September 2007

Dear Referees:

Although we have many enthusiastic referees on our roster, many play for their respective school teams.  In addition, as with last season, insurance concerns have put constraints on the referees certified to do our U-16/U19 and Division 1/A games (only grade 8 can do these more competitive games and remember a referee must be 2 years older than the players in the game).  As PA West requires we use a 3-man system for all games, we may be struggling to find enough referees to fill all our games this season.  If you find yourself at a game with no linesmen, or only one linesman, you will have to ask the home team coach to find you a suitable volunteer. If the game is between two Fox Chapel teams, and two certified refs are present, then you may do a 2-man system.

As it was last spring, this fall PA West modification to the rules on substitutions remains in effect: either team may substitute at any stoppage in play as long as the players are ready to go at midfield.  Revised rules are published on the web under News and Announcements.  Previous revisions involve game format, throw-ins and clarifications to offside.  Please note these changes.  Because Sunday's format varies with age group, you will need to know what age group you are officiating at each game during Sunday play.  Saturday rules for U9 & U10 have also been revised and updated this year.  Game format remains 7 v 7 for both, and general rules of play remain the same, but a few rules have been added concerning lopsided games.  Please note rule #20 which allows for an extra player added to the field for any team down by 5 goals.

Hans Reppermund and Brian Bacon have been kind enough to make themselves available as mentors this season. That means they will be observing games and/or working the lines with you. Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and absorb their comments. I try to schedule every referee at least one or two games with a mentor, and I think you will see that their guidance will help make your refereeing experience more rewarding.

If you see that I have scheduled you for games that you cannot make, call or e-mail me before ASAP to let me know.  If during the course of the season, you find that you cannot, please call me or Hans.  If you find at the last minute that you cannot make your scheduled game, please call a sub from the Referee Substitution List you received by e-mail with your Fall Memo.  If you cannot find a substitute from this list, please call us and let us know so we can contact another club.  Do not merely not show up for your game.  If you fail to show up for a game and have not given me prior notice, you will be docked one game’s pay for each game missed.

• Please arrive at your first scheduled game at least 15-30 minutes early. Introduce yourself to the coaches and check all players’ shoes, uniforms, and for jewelry before game time. 
  

• Please make sure you are dressed appropriately as a referee.  A baseball cap is permitted as long as it is solid black.  Make sure you arrive with your whistle, red and yellow cards, flags, and watch. ACT PROFESSIONALLY!
  

• If there are any changes made to the schedule, substitutions or no-shows, please let me know so that the correct people will be paid. You might want to keep an updated list of the games you refereed for your information. Again, if there are no Linesmen, or only one Linesman, speak to the home team coach about recruiting spectators to run the lines.

• Please mail a Saturday Report to me at the address below, or download the form from the web and e-mail it to me at spindler@nb.net.  This report needs to be completed by the Center Referee on all U9/U10 Saturday games and sent to me within 48 hours of game time. It helps identify problems and ensure officials are paid properly. Each official at that game will then earn a $2.00 bonus for filing the report as indicated. If not filed, all referees on that game forfeit the bonus.

• Keep these cell phone numbers handy: 412-916-4305 (Jolie) and 412-296-1361 (Hans). If you can’t reach me with an urgent problem, please call Hans.

Remember to check your e-mail and the web regularly at www.fcays.org.  If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to call Hans Reppermund: 412-767-4448 (Home), 412-296-1361 (Cell), or e-mail, u_make_the_call@pittsburgh-usa.net.  Have Fun!