Staff Overview » Referee Handbook
From all of us at SOPFC, thank you for your interest in and work officiating our adult league games. We hope this handbook will help make the game a great experience for you, the players, and the Field Managers on site.
SOPFC offers leagues in several formats, each with multiple divisions based on skill level, and our Referees play a crucial factor in how much our players and teams enjoy their time on the field and return to play again each season.
Rules of the Game - SOPFC official rules
Referee Time Management - Arrival, pre-game, start
Pre-Game Chat Instructions - Prior to kickoff
Referee Carding Guidelines - Issuing yellows vs reds
Shift, Schedule & Coverage Info - Manage work schedule
Some of our rules differ from other leagues and/or FIFA. Important highlights below.
I. Pre-Game Rules
1. Each game consists of two 25-minute halves plus a 2-minute halftime or less pending time constraints.
2. Each team must have at least 5 players from their team/roster to start a 7v7 game.
3. Coed League Rules: No more than 5 men are allowed in the field of play at any time in a Coed 7v7 league - 2 players must not be men (the goalkeeper may count as one of these two players). In order to satisfy these requirements, a team may play with only 5 or 6 players - there must be at least five total players on the field though. If any player receives a yellow or red card, the remaining players on the field still cannot exceed 5 men.
4. Over-30 and Over-40 League Rules: all team players must already be 30 or 40 years of age (respectively) or older by the first game date of the season, no exceptions. All players must present ID with age verification upon request by the Referee or staff in order to participate.
5. If a team shows up late, there is a 10-minute window before that team must forfeit the game, so long as the other team was ready at the start of the game. The game must start as soon as 5 players are present; a team may not wait for a 6th or 7th player before you blow the whistle to start play.
6. Teams must have a designated goalkeeper in a jersey of a different color than their own team, the opponent's team, and the Referee.
7. Players may not wear cleats or shoes with any type of metal. (Shin guards are encouraged but not required.)
8. No jewelry allowed, unless it's a wedding band or form of medical identification.
9. No billed hats allowed, except for the keeper.
II. Start of Play
1. Play starts on your whistle.
2. Home team kicks off first.
3. The ball does not have to go forward to start play. Teams may start play by kicking the ball directly backwards.
III. Rules of the Game
1. No sliding.
2. No offsides.
3. No keeper punts or dropkicks.
4. Substitutions on stoppages of play only.
5. All free kicks are direct, except for own team backpass to the goalkeeper or goalkeeper punting infractions, which are both indirect.
6. Five yards must be given on free kicks by defending team.
IV. Fouls and Misconduct
A. Yellow Cards
1. If a yellow card is issued, referee must stop play, and clearly state who receives the card.
2. Any yellow-carded player must sit out for two minutes before returning to play. Substitution for the offending player is not allowed; a team must play down a player for the full two minutes, and wait for your signal to bring any player (including the yellow-carded player if desired) back onto the field at the midfield line.
3. If a second yellow card is issued to the same player, the offending player receives a red card, and is ejected from the game. Their team must play a player down for the remainder of the game.
4. Yellow cards should be issued in all cases for the following:
B. Red Cards
1. If a player receives a red card, they are ejected from the game and their team must play a player down for the remainder of the game.
2. Red cards should be issued in all cases for the following:
SOPFC Referee Pre-Game Chat Demo:
A quick way to improve your refereeing:
Helpful tips even for experienced Referees:
Your nonverbal communication goes a long way:
Thank you so much for keeping games running smoothly, fairly, and safely. We'll see you soon on the pitch!
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