What if there is no referee?
By mutual agreement, the coaches may appoint a willing adult to referee the game. Do not appoint a 13-year-old child because the child plays soccer. It is unlikely the child will know the age specific rules and it is very unlikely that the child will have the skills needed to deal with unruly players. If no adult spectator is willing to referee the game, then each coach will referee one-half of the game.
Do we call offside?
Offside occurs when a player gains an unfair advantage by being closer to the opponent’s goal than the opponents. This concept of offside applies to every soccer game.
For U6 to U9/10 players, it means that no player should spend most of the playing time near the opponent’s goal waiting for a teammate to pass. Players in U6 to U9/10 should be moving to various field positions to actively move the ball toward the opponent’s goal. Coaches of U6 to U9/10 players that violate the concept of offside might be told of this unfair behavior and asked to encourage the offending player to increase active game play.
For U11/12 players, all technical parts of the offside rule apply and violations must be penalized to the best ability of the referee. A player is not penalized simply for being in an offside position. A player is penalized when the player gains an unfair advantage–usually this means the player kicks the ball–while in an offside position.
Do coaches need to control spectator’s behavior?
YES.
Where can spectators stand?
All spectators should be at least 6 feet from the side line and should never be behind the goal line.
Are games cancelled for weather conditions?
NO, unless lightning is observed near the playing field.
Can coaches talk to the referee?
YES, during halftime and after the game. Coaches and referees must be respectful.
What if a team is short players?
Both coaches should talk and decide on one of these alternatives.
a. Team missing players will play short.
b. Both teams will play with equal numbers of players.
c. Team missing players may add players as long as the players are registered in that age group.
d. Postpone game.
