GRASSROOTS REFEREE EXAMS SCRIPT 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Path of a Referee - ✔✔referees run in a left diagonal path to see as much action as
possible w/out interfering w/ the game
✔✔Referee - ✔✔the ONLY match official that starts/stops/restarts play
✔✔Line Width - ✔✔must be uniform, no more than 5 inches
✔✔Ball Dimensions (weight & pressure) - ✔✔must be 14-16oz.
must be 8.5 - 15.6 psi
*can vary based on Rules of Competition
✔✔Ball Dimensions (size) - ✔✔standard is 27-28 inches in circumference
* can vary based on Rules of Competition
✔✔Maximum # of players allowed on field - ✔✔11 players (including the goalie)
✔✔Minimum # of players to start/continue a game - ✔✔7 players
- if a player deliberately leaves the field of play, leaving team with < 7 players, game
MUST be stopped once ball goes out of play
✔✔# of Substitutions allowed per game (men/women) - ✔✔top division club
competitions are limited to 5 subs
✔✔# of Substitutions allowed per game (National "A" Team Matches) - ✔✔12 subs may
be named, 6 may be used
✔✔# of Substitutions allowed (if referee is NOT informed or NO agreement us made
before the game) - ✔✔6 subs allowed on each team
✔✔Mandatory Player Equipment - ✔✔shirts/sleeves
shorts
socks
shin guards
soccer shoes
✔✔Goalie uniform - ✔✔may wear tracksuit bottoms
must wear colors that are different from all other players/match officials
colors for both team goalies can be the same
✔✔Equipment offenses - ✔✔instruct player to leave the field & correct the equipment
only allowed to re-enter w/ referee permission
, ✔✔Equipment offenses (stopped play) - ✔✔if play is stopped to issue caution, award an
indirect free kick from where ball was last played
✔✔Equipment offenses (interference) - ✔✔if there was interference, award a penalty
kick or a direct free kick from the position of the interference
✔✔Field of Play Dimensions (4 vs. 4) - ✔✔touchlines (25-35yds)
goal lines (15-25yds)
goal posts (4ft max height, 6ft max width)
corner flag posts (NOT required)
size 3 ball used
goalies NOT required/referee often NOT required
✔✔Field of Play Dimensions (7 vs. 7) - ✔✔touchlines (55-65yds)
goal lines (35-45yds)
goal posts (6.5ft height, 12-18.5ft width)
size 4 ball used
✔✔Field of Play Dimensions (9 vs. 9) - ✔✔touchlines (70-80yds)
goal lines (45-55yds)
goal posts (6.5-7ft height, 18.5-21ft width)
size 4 ball used
✔✔If a player switches w/ goalie (w/out permission) - ✔✔allow play to continue
caution both players when ball is next out of play
✔✔Decisions of a Referee - ✔✔once a decision is made, it is FINAL and should always
be respected
✔✔Substitution whistle (whistle calls) - ✔✔short/single blow
✔✔Severe foul (whistle calls) - ✔✔long, drawn-out blow
✔✔End of game (whistle calls) - ✔✔3 increasingly long blows
✔✔Half-time (whistle calls) - ✔✔2 long-ish blows
✔✔Minor foul (whistle calls) - ✔✔very short (beep) blow
✔✔Flag Technique Best Practices - ✔✔stand in place while signaling
check hand (correct) before signaling w/ flag
stand behind the touchline
hold flag signals clearly, as an extension of arm
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Path of a Referee - ✔✔referees run in a left diagonal path to see as much action as
possible w/out interfering w/ the game
✔✔Referee - ✔✔the ONLY match official that starts/stops/restarts play
✔✔Line Width - ✔✔must be uniform, no more than 5 inches
✔✔Ball Dimensions (weight & pressure) - ✔✔must be 14-16oz.
must be 8.5 - 15.6 psi
*can vary based on Rules of Competition
✔✔Ball Dimensions (size) - ✔✔standard is 27-28 inches in circumference
* can vary based on Rules of Competition
✔✔Maximum # of players allowed on field - ✔✔11 players (including the goalie)
✔✔Minimum # of players to start/continue a game - ✔✔7 players
- if a player deliberately leaves the field of play, leaving team with < 7 players, game
MUST be stopped once ball goes out of play
✔✔# of Substitutions allowed per game (men/women) - ✔✔top division club
competitions are limited to 5 subs
✔✔# of Substitutions allowed per game (National "A" Team Matches) - ✔✔12 subs may
be named, 6 may be used
✔✔# of Substitutions allowed (if referee is NOT informed or NO agreement us made
before the game) - ✔✔6 subs allowed on each team
✔✔Mandatory Player Equipment - ✔✔shirts/sleeves
shorts
socks
shin guards
soccer shoes
✔✔Goalie uniform - ✔✔may wear tracksuit bottoms
must wear colors that are different from all other players/match officials
colors for both team goalies can be the same
✔✔Equipment offenses - ✔✔instruct player to leave the field & correct the equipment
only allowed to re-enter w/ referee permission
, ✔✔Equipment offenses (stopped play) - ✔✔if play is stopped to issue caution, award an
indirect free kick from where ball was last played
✔✔Equipment offenses (interference) - ✔✔if there was interference, award a penalty
kick or a direct free kick from the position of the interference
✔✔Field of Play Dimensions (4 vs. 4) - ✔✔touchlines (25-35yds)
goal lines (15-25yds)
goal posts (4ft max height, 6ft max width)
corner flag posts (NOT required)
size 3 ball used
goalies NOT required/referee often NOT required
✔✔Field of Play Dimensions (7 vs. 7) - ✔✔touchlines (55-65yds)
goal lines (35-45yds)
goal posts (6.5ft height, 12-18.5ft width)
size 4 ball used
✔✔Field of Play Dimensions (9 vs. 9) - ✔✔touchlines (70-80yds)
goal lines (45-55yds)
goal posts (6.5-7ft height, 18.5-21ft width)
size 4 ball used
✔✔If a player switches w/ goalie (w/out permission) - ✔✔allow play to continue
caution both players when ball is next out of play
✔✔Decisions of a Referee - ✔✔once a decision is made, it is FINAL and should always
be respected
✔✔Substitution whistle (whistle calls) - ✔✔short/single blow
✔✔Severe foul (whistle calls) - ✔✔long, drawn-out blow
✔✔End of game (whistle calls) - ✔✔3 increasingly long blows
✔✔Half-time (whistle calls) - ✔✔2 long-ish blows
✔✔Minor foul (whistle calls) - ✔✔very short (beep) blow
✔✔Flag Technique Best Practices - ✔✔stand in place while signaling
check hand (correct) before signaling w/ flag
stand behind the touchline
hold flag signals clearly, as an extension of arm
