Practical Tips
Carry your whistle using a wrist lanyard rather than in your mouth.
Reason: Less chance of damage to your teeth or blowing the whistle too fast.
Use Velcro to attach your badge to your uniform. The soft side of the Velcro is sewn onto the shirt and the harder side is sewn on the badge.
Reason: When washing the shirt, the badge will not get destroyed. The badge can also be moved easily to a
second shirt.
Talk to each coach before the game to confirm playing rules such as how many substitutions will be allowed and when, the length of each half of play and whether extra time will be played in the case of a tie game.
Reason: Prevent disagreements later in the game.
Always check the field before the game, especially the goal area for dangerous objects such as broken glass.
Reason: Most games are played in open parks where people may not use the garbage containers provided.
Inspect the field, goal posts and nets a minimum of 30 minutes before the game. That will ensure any problems
can be corrected so the start of play is not delayed.
Carry a ball pressure gauge in your referee bag.
Reason: As you test the pressure in various balls offered for use in games, you will see many balls are not in good shape (panels ripped) and may have faulty valves which will lead to a loss of air during the game.
Before the game, ensure the parents and spectators setting up their lawn chairs, do so well back of the sidelines. It is easier to properly set up the first set of people who arrive than when everyone has set up their chairs. In order to do this, a referee must arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff.
Reason: Safety of the players, substitutes and coaching staff are important. Players need a minimum of six feet beyond the touchlines without any obstacles. If you establish where the chairs may be set up, the parents/spectators will enforce this stipulation for you so that any newcomers do not block their view of the game.
