Game Day Preparation

1. Game Day - confirm schedule and game status. Double check league rules.

2. Arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to game time looking professional.

3. Arrive in uniform. If wearing a shirt under your uniform, it must be black. Referees may arrive in a black shirt and dress in their uniform at field. Socks must be pulled up.

4. Bring water. Consider bringing snacks for multiple game assignments.

5. Black hats (no insignia unless USSF) are allowed. Prescription glasses only – no sunglasses.

6. No jewelry is permitted (exception: wedding rings and medical bracelets – but must be taped down).

7. Check weather for any possible weather-related delays.

8. Download or bring the Laws of the Game. The IFAB Laws of the Game is available through the App Store or Google Play for free.

Pre-game

1. Referee/AR Self-Check: All jewelry off, badge on jersey, jersey zipped up and tucked in, socks pulled up, watch, referee wallet with paper, pen, whistle, coin, flags.

2. Conduct a briefing with the referee crew.

3. At 10-15 minutes prior to kickoff, walk field for player safety issues and check nets/flags. Goals must be anchored. If they are not, ask for them to be anchored or you cannot play.

4. Each team will provide you with a paper roster. Check the information on the roster against the player pass. Player passes can be a physical pass or a digital pass on the coach’s or administrator’s phone.

5. Check player equipment: shin guards, no jewelry, and check any casts.

6. If there is not a single coach or team manager with a valid pass, then the match is a "no contest" and report such to the league in the game report.

7. At 3-5 minutes prior to kick off, perform the coin toss (with coin or flip coin) with the captains. (Away team calls the toss.) The team winning the toss gets to pick either to kick off or which goal to defend.

8. Kickoff on time. You can allow a 15-minute grace period for no show team.

9. If a team is a no show, the referee should declare a 'no contest' and report such to the league in the game report. The League will determine if game should be rescheduled.

On-Field

1. Perform role assigned: center or assistant referee.

2. Focus on field positioning for center and/or assistant referee.

3. Emphasize communication between center and ARs (ARs should back up time and score).

4. Use correct mechanics. For ARs, the flag should be in the hand closest to the referee.

5. Conduct a halftime and post-game debrief.

Post-Game

Stack Officials Reports
1. File game report within 24 hours on Stack Officials (include score, information relating to coaches, spectators, players, field conditions, teams not reporting to game, etc.).

2. Make sure the Game Report in Stack Officials lists any issues with rosters, player passes, cautions and ejections.

3. The Game Report also allows you to enter any information concerning coach, player, or parents misconduct toward game officials. Make sure to describe any incident that takes place so we can follow up.