lot from one's eyes. 

• Watch carefully the split second before contact - is the ball being played, or the player? 

• Listen! Words, grunts, growls, etc. convey meaning. 

• Remember that fair play is what the players accept as fair. A lot more contact is tolerated - and expected - in older competitive matches than at less competitive and younger levels.   

Don't Ignore These Symptoms!!!  As soccer season gets underway, many referees start crawling off the couch to play weekend warrior for the team that never wins. No matter what your fitness level, you need to be acutely aware of potential danger signs from your body - especially on hot days and when you're pushing yourself to do just one more match for the good of the game. The following information was excerpted from an article by Bill Stump, senior writer for Men's Health, in the June 99 edition of Runner's World. Here are a few symptoms you should not ignore!  Disorientation, nausea, or stop sweating during warm-weather matches - Heat illness is easier to prevent than treat: hydration, hydration, hydration!!! Drink lots of fluids throughout the days before your matches, 16 oz of sports drink or water before refereeing, another at halftime, another afterwards. If symptoms occur, STOP IMMEDIATELY, GET IN SHADE OR AIR CONDITIONING, AND DRINK FLUIDS. If they last more than a few minutes, get to an emergency room ASAP - call 911. Refereeing is NOT to die for! (Be watchful of these symptoms in players. It's OK to pause a match for water breaks to keep the kids safe.)  Pressure in the chest - fullness or tightness could be coronary heart disease or a heart attack. Such discomfort often radiates to the arms, neck, and jaw. Potentially very serious, even if not persistent. Stop. See a doctor.  Unusual fatigue - easily winded or undue exhaustion, especially for several outings in a row. May indicate any of several ailments, including heart problems, asthma, and chronic fatigue. Reduce your training by half, avoiding hard workouts. If it persists after a week, see a doctor.  Localized pain in legs - pain from sore muscles and shin splints is spread out. If localized at a point, it may be a stress fracture. See a doctor.

ARTICLES

The following is a memo from USSF that describes the rule changes for this year.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION 

AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME

1. Law 1 -- The Field of Play 

There shall be no advertising of any kind within the technical area or within one meter from the touchline and outside the field play on the ground. Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal line and the goal nets.

Reason:

This clarifies the situation regarding limiting possible advertising around the field of play.

2. Law 3 -- The Number of Players  New Text:

Other Matches:

In other matches, substitutes may be used provided that the teams concerned reach an agreement on a maximum number, and the referee is informed before the match.  If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the start of the match, no more than three substitutes are allowed.

Reason:

This new text gives teams flexibility in the number of substitutions permitted in friendly matches but the previous controls regarding teams reaching agreement on the numbers to be permitted and on the need for the referee to be informed before the match still remain.  USSF Advice to Referees: Consistent with existing USSF guidelines, referees on matches such as exhibition/friendly games should inquire as far ahead of time as possible regarding the exact number of permitted substitutions agreed to by both teams. Teams are strongly encouraged to determine this number as early as possible and to communicate the information no later than when the team rosters are given to the officials.

3. Law 3 -- The Number of Players New Decision 2:

The coach may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions. He and the other officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

4. Law 6 -- The Assistant Referees.  New Text:

Duties:

Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate: 

• When the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play

• Which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in

• When a player may be penalized for being in an offside position

• When a substitution is requested

• When misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee

• When offences have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area)

• Whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line

Assistance:

The assistant referees also assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game. In particular, they may enter the field of play to help control the 9.15 m distance.

Reason:

The duties of the assistant referee are now more clearly defined in the Laws of the Game and increase his responsibility. Assistant referees are expected to give assistance to the referee when they are in a better position to see the incident, especially for incidents inside the penalty area.

It is important to understand the specific distance from the offence is not the main criteria. The most important consideration is that the assistant referee has a better view of the incident. Assistant referees are also expected to indicate to the referee when the goalkeeper moves forward from his goal line at a penalty kick and the ball does not enter the goal. The nature of the signal to be given is to be determined by the officials in pre-match discussions. (Editors note: California North Referee Administration (CNRA) has adopted a mechanic for this signal. The mechanic is, prior to the Penalty Kick, the AR will hold the flag in the hand closest to the center of the field of play (this would be the left hand if a standard diagonal is being run by the referee). If the GK moves too soon and the ball does not go into the net, the AR will transfer the flag to other hand.)

At penalty kicks, assistant referees are also responsible for judging whether the ball has crossed the goal line.

USSF Advice to Referees: Standard procedures, as outlined in the Guide to Procedures, clearly assign initial responsibility to the assistant referee for judging goals, whether scored during play or as a result of a penalty kick.  Aside from this, there are three new concepts which IFAB has introduced in this change to Law 6: signaling offenses based on having a better view, signaling when the keeper has violated Law 14 by coming forward from the goal line before the ball is in play, and entering the field to assist with enforcing the required distance on free kicks and corner kicks. Referees should note the following guidelines regarding each of these concepts.  Signaling offenses based on having a better view. IFAB has made it clear that distance (nearness) is not the main issue. USSF continues to emphasize that the primary basis for the assistant referee having a better view is when the incident happens behind the referee's back, on the opposite side of the player from the referee, or when other players screen the referee's view.  Furthermore, assistant referees should refrain from signaling even when their view of an incident is better if, based on the referee's decisions observed so far, it is clear that the referee would not have stopped play for the action because it was doubtful or trifling or if stopping play would have given an advantage to the opposing team.  Signaling when the keeper has violated

5. Law 12 -- Fouls and Misconduct New Text:

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offences: Takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession

(Rest of text unchanged)

Reason:

This change means that time-wasting by the goalkeeper with the ball in his hands or arms is now measured in time rather than distance. The Law no longer limits the goalkeeper to taking four steps when he has control of the ball in his hands or arms. He is allowed to carry the ball for a maximum of six seconds but may take as many steps as he wished within this period.

USSF Advice to Referees: In removing the "four step rule" and now defining time-wasting solely in terms of time, IFAB has moved the Law even closer to the original reason for this limitation. Referees are reminded, however, that the time taken by the goalkeeper while gaining control of the ball is not counted, trivial infringements of this limitation should not be penalized, and the referee must not count the time verbally or with any visible action.

6. Law 12 -- Fouls and Misconduct New Text:

Sending-off offences no. 6:

Uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures 

Reason:

A player may now be sent off if, in the opinion of the referee, he is guilty of using language or gestures which are offensive or insulting or abusive. The referee must take into account the severity of the offence.  He continues to have the authority to decide whether, in his opinion, a player's unacceptable language or gestures are to be deemed a sending-off offence.

USSF Advice to Referees: USSF has long advised referees that the use of the term "language" in prior editions of the Laws of the Games was to be interpreted to include gestures. All verbal and nonverbal communication must be judged by the referee.

7. Kicks from the Penalty Mark New bullet points:

When a team finishes the match with a greater number of players than their opponents, they shall reduce their numbers to equate with that of their opponents and inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. The team captain has this responsibility.  Before the start of kicks from the penalty mark the referee shall ensure that only an equal number of players from each team remain within the center circle and they shall take the kicks.

Reason:

This arrangement for kicks from the penalty mark is applied at the end of play when one team has fewer players on the field of play than the other because of expulsion or injury and all eligible substitutes have been used.  The team with more players will be permitted to reduce their number of players to equate with the other team. This is to avert the situation where, all the players in the team with fewer players having taken their kicks, their strongest kicker would be advantaged by being matched against the weakest kicker of the team with more players.  The team captain is responsible for informing the referee of the name and number of the player(s) who will not take kicks from the penalty mark.

USSF Advice to Referees: The referee will be aware of such an imbalance of numbers and must take the initiative with the affected team captain to obtain the necessary information about who from that team will not participate in the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (and who must also therefore not be on the field during this activity).  Players who are off the field to correct illegal equipment or to care for bleeding or blood on the uniform are still considered players and may participate in kicks from the penalty mark, provided their return to the field follows the requirements of Law 3 (referee inspection and permission). Players off the field temporarily due to an injury may also return to the field, provided they have the referee's permission.  A player who is declared by the team captain to be injured and unable to participate in kicks from the penalty mark cannot be substituted, even if the team has a substitution remaining. In such a case, the team is considered to be reduced in size just as if a player had been sent off. The opposing team will reduce its size by a like number.  The referee must make every effort to complete any player inspections he is required to do under Law 3 in advance of beginning to take kicks from the penalty mark.

8. Fourth Official Amendments to bullet points:

The Fourth Official assists the referee at all times. He must indicate to the referee when the wrong player is cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution or when violent conduct occurs out of the view of the referee and assistant referees. The referee, however, retains the authority to decide on all points connected with play.

Reason:

The new text increases the authority of the Fourth Official and allows him to take action in situations not concerned with actual play.

9. Other Actions Furthermore, the International F. A. Board expressed its concern at the widespread failure of referees to apply the Laws of the Game when a penalty kick is being taken. Referees must be prepared to take action against a player(s) entering the penalty area before a penalty kick is taken. According to the Laws of the Game it is not necessary to caution a player guilty of this offence but the referee must be prepared to order the kick to be re-taken in appropriate circumstances.  USSF Advice to Referees: Although not expressly included in the above admonition, IFAB presumably meant to include other similar violations of Law 14 (e.g., entering the penalty arc or moving closer than twelve yards toward the goal line). Referees are reminded that retaking the penalty kick is not automatically a remedy for violating Law 14 (see the chart in Advice to Referees 14.9) and that only violations which are neither doubtful nor trifling require any action by the referee.