REFEREE ROLES
2nd Grade Referees
Head referee:
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to game start time
• Check-in both teams
• Responsible for time keeping and blowing whistles to call for out of bounds, fouls, kick off, half-time and end of game
• Check in with your mentor before the game, during half time and at the end of the game with any questions and for tips.
Mentor (Fall Session Only)
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to the first game start
• You are responsible to oversee a total of four 2nd grade referees.
• Check in with two referees at a time at three times:
o prior to their games and ask referees if they have questions
o observe referees during the game and check in at half time to share observations and advice
o at the end of their game time and ask if they have any questions
• The mentor is never on the playing field. The referee has to make the hand signals and whistles. If the new referee misses a call or makes a bad call, that's fine, just let them know when you check in at half time.
• During the game, the mentor is off the field in a position to be able to observe two games playing at the same time, i.e. not distracted by phone or other distraction.
3rd and 4th Grade Referees
Head referee:
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to game start time
• Check-in both teams
• Responsible for time keeping and blowing whistles to call for out of bounds, fouls, kick off, half-time and end of game
Assistant referee:
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to game start
• Check that all fields have a head referee. If a field does not have a referee, you will take over as head referee.
• If all fields have a head referee, choose one game and check in with the head referee to let him know that you will be assisting.
• Assistant referee assists from the sidelines to help call out of bounds and fouls
• IMPORTANT NOTE: the app will list you as “Head Referee” but the field name will be called “Brown Oak Hill: Assistant Ref” and not team names.
5th/6th Grade Referees (must be in 7th grade or older)
Head referee:
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to game start time
• Check-in teams (you can ask the assistant referee to check in the second team if that would be helpful)
• Responsible for time keeping and blowing whistles to call for out of bounds, fouls, kick off, half-time and end of game
• Takes primary responsibility for one half of the field and calling offside, but can call a play on the other side of the midfield if the other referee doesn’t see it.
Assistant referee:
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to game start. Check in with head referee to choose sides of the field
• Check-in one team if head ref needs assistance
• Takes primary responsibility for the other half of the field and calling offside, but can call a play on the other side of the midfield if the head referee doesn’t see it.
Alternative set up: the head and assistant referees may also choose a different set up, where the head referee has the full field and the assistant referee is on the sidelines. Both head and assistant referee must check in with each other before the game to decide which set up you prefer. Only choose this set up if you both spoke to each other and both agreed to this change.