Findlay Area Referee Information

   Download GameOfficials.net Account Creation Instructions

You can go to the GameOfficials.net assignment system to set up your account after you receive the Group Number and Access Code from the Assignor by clicking on the banner provided below.  You can also use the banner to go to the GameOfficials.net assignment system to login whenever you need to after you have created your account.

How to Become a Referee

Want to become a referee?  Need to complete the referee training course in order to complete your coaching license?

Referees start out as a Recreational Referee (Grade 9).  This level permits you to be a referee on recreational games U-14** and below and as an assistant referee on all youth games.  The next step is to complete a bridge course to advance to a grade 8 referee.  This Grade 8 level permits you to officiate as a referee or as an assistant in all levels of youth games.

Recreational referees may take the bridge course in the same year as the entry level clinic or wait until they are more comfortable and take the course in a subsequent year.  Many clinic sponsors will have both entry level clinics and bridge course clinics scheduled so participants may choose to advance to a grade 8 referee in their first year.

The clinic requires approximately 8 hours of classroom and field time and concludes with a 50 question exam.  The USSF and State fees to become a Recreational Referee are $65.00.  These fees may be paid by credit card online (see instructions in the "USSF Referee Courses Registration Instructions" section below).  It is highly recommended that you register for the clinic online.  However, the $65.00 clinic fee may be paid at the clinic.

Local assocation and clinic fees may apply.  These fees are paid by cash or check at the clinic.

**  Travel soccer requires you to be at least 2 years older than the teams playing.

USSF Referee Courses Dates, Locations, Information

Hancock Soccer Association will reimburse all NEW Certified USSF Referee's $30.00 of their course fees.  NEW Referees must successfully complete the course AND officiate a minimum of 5 matches for the Association after becoming a Certified USSF Referee.

2010 New Referee Clinics (Grade 9)

New Referee Clinics can't be used to satisfy the annual 5 hours of instruction for currently registered referees.  The cost to register will be $40.00 for USSF fee, $10.00 State Administrative fee, and $15.00 State Clinic fee ($65.00 total).  Sponsoring organizations may charge an additional clinic fee or association dues.  See clinic information for any additional fees or special instructions.

Northwest Ohio Area Clinics Only

All Northwest Ohio Clinics for 2010 have concluded.
The next opportunity for Northwest Ohio clinics will be in February and March of 2011.

2010 Bridge Course (Grade 9 to Grade 8)

The Bridge Course can't be used to satisfy the annual 5 hours of instruction for currently registered grade 8 or 7 referees.  Grade 9 referees registered in previous years may use the Bridge Course to satisfy their recertification hours if they complete the upgrade to grade 8.  The fee will be $40.00 for USSF fee and $10.00 State Administrative fee.  Sponsoring organizations may charge an additional clinic fee or association dues.  See clinic information for any additional fees or special instructions.

Referees that complete a new referee clinic and a Bridge clinic in the same year will not be charged an additional USSF fee or State Administrative fee if they notify the registrar of the Novice Clinic that they plan to advance to a grade 8 referee in the same year.

Northwest Ohio Area Courses Only

All Northwest Ohio Courses for 2010 have concluded.
The next opportunity for Northwest Ohio courses will be in February and March of 2011.

Additional information is available on the Northwest Ohio Soccer Officials Association website:
http://www.nwosoa.org

Information on clinics elsewhere in the entire Ohio North region can also be found on the Ohio Soccer Association North State Referee Committee website:
http://www.ohnrefs.org/

Questions ?  Need Referee Information ?

For answers to referee related questions or to inquire for information:

Contact the Findlay USSF Referee Assignor

HSA Email List

If you have not done so, please subscribe to the HSA email list.  Make sure you at least select to receive referee related information.  Findlay related Referee information will be periodically emailed to subscribers who have selected to receive such information.  You can subscribe by clicking the "Subscribe To Our Email List To Receive HSA Newsletters" button that appears directly below the navigation menu to your left.

HSA Recreational Game Report and Pay Forms

All referees working Hancock Soccer Association Recreational matches are required to turn in a HSA Recreational Game Report for each match.  All required information on this form MUST be completed and legible.

Failure to complete these forms and getting required coach signatures will result in no pay.  These forms are your proof that you worked the assigned match, and are used to verify your attendance for pay purposes.

A team roster verification form MUST be completed and turned in to the Findlay Certified USSF Assignor for all matches between Hancock Soccer Association (HSA) and Black Swamp Soccer League (BSSL) teams.

More information regarding the Game Report Forms and the Roster Verification Forms is available on the Recreational Game Report page of this website.  Please visit that page for instructions and access to the form links.  A link to the page is provided below:

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE RECREATIONAL GAME REPORT PAGE

USSF Referee Report Form

If you have an incident during any of your matches that needs reported (serious injuries or serious misconduct), you need to complete the official USSF Referee Report Form and submit it to the Findlay USSF Referee Assignor within 48 hours of the incident.

Below are links to two versions of the form for downloading.  One is in Microsoft Word format, the other is in Acrobat PDF format.  Use whichever version is best for you.  They are both the same forms, just in different document software formats.

   Download USSF Referee Report - Microsoft Word Document

   Download USSF Referee Report - PDF Document

Referee Data Wallet Forms Compliments of HSA !

Are you a referee that is out of data wallet forms?  If so, below is a link that you can use to download and print free replacement data wallet forms.

   Download Referee Data Wallet Forms

FIFA Penalty Kick Forms Compliments of HSA !

Are you a referee that needs some FIFA Penalty Kick record forms for tournament use?  If so, below is a link that you can use to download and print free penalty kick record forms.

   Download FIFA Penalty Kick Record Forms

HSA, NWOYSL, OYSAN, USSF Rules and Laws

   Download HSA Goal Safety Policy

   Download CPSC Federal Goal Safety Policy

   Download Coach Safety Check List

   Download City of Findlay Sports Violence Policy

   Download HSA Discipline and Appeals And Referee Abuse and Assault Policy

   Download OYSAN Discipline and Appeals Policy

   Download HSA Referee Guide (March 2009 Revision)

   Download NWOYSL Competitive U9 and U10 rules

   Download NWOYSL Competitive U11 and U12 rules

   Download NWOYSL Competitive U13 and U14 rules

   Download NWOYSL Competitive Match Lengths and Referee Pay Scales

USSF AND FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME

These are available on the USSF website.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE USSF WEBSITE

Duties And Powers Of The Referee

The Referee's Duties are:

• To enforce the Laws.
• To keep a record of the game and keep time.
• To ensure no unauthorized persons enter the field of play.
• To restart the match after stoppage.
• To decide on the fitness of the ball.
• To ensure that the players' equipment meets the requirements of Law 4.
• To report on the particulars of the game to the proper authorities.
• To control the match in cooperation with the assistant referees and the fourth official.
• To act on the advice of the assistant referees regarding incidents the referee has not been seen.
• To punish the most serious offense when a player commits more than one offense at the same time.
• To ensure that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play.

The Referee's Powers are:

• To give the advantage if the offended team will benefit from it.
• Discretionary power to stop, suspend, or terminate the game.
• To take disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offenses.
• To stop the game for any infringement.
• To stop the game for serious injury.
• To allow play to continue on slight injury.
• To ensure that coaches/team officials behave responsibly.
• To reverse or change a decision, but only if it was incorrect and the referee realizes this prior to play being restarted.

What can the referee not do ?

Although the referee is empowered to terminate a match in the event of grave disorder, he/she has no power or right to decide that either team is the winner or loser.

The Referee's Most Important Duty:

To use good sense in controlling a game so that the players and spectators enjoy a fairly played game.

Duties Of The Assistant Referee

The Assistant Referee's Duties are to indicate:

• When the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play.
• Which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in.
• When a player may be penalized for being in an offside position.
• When a substitution is requested.
• When misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee.
• To assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

Code Of Ethics For Referees

1. That I shall always maintain the utmost respect for the game of soccer.
2. That I will conduct myself honorably at all times and maintain the dignity of my position.
3. That I shall always honor a contractual obligation.
4. That I will endeavor to attend local meetings and clinics so as best to know the Laws of the Game and their proper interpretation.
5. That I will always strive to achieve maximum team work with any fellow referees and linesmen.
6. That I shall be loyal to my fellow referees and linesmen, and never knowingly promote criticism of them.
7. That I shall be in good physical condition so as to be in the right place at the right time.
8. That I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing firmness.
9. That I shall do my utmost to assist my fellow officials to better themselves and their work.
10. That I shall not make statements about any game except to clarify an interpretation of the Laws of the Game.
11. That I consider it a privilege to be part of the United States Soccer Federation and I will strive to make my actions reflect credit upon that organization and its affiliates.