CoachDeck

Soccer Referee Checklist

Below is a very thorough soccer referee checklist combined from one found on the one of our client's websites. This may be handy to republish for your own club.

Referee Uniform

__ Uniform Shirt
__ Uniform Shorts
__ Uniform Socks
__ Cleats / Black Shoes

Other Apparel

__ Under Armor (and/or other layers)
__ Sweat Jacket and Pants (if needed)
__ Raingear (if needed)
__ Hat (black, no insignia if possible)
__ Sunglasses (if needed)
 
Referee Gear

__ Duffle
__ Whistle
__ Watch
__ Flags
__ Cards (yellow/red)
__ Game Pads
__ Pocket Pencil
__ Coin
 
Personal Supplies

__ Water (lots)
__ Sunscreen
__ Snacks
__ Light lunch
__ Tissues
__ Hand Wipes

Paperwork

__ Clipboard
__ Game Information
__ Payment Sheet
__ Field Maps and Locations
__ Pen

Books

__ FIFA Laws of the Game
__ Club Referee Policies and Procedures
__ Game Formats 

Pre-Game Planning

__ Field Directions
__ Arrange Transportation
__ Depart on time for on time arrival

__ Game Formats and age-specific local rules (ball size, number of minutes in the quarter/half, substitution rules, etc.)

Spare Gear

__ Watch
__ Whistle
__ Coin
__ Cards
__ Pencil

Optional Supplies

__ Ball Pump
__ First Aid Kit
__ Tape
 
Before You Leave

__ Check Schedules
__ Check Email & Messages
__ Check Weather, and dress for it
__ Check Field Status
__ Apply Sunscreen (if needed)

Game checklist
 
1. Is it safe?
            First priority is safety! Anchor goals, remove field hazards. Corner flags safe? Never play in thunder and lightening. Control foul play. Treat all injuries as serious.
 
2. Know the rules?
            Read, and re-read the book. Be comfortable with the Laws, and be ready for the odd situations.
 
3 Uniform and gear?
            Show respect for the players and the game by arriving in the complete uniform. What to bring? Watch, whistle, pencil, paper, coins, water, jacket.
 
4. Field inspection?
            Check goals, nets, corner flags (cones), proper lines, holes, rocks, sticks, glass. Check field even if another game has been played before yours.
 
5. Players?
            No jewelry! No casts! No Metal hair clips. Nothing dangerous, at all, ever!
 
6. Start on time?
            Check teams and pass cards early enough to get started on time. Previous game not finished? Check teams and have coin toss to the side of the field.
 
7. Pre-game speech?
They don’t need one! Ask if they have questions. Tell about anything unusual (like which lines you are using) and tell them enjoy the game. Never threaten “if you do this, I’ll do that”….
 
8. Strong signals?
            Let everyone know what you call! Loud whistle, strong arm signals, clear voice.
 
9. Foul play?
            Bring play under control early, players will be testing to see what you let them get away with early and escalate from there. Players crash into one another? Blow the whistle. Stop fouls!
 
10. File Game report?
            Don’t put it off, file reports the same day.

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