Eastern Plains Referee Association

  High School Pre-Game Suggestions

1.                  Arrive at field 20-30 minutes before kickoff.

2.                  Park in an area where you can leave quickly.

3.                  Remove jewelry.

4.                  Leave your bag in the car; take only your car key and the necessary equipment to the field.  Necessary equipment includes red and yellow cards, book with paper, 2 pens, 2 whistles, 2 watches, badge and coin.  Have a pump and athletic tape available if needed.

5.                  Approach the field with shirt tucked in and socks pulled up.  I can’t stress PROFESSIONALISM enough - it is the key to a positive first impression with the players, coaches and fans.

6.                  Identify the school administrator/deputy.

7.                  Walk the field and check goals, anchors, nets, corner flags, bench areas, and field markings.  Check field for holes, sprinklers, drains, etc.  Each assistant may check his/her own goal while the ref walks the field if you are pressed for time.

8.                  During the course of their warm-up, check the players for proper uniforms, jewelry, knee braces, appropriate shinguards, etc.

9.                  Conduct your pre-game conference with assistant referees.

10.                 Introduce yourself to the coaches and keep the discussion brief.  Collect a roster, confirm the active players, and ask the home coach whether there will be player introductions and the playing of the national anthem; if so, tell the coaches to end their warm-up 10 minutes prior to kickoff to allow for such pre-match ceremonies.  Find out whether the home site will keep the official score and time.  If the home site is keeping the official time and score, confer with the clock operator about stoppages of the clock, your signals, count-down from 10 seconds, etc.  If you will keep the official score and time, tell the clock operator to stop the clock with 2 minutes remaining in each half, and inform coaches that the official time and score will be kept by the ref. Find out if this is a conference or non-conference match - remember ties in conference matches play two ten minute non-sudden death OT periods; ties in non-conference matches play OT only if both coaches agree prior to the start of the match.

11.                 Call the teams together to discuss good sportsmanship, intolerance of foul language, and anything else you deem necessary.

12.              Check the match balls.

13.              Confirm and introduce yourself to the ball boys/girls.  They are part of your officiating team for the match.

14.              For substitution purposes, know whether the teams will be positioned on the same side or opposite sides.

15.              With all 3 officials in the center circle, call for captains, record their numbers, conduct the coin flip (visitor calls flip and winner chooses ball or side), and address any other topics you feel necessary.  Direct the captains to bring their team onto the field or stand at attention through player introductions and anthem (referee should be holding a match ball).

16.              Assistants will leave the referee simultaneously for a final check of the goals and take their position with the 2^nd to last defender.  Referee remains in the center circle holding the ball (not juggling).

17.              Make eye contact (or a thumbs up) with the assistants to confirm all players on their side of the field are ready, do not shout to the keeper, hand the ball to the attacking team, start your watches and blow the whistle.  Begin the match on time.

YOU CANNOT ACCOMPLISH THIS PRE-GAME IF YOU ARRIVE FIVE MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF!