Specific Pointers–Officiating 10U

Specific Pointers–Officiating 10U (CRs and ARs!)

Please refer to the specific 10U Division Guidelines for detailed info.
Laws of The Game–Referees and assistant referees should have a working knowledge of the LOTG. It is a powerful tool to be able to refer to The Laws of The Game, and it will only make it easier to “sell your call” when you sound like you know what you’re talking about! When you move up to the older divisions, it becomes increasingly important to stay abreast of the yearly changes to the LOTG as well.
Field Set-up–remind the coaches and parents (of both teams) if they are the first game of the day, that it is their responsibility to get the field set up (goals, nets, flags). Equipment found in storage shed.
Field Break-down--remind the coaches and parents (of both teams) before they all leave, if they are the last game of the day, that it is their responsibility to get the field taken down and equipment returned to the “sheds” (goals, nets, flags).
Combos for storage sheds–will be available from the Field and Safety Director at: fieldsafety@ayso20.org or your Team Manager (?)
10U–Field of Play and Players. It looks like a smaller soccer field with slight modifications—the “Build Out Line” https://www.ayso1ref.com/mp4/BOL-2019-v31.mp4 and we play a small-sided soccer game (7 v 7) with a few exceptions. It’s a lot like a real soccer game with a few BOL tweaks.
10U–Substitutions. Substitutions will occur at the substitution break midway through the 1^st half, during halftime, at the substitution break midway through the 2^nd half, and any time there is an injury. KEEP YOUR CLOCK RUNNING during these substitution breaks. We keep track of substitutes, goalkeepers, and scores on the Game Card (that Coaches will need to provide you with before the game), with their players listed in numerical jersey order. The AR’s hold on to the game card of the team whose sideline they are on. Keep them accurate and legible, making notations (goals scored, “X” , “G” , etc.) during the game and substitution breaks. After the game, the winning coach submits them to the Division Commissioner (by photos taken after the game, and submitted via phone). If a tie, have the HOME team coach do that.
“3/4 Rule” It’s not your job (CR or AR) to uphold the “3/4 rule,” it’s the Coach’s. Feel free to remind them, however, if you notice they have strayed from the path. If you get the feeling that a player is sitting out for half the game or more, make sure to remind the coach; it usually means someone is playing the whole game and that is not following the “3/4 rule.” Usually just a simple oversight???
10U–Injuries. At this age, these speeds, kids will go down with the occasional dinger. Err on the side of caution and stop play (blow whistle) immediately and check on the downed player. (First, take a quick peek at who has the ball when you stop play, so you know who gets the “Drop Ball” restart once you’ve tended to the injured player.) Maybe wave the coach on to the field to check on their player. Try not to have parents running onto the field unless it’s obviously a very serious injury, obviously. Restart with a Drop Ball, unless there was a foul and you are awarding a Free Kick for the offence.
10U–Fouls. These kids are trying hard. They want to win. They want to get the ball, or keep possession of the ball. But they can’t be unfair or unsafe about it. They sometimes make unfair/unsafe choices. In addition to poor strategic choices, accidents will happen. The movement and choices are a bit more “logical” and less random than 8U. So, it’s a little easier (than 8U) to see who did what, and thereby easier to identify and call fouls. You’ll want to blow the whistle with authority and confidence (but don’t break any ear drums), and stop play when you see a foul has been committed. Also, remember to use your voice (gently) and help them understand what they did wrong—you are still in a “teaching” mode at these ages. They are still learning the rules/laws, and hearing them from you in a kind and respectful tone will work wonders to gain their confidence and trust. Also, remember, there are spectators out there whose little baby just got blown up… keep communication visible and clear so it looks like you’re “educating” (not disciplining) the miscreant on making better choices.
Never come down hard on them verbally, or place a hand on the player, when making your point. You are a teacher, not a disciplinarian. Stay objective.
More on Fouls–Even if the physical contact is accidental (?), if it was unfair or unsafe contact it’s still a foul and needs to be called… You don’t have to make a big deal about it, just blow your whistle, use your words, let the miscreant know what not to do, point in the direction the free kick will be taken, and award the Direct Free Kick to the opponents. Let them set up for the free kick, get yourself into position, anticipating where the kick will be directed; maybe you’ll need to blow the whistle to allow them to take the kick, if you interjected yourself in the process (walked off the 8 yards for them), so they know it’s ok to take the kick.
10U–Common Fouls at 10U. Usually accidental/unintentional, but still a foul: trip, kick, handball, push/barging/impeding. You still have to call it even if it was an accident! Occasionally intentional: kicking, pushing, impeding, holding (pulling), tripping, handball. In EITHER case, if it feels unsafe or unfair to you, you need to blow the whistle (call the foul), point in the direction of the forthcoming free kick, and restart with a Direct Free Kick (‘direct’ because it can be kicked directly into the goal, plus it was a physical contact foul).
“Doubtful/Trifling”–not all physical contact is unfair or unsafe, so it shouldn’t always be called a foul, and there is a lot of contact in soccer! Hey parents: Soccer is a contact sport—don’t forget that! NOT all contact is an offence or a foul! Don’t call it unless you’re sure it was a foul or it was enough contact that exceeds trifling, and has become unfair or unsafe—these should be called every day.
Handball Offence–if intentional or deliberate, call it. These will be easy to recognize. At these ages, most handball offences are easy to spot; be looking for the “deliberate” attempt to bring the hand/arm towards the ball. If they have made themselves “unnaturally bigger” and touch the ball with their hand/arm, you have to call it. The penalty is a Direct Free Kick (and maybe a PK if a defender did it in their box). The area from the ‘bottom of the armpit’ to the fingertips is considered the anatomy of a potential handball.
Not a Handball Offence: If unintentional, if not deliberate, if they haven’t made themselves bigger, let it go (for the most part*). Let the game continue. Not a foul. Don’t stop play for unintentional handballs (for the most part*). To save yourself some sideline mumbling, announce loudly while making a ‘wave it off’ signal: “No handball offence, no foul, not deliberate, unintentional. Keep playing”
- You will frequently run into players, coaches, and spectators that think every time the ball touches a hand/arm, it’s a “handball!” NOT TRUE, per recent updates to The Laws Of The Game. These folks are obviously not up to date on the most current version of the LOTG. Back in the day it might have been a foul, but not anymore. Sorry.
But hey (for the most part*) if their arms are in an unnatural position, or above shoulder level, or have made themselves unnaturally bigger…. even if this positioning is accidental, you will probably still have to call it. They need to know that by having their hands in that position they are taking the risk of being penalized (for the most part*).
What is this “(for the most part*)” thing? In previous editions of the LOTG, wording like “…if the body position made sense for what they were doing at the time, not all contact with the hand/arm should be construed a foul.” This leaves a lot of subjective decision making for the referee, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. Just be consistent.
Not a Handball Offence: “protecting” themselves from an oncoming fast, close ball. Wave it away and say “no foul.” Now, if they had plenty of time and distance to get out of the way of the ball hitting their hand/arm, it’s on them. Award the free kick!
10U–Indirect Free Kick situations: these are the “less serious,” and non-contact, mechanics-of-the-game scenarios that are infrequent but important to spot and call at this age division. They need to learn these, and sometimes the hard way. Usually not game-changing decisions, but reliable officials need to know and apply them. At 10U we want to be able to see, spot, and differentiate between IFK and DFK offences. We’re in the big leagues now. At 10U we start to get stricter about Goalkeeper IFK transgressions like the dreaded “back-pass,” or when they release it from their possession and then pick it up again (or touch it with their hands — DOH!). You should also keep an eye out for technical offences during restarts, like “double touches.” Also keep an eye out for outfield players “playing in a dangerous manner” (but not making physical contact—like high kicks, or a player playing the ball while they are on the ground and while other players are nearby) which will earn an IFK for their opponents. We also award IFKs when a player heads the ball deliberately (no headers in 12U or younger), or if the goalkeeper punts the ball (no punting in 10U or younger)—these are USSF and Player Development Initiative rules at these ages, not “Laws of The Game.” IFK restarts are also used to penalize Offside Offences.
10U–Offside Offence. We call Offside Offences in this age division! The same Law and concepts apply as in “real” soccer, but in 10U we take into consideration the Build Out Line, which alters where on the field an attacker can be guilty of being in an Offside Position (OSP). Please refer to the BOL Video: https://www.ayso1ref.com/mp4/BOL-2019-v31.mp4
10U–Penalty Kicks. Penalty Area. If there is a contact foul in the Penalty Area, committed by a defender, we award a PK to the attacking team from the Penalty Mark. All players not participating in the kick (attackers and defenders) need to be outside the box, behind the Penalty Arc (the “D”), and behind the Penalty Mark. They may not advance until the ball is kicked and moves.
10U–Goal Kicks, Goal Area, and the Build Out Line. If you have a “goal kick” scenario, it can be taken from anywhere inside the Goal Area or on the GA lines (which constitute the area of which they define). We must uphold the Build Out Line rule during this restart: opponents must retreat behind the BOL until the goal kick is taken (the ball is in play–kicked and moves). Referees don’t have to, but I might suggest they, use their voice to remind opponents to back up to the BOL. I strongly suggest that ARs and CRs keep an eye out for possible encroachment by opponents...in which case the goal kick is retaken. Please refer to the BOL video at: https://www.ayso1ref.com/mp4/BOL-2019-v31.mp4
10U–Goalkeeper mistakes, Offences (IFK) We can and should start to penalize goalkeepers for making goalkeeper mistakes (usually punished by an IFK awarded to the opponents), but we may give some leeway at the beginning of the season. They may be brand new to the position and we can tighten things up after a game or two into the season. You’re still a teacher, so remind them verbally what to do (or not to do) and if they do it again in the same game? Busted.
10U–speaking of goalkeepers, please protect them. These are just kids, probably with no clue, probably begrudgingly being put into the goal against their better judgement. In the heat of the moment, opposing attackers don’t know when or why to back off, so use your words loud and clear and quickly. When the keeper has control of the ball, opponents may not challenge the keeper for the ball. Per the LOTG, “control” means the ball is between the hands, or between the hand and any surface… Attacking opponents are supposed to leave the goalkeeper alone when they have control of the ball (which technically means having as little contact as the ball being between the ground and their index finger). Attackers are likely to keep kicking away at the ball, and somebody is going to get hurt. So, when the keeper tries to get/stop the ball, be there in a hurry and instruct nearby attackers verbally to back off (“keepers got it!”) please, even if it means using your whistle to stop the feeding frenzy. (If you use the whistle, you are stopping play, so the correct thing to do would be a DFK restart if there was contact or an IFK if there was no contact.) When they get a little older, we’ll be more clinical in what is deemed “keeper has control of the ball.” Basically, if the keeper doesn’t have control, the attackers can be pretty aggressive (but not unfair or unsafe) in their attempts to score.
10U–Keeper Possession, and the Build Out Line. We must uphold the Build Out Line rule when the keeper has possession of the ball: opponents must retreat behind the BOL until the ball released by the goalkeeper. Referees don’t have to, but I might suggest they, use their voice to remind opponents to back up to the BOL. I strongly suggest that ARs and CRs keep an eye out for possible encroachment by opponents...in which case an IFK is awarded from the BOL. Please refer to the BOL video at: https://www.ayso1ref.com/mp4/BOL-2019-v31.mp4
10U–Throw-ins. Proper throw-ins are still remarkably lousy at this age. Please give them a little of margin for error, especially early in the season. Use your words and remind them to keep their feet down, etc. If it’s sort-of lousy, maybe allow them to play on. If it is really lousy, give your whistle a little toot and let them try again. If their second attempt is lousy again, then I’d award a TI to the opponents. We don’t want to be stopping play more than is absolutely necessary. Throw-ins are usually never game-changing situations, but they should start to get these figured out sooner than later. Sometimes tough love is effective. Remind the coach to work on them at their next practice, or check in with the players at half-time and remind them to “keep their feet down on those throw-ins.”
10U—Offside Offences. Build Out Line. You will have ARs, or you will BE an AR, and they/YOU should be getting comfortable with identifying when an attacker is in an offside position and then becomes involved in active play, and should be penalized. The flag is raised when that player “becomes involved in active play,” wait for it!!! Bingo! Offside is easy to call at these ages. They are either onside, or a mile offside. There’s nothing subtle about 10U offside offences. The Build Out Line rule is a slight modification to the Offside Law for this age group. Instead of the Halfway Line, the Build Out Line is used when determining where someone needs to be to be in an Offside Position. Again, review the BOL video at: https://www.ayso1ref.com/mp4/BOL-2019-v31.mp4
10U—Minimum Required Distance: On the following starts and restarts (KO, CK, GK, DFK, IFK) opponents must be eight (8) yards away. On TI’s, opponents must be at least two (2) yards away. On DB’s, all players (teammates or opponents) must be 4.5 yards away. Use your words and remind the players to back up on these situations.
Blow Outs–If the game is getting out of hand, remind the winning coach what the score is (subtly) and see if they cant take the kids’ foot off the gas a little bit. No one likes a blow-out.