In preparation for every game of the season, you will need certain equipment and paperwork. In the Stanford Soccer Club each team is responsible for preparing its game environment. Compared to other CYSA clubs, you may notice that more duties are required of a Stanford Soccer Club team. With more independence to succeed comes more responsibility.
You should know how to dress players (e.g., shin guards, numbered jerseys) and have enough players and coaches and soccer balls present to play the game so we will not elaborate on that. Now on to the less obvious needs.
* home games only
Week before Game Day- on Monday (i.e. ~ 5 days before the game) contact opponent and verify game date, time, and field. Besides the obvious courtesy and correction of game details, there are also referee and field fees that may be incurred for late game cancellation or forfeit. Also, verify home referee assignments, field reservation, and league website game details (note: sometimes the league schedule and field schedule are different databases...it is important that the information match).
Player Cards - Player & adult passes must be individually laminated. Punch a hole in a corner (careful not to punch out any info on the card) and place these on a ring. These are given to the referee prior to each match both home and away games. Once the game is over, be sure that you remember to pick these up from the referees.
Print Game Cards - login into CCSL/Gotsoccer team (see Club Guidelines webpage for link to CCSL game card instructions). The Home team shall print two match cards. The referee shall record the score on both cards after the match. A credentialed team official from each team and the referee must sign both game cards. Each team will retain possession of one of the game cards.
Team Binder(you really need this) -
Pay the Referees/Verify the Referee assignment - Referee payment in cash or team check (see payment schedule here) (the treasurer can bring this). Norm tries to publish the weekly referee assignments at Referee's Need to Know.
Report Score - by 9PM on the day of the game, logon to report the game score -> Team Staff -> My Team -> Report Scores
Rate the Referees - After each game, team managers should give feedback on the referees. This is how to do it:
Browse to www.redwoodsoccer.org, click on the 'Login' button on the left navigation bar. In the 'SiteName' field enter your identifier (which usually is personal or team name) and password. You should have obtained a login/password at registration, or click here for a login/password request.
On left bar, select - Manager - Report Scores. You will see the completed games there. Click on the Match Number and the game evaluation form will appear. Please complete the referee evaluation. Click 'Report' at the bottom of the form to submit evaluation.
Do your best to remember who was AR1 (coaches side) and AR2 (parents side). If you could even list names in your comments that would be great (e.g., CR = ___, AR1 = _____; AR2 = _____.)
During the game, please note the referee's names and positions. Please pay attention to their performance, in general, and specifically in these 5 areas:
Punctuality= 1 to 5 (20 minutes before, start on time)? Professionalism= 1 to 5 (Treat all with respect)? Appearance= 1 to 5 (Uniform, whistle, signals)? Control= 1 to 5 (Apply advantage, keep match safe)? Fitness= 1 to 5 (Keep up with play, fitness level)?
A comment on the scores. The website explains that 1 = worst; 2 = poor; 3 = okay; 4 = good; 5 = best. For SSC purposes, please consider 3 to be "met expectations". 4 = very good. 5 = excellent/wow!
Their knowledge of and consistent application of the laws of the game is very important. This affects the Control aspect especially. Here are the FIFA rules .
A few tips about evaluating refs. It is harder than it looks; There is a ton of interpretation and judgement going on; A ref should keep up with play so he is in position to see what is going on; an AR should almost always be lined up with the last defender (not including the goalkeeper); an AR his best to get to the goal line when a shot is taken so he can determine if it crossed the goal line or not; ARs and CR should make eye contact a lot during match, respect one another, work well together.
A foul may occur that the CR does not call if the victim's team is still in possession of the ball. this is called "advantage" and the ref should implement this. The CR should let all know this is what he is doing by holding his arms straight out and shouting "advantage" or "play on".
A handball is not supposed to be called unless it is "deliberate". Most refs look for the hand to be in an unnatural playing possession. "Hand" is shoulder to fingertips (but not top of shoulder)
Field Preparation (Home games)
Position Goals, Prepare Nets, and place Corner Flags - On grass fields, you need to unlock and move the goals (they have wheels), then anchor the back of the goal to preclude tipover. Anchors are either sandbags (stored with goals) or screw in anchors (on goal at JLS 4). The nets are stored on the goals; in some cases untied rear sections of the nets must be tied to the goal**. Fetch corner flags from the Flag Box* and place on field. Return goals*** and flags after the game. The location of the goals and the Flag Boxes for each individual field along with combinations are found on the "members only" page of this site.
* starting Spring 2011 corner flags should be available in a locked White Flag Box. This is a vertical six foot box that looks like a goal post. Each box should be labeled "Stanford Soccer Club". The flag box for Greer 1 and Greer 2 are both collocated on the baseball fence nearest the basketball courts (near goal storage). Greer 5 flag box is on the skateboard fence, and JLS 4 flag box is on the baseball fence/first base side. When returning flags into Flag Box, group the flag bottoms together and then place in Flag Box. Jiggle flags as needed to drop into the box. Always keep locks "locked" and spin the dial away from correct combination numbers (e.g., avoid someone taking the lock during a game or thinking it should left unlocked for the next team). Mayfield turf field flags are located in storage locker. Cubberley turf field flags are found in the PASC locker (available on demand).
** starting Spring 2011, nets should be secured to the goals (i.e., not removable). In some cases only the top and sides of the net is secured, with tie straps on the bottom and rear. In the latter case, tie the straps before the game and untie after the game; this expedites moving the goals. WHILE MOVING THE GOALS, KEEP NETS FROM DRAGGING UNDER THE GOAL; usually a Velcro strap or rope is available on the bottom of a net which allows temporary attachment to a higher place (on a goal or net) during movement.
*** goal storage requires a lock and chain. Special Note: At Greer 1 and Greer 2, the storage chain is on the baseball fences, with north end goals to the north end baseball fence and south end goals to the south end baseball fence; during spring the goals are two stacked on one side of each baseball fence (i.e., first base fence for north goals and third base fence for south goals); during fall the goals are unstacked, with each goal stored at its soccer nearest fence location. Always keep locks "locked" and spin the dial away from correct combination numbers (e.g., avoid someone taking the lock during a game or thinking it should left unlocked for the next team).
Other Game Day Volunteers - have available one person to act as a club linesperson at all matches in case a referee is absent.