Click here to return to referee page
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTRAMURAL REFEREES: FALL 2007
This notice contains important information referees will need in order to do their part in helping the assigning, reffing, and payment processes go as smoothly as possible. Please read it, keep it, and refer to it as needed
Assignment process: Please check the Referee section of the NGS website (newtongirlssoccer.org) and download a print a small supply of game forms for yourself to have on hand. You can expect a phone call from your assignor early in the week (but not every week!) to check on your availability for the coming weekend. Once you have been given an assignment you should fill out the game form(s) with the appropriate information. You can feel free to stick your own address labels over the name and address lines. If you are unable to keep an assignment, your first move should be to try to find another ref you know to do the game(s) for you, giving all necessary information. If this fails, then contact the assignor to let him or her know what’s going on.
This process is so our volunteer assignors will not have to fill out and mail dozens of forms themselves. You as referees will fill out your own forms, so please get all the information you need when you are on the phone with the assignor, to avoid confusion and extra phone calls. If you have a question related to the assignment itself, call:
For grade 2: Alison Klein (617-527-6683) (note: 4 10-minute quarters)
For grade 3: David
Michael (617-796-7796) (note: 4 12-minute quarters)
Games for grades 2 and 3 are in the 12-4PM range Saturday afternoons.
Bring the form(s) to the game(s) with you and have the home (orange team) coach sign it in the appropriate space. Mail completed, signed forms to the address on the bottom of the form
The game itself: I will not conduct a written referee clinic here, but will just highlight some important points:
Safety first, starting with proper check-in and not allowing girls to play with jewelry of any kind, hard casts or exposed metal, etc. No excuses, written or otherwise, are allowed. You need only say: “These are the rules.” By the same token, you should stop a game if there is any concern about an injury, especially with a younger player. Err on the side of caution!
Fouls must be called! The biggest problem we see is referees failing to call clear fouls - fouls that jeopardize the safety and enjoyment of the players and that lower the confidence that players, coaches, and spectators have in us. This does not mean that all contact is a foul, every collision is a foul, every time a girl goes down is a foul; but too often, whether from lack of confidence or whatever, we see blatant pushes, trips, etc. go uncalled. Remember that we don’t read players’ minds about what they ‘meant’ to do, we judge actions and their consequences.
Handling is only to be called when the ref judges it is deliberate. You have to ignore the yells of “handball!” from the sidelines at all the ‘ball hits hand’ contact. If the players stop, tell them “that’s not a foul – keep playing!” By the same token, when the hand does reach out to play the ball, blow the whistle for the foul - that’s how players learn.
Educate! Most players and parents, and many coaches, do not know the rules! Take opportunities for explaining and teaching, especially at the young ages! Use your voice, not just your whistle, to communicate. Help the girls learn what is allowed and what isn’t. Say, for example, “a goal kick has to cross this line before anyone can play it. That one didn’t, so kick it again.” Or say, “You’re not allowed to grab a player like that. That’s a free kick for the other team.” When you do use the whistle, be sure it’s loud and clear, so play stops.
Other stuff: If you need to report a problem coach or other situation, or have any question about reffing itself, please call me at 617 332-7908 or e-mail me at Jeff Brenner You can also reach Michael Stoller at 617 244-1713 or at Michael Stoller. You will only get better by asking questions. Our committee hopes to get around to as many fields as possible and to observe and mentor refs whenever possible.
In case of questions about field conditions, call the fields hot line at 617 928-6061. This is where news will appear first - not with the assignor or me. Please check the Ref section of the NGS website (newtongirlssoccer.org) for rules and other information.
Assignors try to make assignments as fairly and equitably as possible, but can’t promise this. Refs who offer lots of availability usually get more work. Refs who cancel out or don’t show up may get fewer calls. Refs who tell the assignor they’ll call them back later and don’t call back may get fewer calls. Contact Ioannis if you need to make changes in your availability.
Best of luck, and let’s all work together to make it a successful season!
Jeff Brenner, for the NGS Referee Committee
Click here to return to referee page