Minutes from the USLNJ Referee Meeting
Date: Tuesday 3/18
Location: Crow’s Nest Restaurant, Hackensack NJ
· USSF Affiliation – Roberto is looking into the feasibility of affiliating with the USSF for the 2015 season. The reason for this inquiry is to attract more and younger refs to the USLNJ. Without USSF affiliation, the refs don’t get any credit or merit for the games they ref in the USLNJ. As a result, the games don’t count towards any advancement in grade level for them.
Ø Roberto will investigate and provide Pro’s & Con’s to the current USLNJ referee population for their feedback and vote.
· “Rules of Conduct” laminated card – Each ref should be provided and carry a “Rules of Conduct” laminated card for easy reference to the USLNJ rules. No one on the Board was appointed or volunteered to get these laminated cards made up for distribution prior to the April 6th opener.
· Manager sign-off for game summary details - Ref has to get signature, on the team roster sheet, from each manager at the end of the game.
Ø To acknowledge final score
Ø To acknowledge red & yellow cards issued.
Ø To confirm player(s) who scored goals on their team.
· Consistency – Referees have to be consistent in their officiating of the game, not only during the game but also game-to-game. This will send a uniform message across the league. What one ref sees as a violation (example: aggressive or dangerous play) another referee will let play go on. As a result, players are confused with what’s allowed and what isn’t.
Ø Referee’s primary objectives should be:
§ Keep players safe and minimize opportunities for aggressive or dangerous play, which could result in player injury
§ Fair Play!
· Conflict of interest – if it is known, by either manager, that there is a conflict of interest with the assignment of a ref to a specific game, it needs to be pointed out to Roberto so he can make any changes, if warranted. For example, some refs are assigned to a game which has a team they previously played for.
· 2014 Team Rosters – beginning with the Spring 2014 session, each team manager is responsible to print a weekly team roster obtained from the USLNJ website. The roster will reference the name of the Conduct Coordinator, for the division in which the team plays. This will minimize or eliminate any chance of the referees not knowing who to send their game summary notes and team rosters (with the managers signatures) to.
· Slide Tackling – it is not allowed in the Senior Division. The only “exception” is if a player slides to keep the ball from going out of bounds and there is no opposing player nearby that can possibly get injured, as a result of the slide. A goalie sliding to clear the ball or sliding to dislodge a ball from an offensive player is not allowed. Goalie will be subject to the same penalty as a field player.
· Referee contact with team managers – the referee has to contact (phone or email) the “home” team manager no later than Wednesday 8 PM to confirm game time and field!
· Reporting of game results/scores – referee has to report the game score no later than Sunday evening. Any outstanding issues, e.g. red cards, conduct issues, should be detailed in the game summary and submitted to the Conduct Coordinator, Randy Ballin & Dean Trivisani.
· Game Rules - Have to start on time!
Ø Home team has no grace period. If home team has 7 players, game can start.
Ø Visiting team has a 15 minute grace period. As soon as they have 7 players, within the 15 minute grace period, the game can start.
Ø If either team is not ready, within their time allowance, referee can forfeit the team not ready.
Ø Fields have to be clearly marked and ready for play, e.g. no safety hazards! If they are not, the home team has until the designated start time to properly line the field or fix the field problem, e.g. goals are secured to ground, goal nets are secured with no gaping holes, etc.
Ø Cones are acceptable as corner markers, especially on turf fields.