Referees

    Recreation Referee Certificationis available to anyone interested in learning more about soccer and beginning to gain knowledge and experience in refereeing soccer. Referee certification is an excellent way for coaches to learn more about the game.

Referee Availability Form (Spring 2007)

Recreational Coaches and Referee Guide (Fall 2006)

Links

• FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) - Rules
• Training
• MYSL Rules
• Cross Association Rules
• VYSA Referee Information
• Central Virginia Soccer Referee Association
• Virginia-Metro DC State Referee Program                   

MIdlothian Youth Soccer League Guidelines for Jewelry, Braces, Glasses and Casts

The following is a listing of common items often encountered by referees that officiate matches in central Virginia. To insure the safety of all players, the following items are not allowed to be worn or used by a player, on the pitch, prior to or during a game.

• Watches
• Metal bracelets
• Cloth bracelets (whether loosely or snuggly fitting)
• Metal necklaces (whether loosely or snuggly fitting)
• Cloth necklaces (whether loosely or snuggly fitting). Bracelets must be removed to play; whether or not to cut them off and play is a decision of the player.
• Metal barrettes
• Plastic barrettes. Ribbons in the hair are allowed - if all players with ribbons on the same team have the same color.
• Earrings - whether or not they are pierced, on the lower or upper ear. Earrings must be removed. If they require a tool, they must be removed or the player does not play. Players may not tape earrings in order to play.
  Any body piercing jewelry (nose, eyebrow, tongue, navel, etc., - including that under clothing). Referees will not inspect under clothing for these items. It is the responsibility of the player, parents and coach to insure that the player's safety is protected by the absence of these covered items.
• Wire rim glasses. Plastic frame glasses are permissible - even if they contain a "wire" within the plastic are of the glasses.
• Casts, whether or not they are padded; hard casts or soft casts.
• Socks which are not the same color. One player may not wear two different color socks. If players on the same team have different colors, the referee should make every effort to play, avoiding targeting. If players on the opposing teams have the same color socks, the referee should play, doing the best he/she can.
• Elbow, finger, or wrist braces which contain any hard or inflexible substances. Knee braces are permitted - if all exposed hard edges and joints are properly padded. If during the game, the player uses the knee brace as a "weapon" in the opinion of the referee, it will no longer be allowed.

Medical and/or religious bracelets and necklaces are permitted if securely taped to the player.

This information has been provided by MYSL as outlined by FIFA specifications.