| More important than some people think | | | | player does not leave he can be cautioned (Yellow |
| The soccer referee is in the middle of the soccer | | | | Card). |
| field to enforce the laws of the game. He does this | | | | Positioning |
| with the help of his assistant referees, and | | | | The soccer referee must be in the best position to |
| sometimes a fourth official. | | | | see the players and his assistants. He will run on a |
| As we all know, being a soccer official is no easy | | | | path that runs from one corner of the penalty area |
| task. No matter what call you make somebody thinks | | | | at one end of the field, to the corner of the penalty |
| that you are wrong. So you have to be able to take | | | | area at the other end of the field, on the opposite |
| it. | | | | side of the field. |
| Responsibilities | | | | By being in good position the referee can: |
| Besides looking good in their soccer referee uniforms, | | | | - See the play well |
| they are responsible for making sure that: | | | | - Talk to individual players if necessary. |
| - The soccer ball meets the requirements of the laws | | | | - Hear anything said between opposing players. He |
| of the game. | | | | must also be fit. He will run just as much as the |
| - The players' equipment meets the requirements of | | | | players will. When is the last time that you saw an |
| the laws of the game. | | | | over-weight soccer official? Not likely! |
| - He keeps the official time of the match, supported | | | | Referee Equipment |
| by his assistants. | | | | To be a soccer official you also need the proper |
| - He records the goals and any red cards, or yellow | | | | equipment. It is not much, but you will need these |
| cards that are given out. | | | | tools to do your job properly: |
| - He stops play for fouls, injuries, corner kicks, and | | | | - A good whistle so the players can hear when you |
| goal kicks. | | | | stop the play. |
| - He allows play to continue when a foul is committed | | | | - A referee's wallet that contains your red and yellow |
| if he decides that the team that was fouled has | | | | cards, and a place to record the events of the game. |
| advantage. | | | | - Flags for your assistant referees. |
| - He ensures the safety of the soccer players. | | | | - A good watch, or sometimes two, to time the |
| Although these are the main responsibilities that he | | | | game properly. |
| has, the soccer referee can discipline team officials | | | | - Good quality soccer footwear for whatever field |
| on the bench if necessary. These team officials can | | | | you will be on. That could include soccer referee turf |
| be sent to the dressing room, or away from the field | | | | shoes or cleats. |
| of play, if the offence is serious enough. | | | | Attention |
| Injured Players | | | | The referee is not meant to be the center of |
| The referee will decide, based on the seriousness of | | | | attention. A good official will be able to let the game |
| the injury, when he will stop play. After speaking with | | | | flow, stopping play only when necessary. He should |
| the injured player he will decide if their is a need for | | | | be able to maintain control of the game, but let the |
| medical help or not. He will then request the medical | | | | players decide the outcome. |
| assistance if the player cannot leave the field on his | | | | Being a soccer referee is challenging, but also very |
| own. He will send the player off the soccer field until | | | | rewarding. You will receive respect from most, as |
| the next stoppage of play, if he is fit to return. But | | | | they would never even try to do what you do. |
| the time to return is strictly up to the referee. If the | | | | |