The Basic Referees’ Course (Contains the 2007/2008 Law changes).

The Basic Referees’ Course (Contains the 2007/2008 Law changes).

Law 1 The Field of Play Law 1 The Field of Play Suggested time 15 minutes

Aims To introduce and prepare you to deal with: • How to inspect the ground • Decide if it is playable • What action to take if problems arise • How to check field measurements • Purpose of each area • How to check the goals • How to check flag posts • Approved materials • Variations in measurements and markings • Illegal markings. Law 1 The Field of Play

1. How to inspect the ground • Arrive early in time to rectify problems • Length exceeds width • General first check on arrival • Systematic FOP method of inspection • Optional mark off field is allowed 10yds / 9.15 from corner arc. Law 1 The Field of Play

2. Decide if it is playable • If doubtful, take action before away team travels • Markings sufficiently distinctive • Pace out accuracy • No danger on surface/appurtenances • Minimum markings? • Be practicable – play if possible • Rain, fading light, lightening? Law 1 The Field of Play

3. What action to take Seek home club official: • Ask for defects to be rectified • Inform official if report sent in Report to League or Competition • Unresolved problems if game played • If weather prevents or interferes Law 1 The Field of Play

4. How to check measurements • Not from within the warm Club house! • Visually from behind goalmouth. • Pace out. • Reach up to crossbar. • Poor visibility – must see entire length. Law 1 The Field of Play

5. Purpose of each area • Goal area. • Penalty area. • Centre circle. • Penalty arc. • Corner arc. • The 2 Halves. • Boundary lines - goal & touchlines. Law 1 The Field of Play

6. How to check the goals • Equidistant from corner flag posts • Portable goals (must be anchored) • Cup hook advice • Stability • Nets may be attached • Shape of posts & crossbar • Max 5ins’/12cm same width & depth • Lines same width as goal structure • Broken crossbar Law 1 The Field of Play

7. Checking the flag posts • Corner flags (compulsory) • Halfway flags (optional) 1m+ outside • Size (5ft / 1.5m) • Danger – non pointed tops • If no flags are available? Law 1 The Field of Play

8. Approved material • Goal structure • Wood/metal or approved material • Must be white • Lines • Sawdust as substitute for goal line Law 1 The Field of Play

9. Variations • Colour of lines (*normally white) • Poor weather (snow – use darker lines) • Small sided • Girls’ and Women’s Football • Veterans • Under 16 • Disabled players Law 1 The Field of Play

10. Illegal markings • Illegal markings (goalkeeper’s line) • Creosote • No advertising is allowed: • on the ground, goals, nets, • within technical areas, • or one metre from the touchline, • or between goal line and the nets. Law 1 The Field of Play

Any Questions? Law 1 The Field of Play

Summary • How to inspect the ground. • Decide if it is playable. • What action to take if problems arise. • How to check field measurements. • Purpose of each area. • How to check the goals. • How to check flag posts. • Approved materials. • Variations in measurements and markings. • Illegal markings. Law 1 The Field of Play

Law 2 The Ball Law 2 The Ball Suggested time 15 minutes

Aims: Recognising and examining an acceptable match ball: • Dimensions. • Materials. • When to inspect. • Danger. • Recognising when ball is defective. • Replacement of defective ball. • Action to take before restarting game. Law 2 The Ball

1. Dimensions (is spherical) • Circumference - check with piece of string knotted at 68 and 70 cms. • Weight - important to check before match; use your judgement (410 - 450gms).General first check on arrival. • Pressure - feel, bounce on firm surface. (0.6 - 1.1 atmosphere at sea level). • Variations – size, weight & material. Law 2 The Ball

2. Materials & FIFA standard • Leather or other suitable material. • Colour? • FIFA Competition Match balls: • FIFA APPROVED • FIFA INSPECTED • INTERNATIONAL MATCHBALL STANDARD Law 2 The Ball

3. When to inspect? • Reserve / spare balls. • During stoppages in game. • Collecting at half and full time. • Replacement balls. • Try to complete game if no other ball available. • Use the same ball if possible. Law 2 The Ball

4. Aspects of Danger • Ref’s Duty – conforms to Law 2. • Check balls before the game. • Balls provided by home team. • Obvious dangers are: • Cuts. • Unstitched. • Protrusions. • Deflated or too hard! Law 2 The Ball

5. Recognising when the ball is defective. • Appeals from players. • Check ball when next out of play. • Signal from Assistant Referee. • Out of shape. (won’t roll or fly true). • New ball check prior to restart. Law 2 The Ball

6. Replacement of defective ball • Burst ball – stop the game! • Obtain and check replacement ball. • RESTART: • If not in play = normal restart. • Play stopped = dropped ball. • Dropped ball – at *place where ball became defective, • *Exception in goal area. • Ball may only be changed with Referee’s authority. Law 2 The Ball

7. Action to take before restarting game • Check that ball is safe. • Players are ready. • Time lost has been assimilated. • Signal restart with whistle. Law 2 The Ball

Any Questions? Law 2 The Ball

Summary • Dimensions. • Materials. • When to inspect. • Danger. • Recognising when ball is defective. • Replacement of defective ball. • Action to take before restarting game. Law 2 The Ball

Law 3 The Number of Players Law 3 The Number of Players Suggested time 10 minutes

Aims: To know what comprises a team and how to effect substitutions. • Number of players. • Substitutes. • Significance of goalkeeper. • Referee’s duty. 5. Technical Area. Law 3 The Number of Players

1. Number of players: • Normally 11 in each side. • One must be a goalkeeper. • Players joining after start of game. • Wilful infringement of more than 11. • Caution (or send-off) last player(s). • Restart with dropped ball. • Minimum recommended 7. Law 3 The Number of Players

1. Number of players: • Players sent off before match: • Replaced by a named substitute, • Kick off not to be delayed. • Substitute sent off before or after the match has started: • may not be replaced. • Check player numbers before start. • Other infringements: • Stop play and caution. • Restart with indirect free kick. Law 3 The Number of Players

2. Substitutes: • Official Competitions – max of 3. • Competition Rules nominated 3 to 7. • Other matches – no maximum number • Clubs agree before kick-off, • Referee to be advised. • Must be nominated before game. Law 3 The Number of Players

2. Substitute Procedure: • Referee informed beforehand. • During a stoppage of play. • At halfway line. • Substituted player off before substitute enters. • Substitute becomes a player when he steps on to the field of play. • Substitute player then ceases to be a player. • Takes no further part in the match. Law 3 The Number of Players

2. Substitute infringements: • Enters without Referee’s permission: • Play is stopped. • Substitute is cautioned, • Asked to leave the field of play. • Restart with an Indirect Free Kick. • IFK taken where ball was. Law 3 The Number of Players

3. Significance of goalkeeper: • Goalkeepers kit colour. • Referee informed of change. • May be a substitute or another player. • If not informed, caution both players during next stoppage. • Change during stoppage time. Law 3 The Number of Players

4. Referee's Duty: • Club Officials: • Irresponsible behaviour. • Take action when ball is out of play. • If behaviour interferes with match, • Ask politely. • Warn second time, & advise that further trouble not tolerated. • Amounting to misconduct. • Inform them they will be reported. • Send from vicinity of tech area. Law 3 The Number of Players

4. Referee's Duty: • Players, substitutes and substituted players subject to referee's authority and jurisdiction. • Player bleeding from wound. • Assistant Referees’ Role: • Substitutes. • Club Officials in Technical Area. • Bleeding players. Law 3 The Number of Players

5. Technical Area: • Team officials stay in technical area. • Behave in a responsible manner. • May convey tactical instructions. • Return after giving instruction. • Local football – no Tech Areas. • practical advice……………… Law 3 The Number of Players

Any Questions? Law 3 The Number of Players

Summary To know what comprises a team and how to effect substitutions. • Number of players. • Substitutes. • Significance of goalkeeper. • Referee’s duty. 5. Technical Area. Law 3 The Number of Players

Law 4 The Players’ Equipment Law 4 The Players' Equipment Suggested time 10 minutes

Aims: To know what comprises players’ equipment, infringements and understanding safety aspects: • Referee’s Duties. • Basic players’ equipment. • When and what to look for. • Safety aspects. Law 4 The Players' Equipment

1. Referee’s Duties • Equipment meets Law 4 requirements. • Referee sole judge. • Footwear- some Competitions require dressing room check. • No need to stop play at temporary loss of equipment (e.g. footwear or shinguards). • Common sense dictates. Law 4 The Players' Equipment

2. Basic Players’ Equipment Comprises the following separate items: • Jersey or shirt (must have a sleeve). • The sleeve of any undergarment must be same main colour as the jersey/shirt sleeve. • Shorts; • Undershorts – must be the same main colour as the as shorts. • Stockings. • Shinguards - to be covered by socks. • Footwear.Note: Tracksuit trousers for goalkeeper. Law 4 The Players' Equipment

2. Basic Players’ Equipment • No political, religious or personal statements allowed on basic equipment. • Else players will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or FIFA. • A player who removes his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser.

3. When & what to look for. • Distinguishing colours: • Goalkeepers, both teams, Referee and Assistant Referees. • Inspect prior to the game. • Allow time for players to remedy equipment if possible. • Halftime. • When alerted to an injury by a player. • Rectify before player continues. • Check by referee prior to re-entry. • Game not to be delayed for correction. Law 4 The Players' Equipment

4. Safety aspects. • Nothing to be worn that is dangerous to other players or to the player. • Footwear: • Inspect before game. • Inspect substitutes. • Inspect before re-entry if rectified. Failure to comply – caution; • if play stopped – restart with an indirect free kick where ball was located when play was stopped. Law 4 The Players' Equipment

Any Questions? Law 4 The Players' Equipment

Summary Referees’ Duty. • Basic players’ equipment. • When and what to look for. • Safety aspects. Law 4 The Players' Equipment

Law 5 The Referee First Impressions Law 5 The Referee First Impression Suggested time 10 minutes

Aims Aim: Ensure that a Referee is fully prepared prior to a game. • Personal Appearance and Equipment. • Recording match information. • What to take out. • Acting as timekeeper. Law 5 The Referee First Impression

The Basic Referees’ Course (Contains the 2007/2008 Law changes).