Referee Registration, Training and Information

We develop our own referees for our organization and for the Michigan Soccer Referee Committee

Referee Grade Levels

• Grade 9 State License Beginner Referee
• Grade 8 State License Experienced Referee
• NMCYS Junior Referee Program (Minimum age 10 Youth Division Only Mentor Trained

To Register as a Referee

For people who want to register to be a referee, please email us at info@nmcys.org and include the following:

• Your Full Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number (include if you can text at this number)
• Birthdate
• Are you currently a licensed referee
• If not licensed, if you would like to ref NMCYS games or travel

Referee Abuse

NMCYS does not tolerate abuse of any kind.

Everyone deserves Respect and Kindness.

We are a TEAM.

The following is from the USSF Policy Manual, #531-9, beginning on page 33:

(i) Referee assault is an intentional act of physical violence at or

upon a referee.

(ii) For purposes of this policy, “intentional act” shall mean an act

intended to bring about a result which will invade the interests of

another in a way that is socially unacceptable. Unintended

consequences of the act are irrelevant.

(b) Assault includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed upon a referee: hitting, kicking, punching, choking, spitting on, grabbing

or bodily running into a referee; head butting; the act of kicking or throwing any object at a referee that could inflict injury; damaging the referee’s uniform or personal property, i.e. car, equipment, etc.

(4) (a) Referee abuse is a verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact which implies or threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment.

(b) Abuse includes, but is not limited to the following acts committed

upon a referee: using foul or abusive language toward a referee that implies or threatens physical harm; spewing any beverage on a referee’s personal property; or spitting at (but not on) the referee.

Respect all Referees

Coach, Parent and Player Conduct Regarding Referees

• Do not ever attempt to challenge the referee, no matter what he signals for. In a game of soccer, the referee’s calls are always right, no matter how wrong they may be. Arguing with the referee is considered dissent and often results in a yellow card.
• Most referees will explain a call or a rule, if asked politely, and may even correct the situation if a rule was not applied correctly. However, if this becomes too frequent, the referee may disallow any conversation altogether.
• A referee’s job is to enforce the laws (rules) of the game. his viewpoint is usually advantageous, and he/she has been trained to know what to look for. It may be helpful to get an explanation of a call or politely discuss a rule. However, it is NEVER helpful to discuss a referee’s judgment. Experienced referees will usually answer a question by stating “in the opinion of the referee . . .”
• For defenders and goalkeepers, do not raise your hand to appeal for offside, or show the hand signal to appeal for hand-ball. It’s worse to concede a goal when a foul, offside or stoppages never happen than having a goal canceled after playing everything possible to stop the goal.

Tips

• Never disagree with the referee.
• The referee will send-off and show the red card to a player who:
• is guilty of serious foul play
• is guilty of violent conduct
• spits at an opponent or any other person
• denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
• denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
• uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
• receives a second caution in the same match
• is “guilty” of taunting or baiting an opponent (US high school soccer)
• The referee will caution and show the yellow card to a player who:
• is guilty of unsporting behaviour
• shows dissent by word or action
• persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
• delays the restart of play
• fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick or throw-in
• enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission
• deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission
• The other three direct free kick fouls are:
• holding an opponent
• spitting at an opponent
• handling the ball deliberately
• There are seven fouls that may be punished by the referee with a direct free kick if the player is careless, reckless, or uses excessive force:
• kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
• tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
• jumping at an opponent
• charging an opponent
• striking or attempting to strike an opponent
• pushing an opponent
• tackling an opponent
• There are eight offenses for which the referee may award an indirect free kick are:
• The goalkeeper takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession
• The goalkeeper touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
• Playing in a dangerous manner
• Impeding the progress of an opponent
• Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
• Any other offense is committed for which play is stopped to caution or send-off a player

To understand Soccer Referee Signals Please visit the following link:

Understanding Referee Signals