General Tournament Instructions

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Screenshot or print out a copy of your schedule from Arbiter with the other referee’s contact information, just in case you need to contact one another.

• Please arrive at your venue at the required time. Larger venues like the Great Park and Silverlakes will require an earlier Referee check-in.
• Check-in with the Tournament Staff and make sure you know your administrative responsibilities (Player Check-in, Game Durations, Substitutions, Small-sided game modifications, Heading Policy, Game Cards, ID Cards, Misconduct Reporting, etc.).
• Misconduct - find out if you are to pull player cards for player, coach, or team official send-offs.
• Obtain Game Cards and find out what is needed.
• Make sure the players are checked-in at least 15 min before kickoff.
• Confirm the game duration. If you have knockout round games make sure you know how to determine the winner (OT or KFM).
• Substitution - confirm with the Tournament Coordinator.
• Kickoff - check the rules 

OFFICIAL SCHEDULE AND RULES:

• Check the specific tournament page for the Official Schedules and Rules
• Tournament schedules almost always change from the time we receive them to game day. Teams and divisions may change as well.
• Know the game duration for each age division you are refereeing.
• Know the substitution rules for the tournament.

GAMES CAN BE CANCELED OR RESCHEDULED.
It is the Referee's responsibility to check the official tournament schedule (NOT Arbiter) before heading out to the game.

REIMBURSEMENTS WILL ONLY BE GIVEN FOR GAME DAY FORFEITS
Complete a NOCRA Incident Report if you receive a forfeit.


PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Current USSF Badge.
• Referee Uniforms: NO OLD OR FADED JERSEYS, SHORTS, SOCKS OR SHOES.
  • Current Jerseys gold and green are a must; third option is red or blue.
  • Color of the Referee Jersey should be different than the teams and goalkeepers.
  • Two-striped socks and BLACK footwear.
  • Hats - US Soccer, CalSouth, NOCRA or Black (no other logos are permitted.
• Know the Concussion & Safety Policies.

• Affiliations with teams - notify your assignor if you have any affiliations with teams you will be refereeing.

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REFEREE FEES:

• YOU WILL NOT BE PAID ON THE FIELD FOR CLUB TOURNAMENTS.
• Once all the changes from the weekend have been made and we receive payment from the tournament we will issue payments to those with an ArbiterPay account. For those without an ArbiterPay account, checks will be mailed or available for pickup at our Monthly Meeting. 
• If you would like to open an Arbiter Pay account go to the NOCRA Finance Page to set up your account and instructions.
• If you have not paid your NOCRA membership fees they will be deducted from tournament pay.
• It is highly suggested that you arrange carpools for the far away venues. Contact info can be found in Arbiter.

PREGAME:

• When you ARRIVE check the fields, goals, anchors and nets. Any problems notify the field marshal or tournament staff. 

Referee Pregame is important:

• Please do not take your eye off the penalty area when the ball or an opponent is present.
• Injury procedure is important, make sure you know it.  Refer to the Guide to Procedures.
• Know your AR responsibilities.
• Make sure you go over the substitution procedure. ARs should acknowledge when the substitution is complete.
• For U10 matches talk about throw-ins, injuries, and sideline behavior.
• For Olders talk about fouls, especially persistent and misconduct.
• Game duration and determining the winner in a knockout round game.
• Arbiter Sport/Level "-SE" or "-G" represent a Knock-Out round game. Check the schedule to be sure.
• For FINALS do a championship walk on with the players.  

Pregame with Coach and Team Manager:

• Say hi, smile, and handshake.
• Reinforce Safety - if I observe contact to the head or neck I will ask you to come on the field, please do so. Player Safety is the most important responsibility we have in youth matches.
• Go over any administrative responsibilities (Game Card, ID Cards, etc.)
• Go over substitution procedure.
• Acknowledge that they may not like all our calls, but to please be respectful of them.
• Home team - ask for three properly inflated soccer balls. Make sure they are the correct size, inflated, and are not damaged in a way that may injure the players.

Pregame with Players:

• Safety check - Make sure the players are wearing shinguards and no jewelry.  
• Based on the age of the players inform them what is most important to you. Inform the players to play my whistle and the ball.

Pregame with Captains - if rules require a coin flip and time permits:

• Please introduce yourselves.
  
• Ask the Away Team to check the soccer balls.
  
• U12 and below do the coin flip or let them know who is kicking off and what direction.
  
• U13 and above, go over Player Safety, especially any contact to the head or neck.

HALF-TIME:
Ask questions.

• Did we miss anything?
  
• Who do we need to keep an eye on?
  
• How is the behavior of the coaches and spectators?
  
• Have ARs share information.

POST GAME:

• At the conclusion of the game: Complete the Tournament Game Card with the score, goals, misconducts, injuries, situations, etc.
  
• Confirm the score and any misconducts with your crew.
  
• If you have a misconduct and unsure what to do, read the rules, NOCRA tournament page or contact the referee coordinator.

Be professional, have fun, drink water, enjoy the games. And most importantly manage your sidelines politely and respectfully. Remember our round table discussions "Please Coach _______," Please," and "Thank You."
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MISCONDUCT:
1.  On the Tournament Game Card report any injuries or misconduct (yellow cards, red card send-offs, Coach or Team official send offs).
2.  Player Send-offs, Coach Expulsions, Spectator unsporting behavior must be reported to the NOCRA Vice President and Referee Coordinator. 
3.  For Violent Conduct, Referee Abuse, or Assault pull the Player, Coach or Team Official ID Card.
4.  Complete a NOCRA Misconduct Report within 24 hours.