⚽ Referee Reminders – October 2025

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Pregame Procedures – Field Inspection

No game can start without anchored goals. Anchors or sandbags are mandatory, no exceptions. Inspect the field before every match—even if it’s already been used. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before kickoff. If you’re delayed, let your crew know right away so someone else can handle inspection.

No Dual Officiating – State League

All State League games follow US Soccer guidance. Dual officiating is not allowed.

  • With two referees: one has the whistle, the other is AR.
  • A Club Linesman may assist only with in/out decisions.
  • They should not wear a referee jersey or be treated as certified.
  • If cash is paid at the field and a Club Linesman is used, the unused AR fee must be returned to the team or club. Crews cannot split that money.

Substitution Management – Youth Matches

Youth matches teach players the right way. Follow proper procedure:

  • Referee is informed.
  • Sub occurs at the proper opportunity.
  • Player leaving is identified and exits**.
  • Incoming player enters at halfway line.
  • Entry happens only after the other player leaves.
  • Managed by AR1 or Referee, whichever is closer.

**Note: The common accepted practice in youth matches is for the departing player to leave the field at the point closest to their own bench. This helps address safety concerns by preventing players from exiting through spectator areas or other parts of the field.

Use of the Whistle

Use the whistle when…

  • Start of halves and extra time
  • After a goal**
    • **If the goal line decision is not clear and obvious (i.e., when the AR sees the ball cross the line and raises his or her flag indicating the entire ball crossed the goal line inside the goal).
  • To stop play for fouls, penalties, suspensions, abandonments
  • End of each half
  • For restarts when ceremonial (free kicks, penalty kicks, cautions, injuries, substitutions)

Do NOT Use the Whistle:

  • For clear restarts (goal kicks, throw-ins, corner kicks, dropped ball)
  • For most free kicks unless ceremonial

Green Badges

Many of you have seen — and many more will see — green badges on some of our minor referees. These badges simply indicate that the referee wearing one is under the age of 18. This does not mean they have less training. They are just younger!

Please make sure to reinforce this to coaches who may not be familiar. It’s important that coaches and their staffs understand their role in supporting referee retention and creating a positive environment for these younger officials.

The New 8-Second Rule

Goalkeepers now have eight seconds to release the ball once they have clear control. Referees will give a public countdown for the final five seconds as both a signal and a warning. If the ball is still not released in time, the restart is a corner kick for the opposing team.

The countdown begins as soon as the goalkeeper clearly controls the ball and is able to restart play. For a simple save, that’s immediate. For a diving or difficult save, referees should delay the count until full control is obvious and the keeper isn’t being crowded.

Referees are expected to manage this proactively—communicate, give early signals, and use presence to prevent issues. Enforcement is important, but prevention is even better. The goal is to keep play flowing while applying the law fairly and consistently.