WSA Modified Laws of the Game LOTG For

WSA Modified Laws of the Game (LOTG) For all WSA Recreational players, coaches and Jr. Referees

Law I: Field of Play rectangular • The field of play is to be what shape? ADUHHHHHH!

• The lines are part of the areas they describe. 3 2 Penalty Area 1 • Lines should not exceed 5 inches in width.

• SAFETY is key when inspecting the field. Always inspect the field for potential hazards prior to game time

What else Goal to inspect… The

Most important aspect of the goal: It must be weighted down

Field area and Markings • Identify the following markings, areas and lines: Penalty area Goal Area Corner Arcs Center Goal Lines Circle or end lines Sidelines or touchline Goal Area Penalty area Goal

Law II: The Ball

• The ball is to be spherical, properly inflated, and the proper size. • The referee approves the ball before the start of the game. Size of Ball for U 8 (2 nd grade) = 3

Law III - Number of Players

FIFA Law • A soccer match is played with two teams, each consisting of no more than 11 players one of whom is a… goal keeper • A minimum number of 7 players is required for a team to play a game.

WSA rule modification • The following # of players are in the rule modifications for younger ages; it still includes the : • Number of players for U 8 (2 nd grade)= 7 v 7 (no less than 5)

What to do if there’s not enough players on one side? ? • “coach, can this team borrow one of your players so that we can have a match? ”

Substitutions Substitution procedures according to WSA Rule Modifications: The substitution REQUEST is made by The coach whom? During ANY When can a Coach request a Stoppage Substitution? In play

Substitution procedure continued: According to FIFA: A substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee. WSA Rule Modifications: Typically subs will start coming on the pitch as players are coming off. This is mostly due to the lack of stoppage time that can be added. Try to have the players exiting and entering the field quickly WITH YOUR PERMISSION.

Substitutions; continued v Where does the substitute enter the field of play? v What should the coach be told about Even when subbing out the goalie with match? substitutions prior to the line a current player Halfway on the field, the refereeabout must be told and give v. What switching out the permission to do so. All subs must stand at the halfway line and await permission from the referee Before entering the field

Law IV - Players' Equipment

Players equipment consists of: • Jersey

• Shorts

• Socks

• Cleats/shoes

• Shin guards

Socks MUST be covering what? • Shin guards

Who needs to wear a shirt or pinnie that distinguishes him from the other players? • The Goal keeper

What must be removed prior to the match? • jewelry

Equipment Inspection: what’s first?

Equipment Inspection; what’s next?

Law V – The Referee

WSA Referee responsibilities: • Enforce the laws of the game. • Promote/insure safety • Educate and instruct • Create a fun playing environment

Other Referee responsibilities Minimize the risk of being struck: Lightening Protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly. When you see lightning, count (1)No place outside is safe near thunderstorms the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or If you can'tto see“call” the lightning, just hearing When (2) The best shelter is a large, fully enclosed, substantially less, seek proper shelter. the thunder is a good back-up rule. constructed building. Aavehicle solid roof and game… Hearing thunder with meansayou are metal within reach of lightning metal sides is a reasonable second choice. If there is not • Apply the 30 -30 rule: proper shelter, avoid Higher elevations; wide open areas, including fields and tall isolated objects.

The referee continued • Any incident that occurs during a match falling outside of the norm should be reported. • How does a referee report injuries or inappropriate behavior of a player/coach? A referee report

The Referee’s favorite tool v Referees are reminded that the whistle is a tool of communication and not merely a convenient signaling device. v Whistles should be selected carefully for the match conditions, age of players and other factors. v It is neither required nor expected that the whistle be used for all stoppages and restarts of play. A whistle demands attention and should be blown when such attention is needed. v Uncontested stoppages (as when a ball clearly leaves the field) should not be whistled — a voice and/or hand signal by the referee will normally be sufficient. v Referees should also be alert to the need for variations in the length, force and tone in their use of a whistle to indicate different types of stoppages or different degrees of concern for the event that has just occurred.

Law VI - Assistant Referee. Job responsibilities of the AR or linesman: To indicate when the ball is out of play and which side gets the throw-in To call offside To indicate a foul has been committed when out of sight of the center referee

Assistant hand signals

Law VII - Duration of the Game

WSA Jr. Referee Match Times • U 8 (2 nd grade): 4 10 -minute quarters, totaling 40 minutes

Half time and Quarters How much time should a Jr. Referee allow in between About 5 minutes (longer in hot weather). quarters? Remember… you need to stay on schedule About 2 minutes: enough time For the players to get a drink. Indicate thisshould by saying How much time a Jr. “ 2 minutes coach” Referee allow in between halves?

Keeping Time • When should a referee start his watch; according to FIFA Once the ball is kicked and moves forward during the kick-off

WSA Match Duration • When should a Jr. Referee start his/her watch ? Once the referee Blows his/her Whistle… LOUDLY

Law VIII - Start of Play • The Kick Off

Kick-off According to FIFA Once the kick-off team is determined, where should the two teams be positioned

Where does the defending team Stand prior to kick-off? defense defender Offense defender Where does the attacking team Stand prior to kick-off?

Kick-off Procedure • At what point can the defenders come in to the Center Circle Once the ball is kicked and moves forward

Law IX - Ball In and Out of Bounds • The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goalline or touch-line, whether on the ground or in the air Field of play

On a throw-in: • On a throw-in, if any part of the ball passes over the touchline, the ball is in play In this case, the whole ball does not need to cross the touch-line completely

Law X - Method of Scoring

Method of Scoring When the whole ball crosses the goal line between the uprights and underneath the crossbar of the goal.

GOOOOAAAAAAAL? ? ? Inside The Goal line, in Between the Cross bars Field

Law XI - Off-Side

To be in an offside position: • A player is standing behind the second to last defender at the moment the ball is kicked by a teammate. Who is typically The the Goalkeeper last defender? ?

Identify the player in the offside position: Goal Blue players are defending

Offside-continued • The Trickiest Law Despite the fact that it is a short Law, offside can cause a great deal of trouble and confusion.

Why is offside so controversial? • Coaches and referees do not understand the law either teach it incorrectly or avoid it. • Consistency and uniformity of application are difficult. • Many spectators don’t understand the Law

Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct

According to FIFA Laws: • How many fouls are identified as “direct-free kick” infractions? 10

Name the 10 violations (according to FIFA) 1. kicks or attempts to kick an opponent 2. trips or attempts to trip an opponent 3. jumps at an opponent 4. charges an opponent 5. strikes or attempts to strike an opponent 6. pushes an opponent 7. tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball 8. holds an opponent 9. spits at an opponent 10. handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty

WSA Rule modifications for DFKs: • At what grade does the Jr. Referee begin rewarding Direct Free Kicks? rd 3 Grade

WSA rule modifications Continued • What is the restart for the 10 DFK infractions at the younger age (U 8) 2 nd grade? Indirect Free Kick (IFK)

Name the 4 IFK violations caused by the Goal Keeper, according to FIFA Law When a goalkeeper: v takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession. v touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player. v touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate (unless it was done so by the head, chest or knee). v touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate.

Additional indirect free kick fouls An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee: v plays in a dangerous manner. v impedes the progress of an opponent. v prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands. v Any other infraction that causes play to stop i. e. a player coming on/going off the field without referees permission, too many players on the field etc.

Law XIII - Free-Kick How many types of free kicks are there?

Free kicks: What are they? Direct and Indirect Free Kick 3 grade v Under WSA rulerd modifications, at what age can direct free kicks occur? v When is the ball in play for both indirect and the ball is kicked direct. When free kicks? and MOVES

What signals? ? ? How are longthe should the referee hold this position? The Indirect Free Kick Signal until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.

WSA Modifications Because no direct free kicks occur below 3 rd grade, how should players be instructed? The ball must touch another player before it can be shot on goal.

Direct Free Kicks What is the signal for a direct free kick?

Law XIV - Penalty-Kick

WSA rule modifications At what age can Penalty Kicks occur? 3 rd Grade What type of kick is awarded below 3 rd grade? Indirect Free Kick

Law XV - Throw-in

What is a legal throw in? v Both feet must remain on the ground. Jumping up in the air when throwing in is illegal. v Ball must come from directly behind the head with both hands on either side of the ball. Turning hands one way or the other is illegal. v Player may step ON the touch line, but not over it.

WSA rule modifications • U 6/U 7 (1 st grade) has unlimited re-tries (with instruction) • U 8 (2 nd grade) gets ONE re-try • U 10 (3 rd grade) NO retries. It is important to call illegal throw-ins at this age, as they will need to know them.

Law XVI - Goal-Kick When is a goal kick awarded? When the attacking team kicks the entire ball over the end-line (but not scoring a goal), a goal kick is awarded to the defending team.

Signal for a goal kick Where does the referee point in order to indicate a goal kick? The Goal Area

Proper procedures for a goal kick v Where should the defenders stand? Anywhere on the pitch v Where should the attacking team stand? Anywhere outside the penalty area v Where can the kick be taken from? The goal area v Who can take the kick? Anyone on the Defending team

When is the ball in play? When it leaves the penalty area What is the correct re-start if it does not leave the penalty area? Re-do What if an attacker steps in the penalty area prior to the ball leaving?

Good to know • Goal kick: v. Where can the ball be placed? v. Kicking team, where are they? v. Defending team, where are they? v. When can anyone play the ball?

Law XVII - Corner-Kick

What causes a corner kick? When the defending team last touches the ball and the entire ball travels over the goal-line (but not into the goal), a corner kick is awarded to the attacking team. Placement of the ball (if corner arcs are present on the field)

Signal for a corner Which corner does the referee point to? The corner where The kick will be Taken from

When is the ball in play? When it is kicked and MOVES

Good to know Corner Kick Gone Awry: v Ball goes over the goal line without touching anyone Goal kick to the defending team v Ball goes over the touchline without touching anyone Throw in for the other team v Kicker touches ball again before anyone else touches it. IFK for the other team.

WSA Pay Schedule v Jr. Referee (U 8/2 nd grade): $15 alone $12 with a partner Getting paid Insure that coaches sign off on your voucher following every match Send vouchers in to the address on the sheet Pick up extra vouchers from either Mrs. Dean or Mrs. Allers

Positioning on the field dork Remember: goof The best position is one that is flexible and intelligent based on observed or known player tactics and team strategies! doof Three conditions for best position: A = I can see play and the potential problem area B = I can see my AR C = I am not occupying space the players need

Good to know • The ball is still in play when it hits: • The goal posts/crossbar • Corner flag • YOU

Good to know • It is not the referees job to chase after the ball. Why should the referee instruct the players to get the ball?

Good to know • Do you need to blow the whistle for every stoppage in play? • When are the only times the referee must blow the whistle? NO • Kick Offs • Penalty kicks • Free kicks, IF the player requests ten yards

Good to know Mirroring your partner

Good to know Drop ball When, why and how?

Good to know • IFK or DFK taking place INSIDE the defending teams penalty area are in play when? Once the ball leaves the penalty are (just like a goal kick)

Injuries • For younger players, stop play right away. • Have kids sit down (take a knee) • DO NOT tend to the injury yourself, invite the coach on to the pitch by waving him on. • Your restart is…. .

Uniform • There are how many teams wearing uniforms during the match? 3 2 opponents and the officiating team

The Officiating Team • • Because they are a team, the officials must appear unified. In order to do so they wear the same attire. WSA Jr. Referees wear: Black referee top Black shorts Black shoes/cleats Black socks

Prior to the game • ARRIVE FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE KICK-OFF request the match ball, introduce yourselves to the coaches and How does the coin toss work? captains conduct coin toss Report the results of coin toss decision to coaches, announces direction and team responsible for initial kick-off AR’s Have flags furled at side Perform final check of nets Performs final check of bench and technical areas, equipment and supplies and presence of only authorized persons • PRE-GAME CONFERENCE

Offside

The attacker who receives the ball from his team--mate, number 8, is not offside because, when the ball is kicked, he is level with the second last defender.

The attacker, number 9, is not offside because, when the ball is played to him by his team-mate, number 7, he is level with the second last defender.

A player cannot be offside from a throw-in.

The attacker who receives the ball from his team-mate, number 9, is offside since he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than the ball and the second last defender and gains an advantage by being in that position.

The attacker, number 9, is offside because he is involved in active play and is interfering with the goalkeeper.