Grassroots Referee Online Course Study
Guide exam with complete solutions
Responsibilities of a Referee - ANSunderstand/apply Laws of the Game
complete game reports
manage the performance environment
interact w/ match officials, players, coaches
maintain physical health/aptitude
Grassroots Soccer Leagues - ANSinclude players 5 years - 18 years
Adult Soccer Leagues - ANSplayers 18+ years, referees are experienced
Youth Soccer (U6-U8) - ANS4 vs. 4 team size
Youth Soccer (U9-U10) - ANS7 vs. 7 team size
Youth Soccer (U11-U12) - ANS9 vs. 9 team size
Youth Soccer (U13+) - ANS11 vs. 11 team size
Before the game - ANSarrive 30 min early
inspect field & equipment (balls, goals, nets), look for unsafe playing conditions
engage w/ referee team in pregame meeting
meet/check in the players/coaches
During the game - ANSensure safety of players
interpret player actions/make decisions on field of play
enforce Laws of the Game
use crisp/clear hand signals & display w/ confidence
work w/ other referee team members to keep the game fun and fair
After the game - ANSmonitor teams as they leave the field
retrieve/return the game ball
verify game data & complete game report(s)
complete an incident report if needed
reflect on the game as a referee team and as an individual referee
It is acceptable to decline an accepted referee game ONLY if - ANSa family member is
playing in the game
, during an emergency situation
Referee Equipment - ANSU.S. Soccer Pocket Guide
bag
coin(s)
red/yellow cards
whistle(s) (around wrist/hand, NOT around neck)
notebooks(s)/pen(s)
stopwatch(es)
flag(s)
shorts/socks/shoes (must be black)
shirts (always tuck in)
1 - 3 - 4 - 3 (Player formation) - ANS1 goalie
3 defenders
4 midfielders
3 attackers
Assistant Referees - ANSwork in pairs (one on each side of the field, move up/down the
touchlines)
Assistant Referees - ANSassist w/ penalty kicks, call for corner kicks, goal kicks, throw-
ins, offside offenses and substitutions
Fourth Official(s) - ANSNOT common part of grassroots referee team
stand just off field between team benches
assist w/ subs, players reentering field, replacing game balls, noting additional time
referee adds
Path of a Referee - ANSreferees run in a left diagonal path to see as much action as
possible w/out interfering w/ the game
Referee - ANSthe ONLY match official that starts/stops/restarts play
Line Width - ANSmust be uniform, no more than 5 inches
Ball Dimensions (weight & pressure) - ANSmust be 14-16oz.
must be 8.5 - 15.6 psi
*can vary based on Rules of Competition
Ball Dimensions (size) - ANSstandard is 27-28 inches in circumference
* can vary based on Rules of Competition
Maximum # of players allowed on field - ANS11 players (including the goalie)
Minimum # of players to start/continue a game - ANS7 players
Guide exam with complete solutions
Responsibilities of a Referee - ANSunderstand/apply Laws of the Game
complete game reports
manage the performance environment
interact w/ match officials, players, coaches
maintain physical health/aptitude
Grassroots Soccer Leagues - ANSinclude players 5 years - 18 years
Adult Soccer Leagues - ANSplayers 18+ years, referees are experienced
Youth Soccer (U6-U8) - ANS4 vs. 4 team size
Youth Soccer (U9-U10) - ANS7 vs. 7 team size
Youth Soccer (U11-U12) - ANS9 vs. 9 team size
Youth Soccer (U13+) - ANS11 vs. 11 team size
Before the game - ANSarrive 30 min early
inspect field & equipment (balls, goals, nets), look for unsafe playing conditions
engage w/ referee team in pregame meeting
meet/check in the players/coaches
During the game - ANSensure safety of players
interpret player actions/make decisions on field of play
enforce Laws of the Game
use crisp/clear hand signals & display w/ confidence
work w/ other referee team members to keep the game fun and fair
After the game - ANSmonitor teams as they leave the field
retrieve/return the game ball
verify game data & complete game report(s)
complete an incident report if needed
reflect on the game as a referee team and as an individual referee
It is acceptable to decline an accepted referee game ONLY if - ANSa family member is
playing in the game
, during an emergency situation
Referee Equipment - ANSU.S. Soccer Pocket Guide
bag
coin(s)
red/yellow cards
whistle(s) (around wrist/hand, NOT around neck)
notebooks(s)/pen(s)
stopwatch(es)
flag(s)
shorts/socks/shoes (must be black)
shirts (always tuck in)
1 - 3 - 4 - 3 (Player formation) - ANS1 goalie
3 defenders
4 midfielders
3 attackers
Assistant Referees - ANSwork in pairs (one on each side of the field, move up/down the
touchlines)
Assistant Referees - ANSassist w/ penalty kicks, call for corner kicks, goal kicks, throw-
ins, offside offenses and substitutions
Fourth Official(s) - ANSNOT common part of grassroots referee team
stand just off field between team benches
assist w/ subs, players reentering field, replacing game balls, noting additional time
referee adds
Path of a Referee - ANSreferees run in a left diagonal path to see as much action as
possible w/out interfering w/ the game
Referee - ANSthe ONLY match official that starts/stops/restarts play
Line Width - ANSmust be uniform, no more than 5 inches
Ball Dimensions (weight & pressure) - ANSmust be 14-16oz.
must be 8.5 - 15.6 psi
*can vary based on Rules of Competition
Ball Dimensions (size) - ANSstandard is 27-28 inches in circumference
* can vary based on Rules of Competition
Maximum # of players allowed on field - ANS11 players (including the goalie)
Minimum # of players to start/continue a game - ANS7 players
