Announcements

Recertification Time

Referees, you should have received a recertification reminder card from US Soccer. It basically tells you to log-on to www.massref.net to sign-up for a recert class.

If you have a referee badge that has 2010 on it (if certified thuis past summer) then you are not required to attend recertification class, but you are definitely invited to attend this free class. The fee paid at the end of the class is the recert fee.

If you have any questions please contact Ed Wolf at parenttaxi@msn.com

Become a Referee

Interested in becoming a certified soccer referee?  We are always looking for new referees to join the ranks.  And, its not just for young people. 

If interested, please check out the MassRef website (see our links page), or contact our Referee Assignor, Ed Wolf.

Pay Procedures

To collect payment:

• Paper game tickets are to be completely filled out and signed
• Send completed forms to:
  • Jamie Deppe at 12 Gannett Way, Hopedale, MA 01747 for payment.
• Remember to keep your copy.

Referee pay rate for the Fall 2009 Season is as follows:

Age Changes for Referees:

Remember, that referee grades are set by FIFA, and have nothing to do with school grade- Grade 9 is Blue patch, used for recreational (In-Town) games and some AR for travel. Grade 8 is the entry-level for most non-youth referees.  Grade 1 is able to do Center for a World Cup game.  

There has been an increase in the minimum age for Grade 9 and grad 8 referees. Grade 9 had been 11 y/o (now 12 y/o) and grade 8 was 15 year old (now 16 y/o) and the grade 8 bridge, from grade 9 to Grade 8 counting years of referee experience plus years of age was 15, and is now 16.  

The reason for the change is that the younger referees have been having a rough time of it and are disproportionately leaving the referee ranks.  It is hoped that the increase in age is an attempt to remedy this.  Also, there is a possibility the minimum age may be increased again in the future, although no one knows for sure.

We apologize if this has caused any problems.  Massref has been asked to increase their communication with the assignors about this stuff - hopefully they will.  

If you are a parent who was considering taking the class with your child, and they cannot because of age, I ask you to take the Grade 8 course this summer.  It will allow you to mentor your child with more experience, and will provide a level of modeling that is invaluable to your youth referee.  

If you hace further questions please contact: Ed Wolf

Attention!! Newly Certified Referees:

If you are a newly certified USSF Referee, please contact Mr. Wolf as soon as you complete your class. This will get you on the available referee lists and provide you the latest information concerning referee news for Milford-Hopedale Youth Soccer. 

You can then be scheduled with other referees.  To start, your first assignments will likely be with a referee team, to help you get experience, especially as an AR.  Please remember that the pay is higher for travel games, and we usually have more assignments available.

Any questions, please contact me, Edward Wolf Parenttaxi@msn.com, as soon as possible.

General Information and Reminders

Appropriate Referee Uniforms Required

Correct uniform attire is required to be worn for each assignment. This goes for officiating 6v6 travel and intown games, Referee and Assistant Referees (AR) for 8v8 and 11v11. Please note that improperly attired ARs run the risk of being dismissed from the game by the Referee.  

Remember that uniform includes: the gold shirt (long or short sleeved), badge, black shorts, and black socks with 3 white stripes. Appearance does reflect on all of us.

Changes and Reminders Intown/Travel Games

Games should START AT ASSIGNED TIMES. Please try to keep to assigned start times for games. Late starts effect the schedule for the rest of the day. Referees control the game clock, try be aware and keep the game to within the timeslot assigned.

Field Inspections

A reminder to all referees that part of our job is to inspect the field prior to the start of each game. This can be done while players are warming up. Please pay particular attention to the nets and make sure they are anchored down securely. If they aren't, inform the coaches that they need to take care of this before the game can start. This is an important safety issue for all players on the field.

Player Inspections

NO JEWELRY of any kind is to allowed on any field players and substitutes. Taping of pierced ear is not allowable, the danger is still present. Medic Alert bracelets can be taped over.

CASTS - NO PLAYER WEARING A HARD CAST WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY. Players with braces that have exposed metal parts will also not be allowed to play. Soft padded splints and other braces may be allowed provided there is sufficient covering and padding to protect other players.

Final decision is up to the Referee to allow.

Folks, these are important player safety issues and need to be enforced.

Game Times and Ball Size

Times:

• U-8 Intown games are played in 4 quarters, each quarter being 10 minutes long. After 2 quarters, a 5 minute halftime is allowed. Total time: 45 minutes.

• U-10 Intown games are played in 2 halves, each half being 20 minutes long. A 5 minute halftime is allowed. Total time: 45 minutes.

• U-10, U11, U12 Travel games are played in 2 halves, each half being 30 minutes with a 5 minute halftime.

• U-14 Travel games are played in 2 halves, each half being 35 minutes with a 5 minute halftime.

Ball:

• U-10 through U-12 use a #4 Soccer ball, home team responsible for providing, inspect for condition and proper inflation.

• U-14 and above use a #5 Soccer ball, home team responsible for providing, inspect for condition and proper inflation.

Player Substitutions

Player substitutions can be made by both teams on either side's Goal Kick. Player substitutions can also be done on either side's Throw-in as long as the Throw-in team makes a substitution and players are ready. If the Throw-in team does not make a substitution, then the other team cannot. As per the Laws Of The Game, allowing a substitution is at the discretion of the Referee.

Halfway Kicks

For all small-sided games (6 v 6), the Goalkeeper cannot place the ball over halfway line of the field in the air from a Goal kicks, Throw, Punt. or Drop kicks. If the ball goes over halfway under these circumstances, play is stopped and re-started with the ball place at halfway with an Indirect Freekick for the opposing team.

Coaching Behind The Goals

This is not allowed by anyone, team coaches or parents. Noone should be standing behind the goals, teams, coaches, parents and spectators should be on the sidelines. If you notice someone behind the goal, you should gently remind them that they do not belong there. If this does not resolve the situation, stop the game (but keep the clock running) and bring it to the attention of the appropriate coach for them to resolve. You have the ability to keep stopping the game until this is resolved. Keep the game clock running as the game should run in its assigned timeslot. Coaches have been informed of this situation.

Travel Referees

Non-Availability Sheets

If you not already done so, please make sure you complete and return your "Non-Availability" sheets and return to Wr. Wolf as soon as possible.

BAYS Referee Registration

There is the ability to load 2 e-mail addresses in the BAYS registration page.  Please note that 2 e-mail addresses are required for all referees under the age of 18 (my understanding is that 1 will be for the youth, 1 for the parent, but you could put 2 parent's email addresses if you like). Initially there was only room for 1 e-mail address, and they made this change so parent's could receive information also.

If you do not get a response from Bays within 48 hours of applying to Milford-Hopedale a referee, contact me and we'll work on the problem.

Mailbox

There is a referee mailbox at Mr. Wolf’s home at 18 Whip-O-Will Lane, Milford. This is a white mailbox next to the garage door.  This is where you pick up your game tickets (tix) for Travel AR’s (except U16 ARs).

Intown Referees

Referee Mentorship - Referees

(section to be updated)

Ed Wolf

Certified Referee Assignor

Certified Referee

MHYSA

7v7 Play, Intown Only

Some Intown teams have a lot of players. It is always an option to allow coaches to decide if they wish to play 7v7 (6 field players and a goal keeper) instead of the traditional 6v6 (5 field players and a goal keeper).

This is a decision that both coaches need to agree with before the game starts. This is not a referee decision. 6v6 match rules apply.

Zero Tolerance

Report Problems:

Remember, you are the Referee. You make the calls. Our leagues, MHYSA and BAYS, promote and support the Zero Tolerance Policy.  This policy means you should not take any abuse.  If anyone if unfamiliar with this policy, please check out the Zero Tolerance Policy link at the top of this page.

If something happens during the game, be it from a player, a coach or a parent, you should report this to your Referee Assignor and also please contact Paul Braza, MHYSA President.  Please be specific.