Hello Fellow Referees:

I hope all you had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying the time away from the pitch.  However, the spring soccer is about a month away.  Our first games will kick-off on Saturday, March 31 at the Charles Town fields. More details come as the game schedule becomes available.

Training:
JCYSL will be offering the Intermediate Referee course to all BASIC Referees that are the age of 14 and older.  This class will be on Saturday, March 24.  It will be held at the Pierson Field House at Marcus Field.  Marcus Field is the football field behind Weis and Kohl’s.  The class will run from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM.  Please contact me via e-mail by Wednesday, March 14 if you are interested in taking the class.  Passing the class will make you eligible to referee the U-12 division.

Spring Referee Meeting:
I am looking to have the spring referee meeting on Tuesday, March 27.  The meeting will run from 7:30 PM until 8:30 PM.  The location is TBD.  It will most like be at the Pierson Field House at Marcus Field.  I will be presenting the Annual Referee Update from the Section Conference.

Volunteers Needed:
I am still searching for an Assistant Regional Referee Administrator and Regional Director of Referee Instruction.  Please let me know if you are interested.  The Assistant Regional Referee Administrator would be groomed to become the Regional Referee Administrator.

Interesting Article:
Please take the time to read this article from a youth referee.  Many thank you’s to Dan Cogswell for passing this along.
http://marylandreferees.com/msr2/?page_id=2015

National Games:
AYSO has a National Games tournament every two years.  This year the tournament is in Knoxville, TN.  It would be great if our Region could send a few teams of referees to help with the tournament.  In 2010, I went to the National Games as a coach.  It is a great experience for all involved.  However, referee coverage seemed to lacking.  It was lacking to the point that I assistant refereed two matches until the referees arrived from other games.  Needless to say we can always use referees.  However, the experience of working with other referees from other Regions across the country is a great experience.  I am planning on going, but would love to have fellow referees from our Region make the 9 hour drive as well.  Please contact me if you are interested.  In addition, here is some more details about the National Games. http://www.ayso.org/events/national_games/national_games_referee_information.aspx.

Please keep an eye on your e-mail and the web site as information will be coming about the upcoming season, training, and meeting.

Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League
www.jcysl.org

Week 3 Recap
Again, thank you for covering games last week.  I have not collected the match cards.  Please e-mail me if there was any issues.

Referee Recognition
In this note I would like to recognize referee mentors.  This season’s mentors are Steve Kubik, Amy Davies, and David Brannan.  Referee mentoring is vital to retention of referees and the growth and success of the Region’s referee program.  Again thank you for contributing the success of JCYSL’s Regional Referee Program.

Helpful Tips
Did you know there is technical area (coach box)?  Even though the technical area is not marked, coaches and substitutes are required to be 1 yard of the touchline and can only go 10 yards on either side of the half-way line.  Coaches do not have to remain on their half.  However, if issues arise coaches can be restricted to their half.  Coaches should never be allowed to travel up and down the entire touchline.  Give me a shout if you have any questions.  I can normally demonstrate this better on a field.

Be cautious of calling matches for the crowd.  I refer to this is “ooh and awe” call.  Be sure there is a foul before making the call.  You will hear the “oohs and awes” when there is properly executed charge or tackle and one player ends up on the ground.  I know you are required to make a decision within a few seconds.  Take that extra second to make sure a foul did exist and that you are not reacting to the coaches or spectators.  If all is well, one thing you can say is “No Foul or Fair Play”.  Never say “Play On or Play” because that mean you are applying advantage clause.  For advantage to applied, meaning you witnessed a foul and you are letting play to continue.  More about advantage next week.  You will also hear “Hand Ball”.  First never correct the spectator because we all know the foul is handling.  A quick verbal tool is “Ball Played the Hand” or “Driven Ball”.  Driven ball means the ball was driven into the players hand either by a shot or hard kick.  Again if you have any questions, give me a shout.

Week 4
I will be at the fields all day.  If you are available at the beginning and end of the day, I could use your help in setting up the tent for the referee area.  We have a full match schedule this week.  Please try to cover a game or two.  In the afternoon, we have a visiting U-16 girls team as well as a U-19 match.  In the past week 4 and 5 become challenging for referees.  Coaches have now had four weeks with their players.  And spectators have been to 3 matches.  For some reason, they think this gives them the right to be more vocal towards referees.  It will not be tolerated.  If there are issues, get it noted on the match card or send me an e-mail.  Details of the issue are important.  If it is uncontrollable, stop the match and find me.  I have know problems leaving a match to take care of this.  Please remember to keep your cool and not be confrontational.  It will be tough, but you have to remember that you are the trained professional.  I have requested that board member be proactive in helping with unruly coaches and spectators.

Again, I thank you for volunteering with JCYSL.  You efforts make matches more enjoyable for all parties involved.

Play On!
Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League

Week 2 Recap:
Did you know that all games in the U-10, U-12, & U-16 division were covered by a least 1 referee?  This is awesome games coverage and I applaud everyone that covered games last week.  I hope we can keep the momentum rolling as we have a gooding thing going.

Referee Recognitions for Week 2:
I would like to recognize Bill Lukens and Brian Eddy.  Bill and Brian stayed over to cover the U-19 scrimmage because the U-19 game was cancelled.  Even though this was not required, I am sure it may the scrimmage feel more like a game.  As I was leaving, you could hear the players having a good time on the field.  Thank you Bill and Brian for going the extra mile.

Helpful Tips:
I have noticed during my walks through the park that there is a lot of flagging twirling with assistant referees.  Please remember that the flag should be still unless you are making a signal.  This is very important for youth and new referees.  Referee mechanics is very important and proper mechanics will help you “sell a call” when you need to.

Week 3:
We have busy week and game coverage is looking good.  We could use more coverage for the late morning and afternoon games.  Now for the bad news, I will not be onsite this weekend.  Work has brought me into a facility move project at the last minute.  It requires me to move an entire facilities network on Saturday.  I will drop of the game book and completed game card box.  Those items will be located in the Shed.  I am looking for a few volunteers to makes sure those items are visible on table Saturday.  In addition, those items need to make it back to the shed at the end of the day.  Please send me a note if you can help.

Play On!
Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League

Week 1 Recap:
Thank you to all the referees that covered games for opening day.  It was great to see returning and new referees covering so many games.  I thank you for providing excellent game reports.  Those matches had issues were forwarded to the Coach Administrator along with the reports praising the behavior of coaches, players, and spectators.

Special Recognitions:
First, I would like to recognize Will Craig.  Will is a new youth referee and it excited to cover games as well as play.  Will was covering a U-8 match and the time for the substitution break was running long.  Will proceeded to stop the match when he could and the break was awarded.  Now, for the good part.  What is the restart?  Will proceeded with a drop ball (correct) and explained the procedure to the players.  The unfortunate thing is the assistant coach proceeded to tell Will that drop balls should not be done in U-8 because they were dangerous.  Will informed the coach the drop balls are allowed in U-8 and it was the correct restart.  I thank Will for knowing the Laws, not getting upset when the coach was questioning his decision, and following procedure by noting it on the game card.  This coach is being dealt with as his behavior was not appropriate.

Secondly, and this came from a coach.
I just wanted to write about the referee of my son’s U10 game last Saturday.  In the midst of all of the mayhem related to the first game, handing out uniforms, assigning positions, etc., I did not catch his name.  Hopefully, you have a schedule that will allow you to figure out who it was. He had dark hair and a mustache.

In short, he was excellent.  He took the time, where appropriate, to explain to the boys why he had made certain rulings, and why he had not made others.  He demonstrated legal and illegal methods of blocking after confusion arose on the field.  He helped protect the new goalkeepers who were all running around trying to figure out how to play the position on the fly.  Several parents mentioned his kindness to the kids.  I really appreciated how he handled the game. Please thank him for me.

Who was this referee?  It was our Brian Palank.  Brian has been with AYSO for 27 years.  He is a National Referee and great mentor.

I hope to recognize referee each week.  We always strive to do our best and those efforts should not go unrecognized.

Week 2:
Please try to cover a game or two.  This will be a repeated message each week.  U-19 will play at 3:30 PM.  I will be unavailable to cover that game as my daughter plays at the same time.

For those that have an 8AM match, I am looking for some assistance in getting the referee tent up.  It is a nice place to take a break between games and drop off game cards.

When filling out a game card, please be sure to PRINT referee name(s) on the card.  I may need to chat with you if there is an issue during the match.

Please remember to avoid burn out by only covering 3 games and leave time to take break for water.  Take care of yourself while on the pitch.

Play On!
Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League

Fellow Referees:

Thank you to all referees that made it out to the meeting last week. In addition, I thank you for bringing you volunteer forms. For those who need to turn volunteer forms, I will have envelope at the referee station (yellow tent). Please complete, print and sign two (2) copies, and place in the envelope at the referee station. I will get the forms to the CVPA. This is important for volunteers to have a completed form on file. As you have learned in Safe Haven, this protects the volunteers, players, region, and AYSO. Let’s have a 100% form turn in this year. And yes, this is a yearly requirement.

Please welcome the following BASIC Referees:

John Craig
Will Craig
John Noel
Tim Runion
Scott Tsukuda
Nathaniel Beaty
Paul Remsburg

These new volunteers completed the BASIC Referee course on Aug. 13, 2011. Steve, Amy, and I are working on the mentor program. I will send the list when I send a note about game schedules. Thank you to all that want to mentor. It is important that we make the mentor program a success and grow these referees to the next step.

The game schedules have not been published. The region is still working the final touches on those schedules. I anticipate the schedules will be available in the next day or two.

For the new referees, I have now have your uniform, equipment, and books. I will try to find when your child is practicing and schedule a time to make the delivery. If we do not meet up this week, your gear will be available at the referee station.

Meeting Recap:

All fields are correctly marked, except for the U-10 center circle. This is to be corrected by game day. If it is not, we play the markings provided for us.
The field condition are good. The U-10 fields have some tire marks running through them. The fields have been declared safe by the Safety Director. Please be aware of the potential hazard.

Game Cards:
It is important to complete game cards. If a coach does not hand you one, please slip a note in the completed games card box. It is important to note injuries, yellow / red cards, lop-sided scores, and behavior (players, coaches, and spectators). Please remember that we note the good and the bad. We need to take care of the bad behavior and reinforce the good. As far as lop-sided scores, we note this on the game card only. We are NOT to say anything to the coach. We note if they did or did not change the line-up and tactics to prevent the lop-sided match.

Concussions (Head Injuries):
If a concussion or potential concussion happens in your match, please get the coach involved. If a player is shaking out the cobwebs, looks dazed / confused, or acting differently, stop the match and inform the coach we have a potential concussion. That player is out for the rest of the game. Explain to the coach we are concerned about the players ability to recover from a potential concussion. If the player would get struck again, brain recovery could be hindered to a point that permanent damage could happen.

Headgear:
Some asked about headgear for players. To my knowledge the Full90 is the only approved device. You read more at http://www.full90.com/.

Items Players Cannot Wear:
Casts (hard or soft), jewelry (ear rings, necklaces, nose rings, belly button rings, watches bracelets), hair control devices that contain metal or knots, knotted jerseys.
If a cast has something hard in it, it is not legal. Remember a cast is there to help an injury heal. If an injury is healing, then the player should NOT be playing. If the player removes it in your presence, they still cannot play. If you have questions, please find a senior referee or a board member.

I hope to see everyone covering games. Please remember to cover no more than three (3) games a week. Doing more can lead to burn-out.

I will send a note out when game schedule become available.

Play On!

Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League
www.jcysl.org

Fellow Referees:

The fall season is quickly approaching.  This is the time of year when volunteers forms need to be resubmitted.  Remember, this is a yearly task that is mandated by the AYSO Safe Haven program.  To update your volunteer form, please visit https://www.eayso.org.  Once logged in, you will select from the volunteer menu on the right side of the entry page.  If you need assistance, please contact me and I will assist in this process.  Once you have completed the update process, bring two (2) signed copies of the volunteer form to the Pre-Season Referee Meeting.  Volunteers bringing their completed volunteer forms, will receive a chance for FREE AYSO swag.

Reminder:
Pre-Season Referee Meeting
Tuesday, Aug. 30th @ 7:30 PM
JCPRC Recreation Center at Sam Michael’s Park

Calling All Mentors
This season we have eight (8) new referee starting with AYSO. It is important to the referee retention program that the referees are mentored.  We cannot leave the new volunteers hanging.  Our goal is to progress five (5) of the referees to the Intermediate level in the spring.  This cannot happen without proper mentoring in the fall.  If you are interested in mentoring, please let me know via e-mail or at the meeting. Once mentors have been assigned, we will discuss the mentoring plan.

I hope to see everyone at the meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 30th.

V/R,
Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League
www.jcysl.org

JCYSL.org is proud to announce a new feature called Ref Chat. Ref Chat is a discussion area for JCYSL referees. Our referees are busy during game day and rarely get to discuss match scenarios. This will now give them the ability to discuss virtually in fun, fair, and safe environment. In addition, scenarios taken from other referee discussion sites will be posted. Coaches and spectators will be able to read the posts to get a better understanding of why referees do the things we do.  Ref Chat can be found at this web site (http://www.jcysl.org/refchat/).

I hope all of you have enjoyed a summer break from soccer.  First, I want to thank those who covered games at the Antietam Cup in June.  Next to the home region of Hagerstown, I believe we send the most referees from the area.  During the Antietam Cup weekend, we had a few referees pass their assessments.  Brian Eddy passed his Advanced Referee assessment.  David Brannan passed his National Referee assessment.  Please congratulate them when you see them on the pitch.

Now, down to business.   The fall season will start on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Morgan’s Grove.  The game schedule is not ready and I do not anticipate it being ready until Labor Day weekend.

To prepare us for the fall season, our preseason meeting will be on Tuesday, August 30.  The meeting will be held at the JCPRC Recreation Center at Sam Michael’s Park.  The start time is 7:30 PM.  We do have few minor law changes to review for this year.  In addition, I hope to a least introduce 8 new referees.

I have a few goals that I would like to work on this year.  I cannot meet these goals without your help.

Recruitment and Retention of Referees (Youth and Adult)
Reestablishment of the Mentoring Program
Filling of the following positions: Asst. Regional Referee Administrator and Regional Director of Referee Instruction

To meet these goals, it will take support from all of us.  If you are interested in being a mentor or filling one of the position let me know.

I hope to see all of you at the meeting.  Remember, the meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 PM.  We will meet at the JCPRC Recreation Center at Sam Michael’s Park.

Play On,

Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League
www.jcysl.org

Fellow Referees:

Please read the entire note as there is important information throughout.

A big thank you to all referees that covered games last Saturday.  I apologize for not getting this out sooner, but recent disaster activity is forcing long hours.   With that said, this is my plea for an Assistant Regional Referee Administrator.  I would like to have someone who’s children are still playing in AYSO and is planning to be with the Region for a couple of years.  If you are interested or know someone that would be interested, please drop be a line or chat with me on the fields.

Last Saturday, I left without picking up the game book or the completed game cards.  If you know the whereabouts, please give me a call or shoot me an e-mail.

We have not had many issues, however, I noticed and it was brought to my attention about foul recognition.  If you see a foul, we should be calling it.  However, Advantage should be used if possible.  Do yourself a favor, if you are going to apply advantage the entire Charles Town area should know about.  We should shout “PLAY ON!” and make the arm motion signaling advantage.  This lets the players, coaches, and spectators know that you have recognized a foul and we a deciding not to stop the game.

When deciding to apply advantage we should consider the 4 P’s.

Possession-Active and creditable control by the fouled player or teammate.
Without Possession, none of the other P’s matter.  This is the first decision.
Potential-The probability of continuing an immediate and dangerous attack on an opponent’s goal.
Personnel-Refers to the number and skill of the attackers relative to the number and skill of the defenders at the time of or immediately following (2-3 seconds) the violation.
Proximity-Refers to the distance from the opponent’s goal. Less distance (closeness) increases Potential.

Possession + Potential (Evaluated By Personnel and Proximity) = Advantage Decision

Information was gathered from this article http://www.askasoccerreferee.com/?p=295.  There are many other factors that come into play but listed above are the basics.  In the article there is link to a PowerPoint slideshow, review the show for a deeper look into Advantage.  I am trying to get the article in a format for our web site.  If you questions, please do not hesitate to ask

This Saturday we have a full schedule which includes U-19.  In addition, we have special game that will start at 6PM.  This game is a U-19 girls game and we are hosting Hagerstown.  Supposedly Warren Johnson is traveling with team to help cover the game.  If you are available, please hang around to assist Warren.  I am supposed to coach our girls team, but will assist if the coaching duties are covered.

Lastly, do not forget to sign-up for a few games.  It was awesome to see games covered throughout the day and to see youth referees out on the fields.

Forecast for Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s = GREAT SOCCER WEATHER

Play On!
Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
Advanced Referee
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer League

Hello Fellow Referees:

It is the time of year.  The spring 2011 season starts on Saturday, April 2.   The Gamebook is now open for the entire season.  In the past, AYSO has asked for each referee to cover at least one game per week.  That is still the case.  However, if you could cover additional games that would great.  I still caution all of you to not let “Burn Out” occur.  This can easily happen if you over extend yourself during the season.  With that said the Region, parents, coaches, and players are appreciative of your commitment to volunteer each and every week.  Please remember that we play in Charles Town during the spring season.

The spring referee meeting has been cancelled.  There are no law changes and the fact that I will be traveling to Washington, DC on that day.  I cannot guarantee that I will make it back in time for the meeting.  However, I hope all you will take advantage of the Volunteer Appreciation Event that is schedule for Sunday, May 1.

Congratulations:
John Synder has completed the Intermediate Referee Training.  When you see John on the fields, please congratulate him on this accomplishment.

Assessment and Observations:
I would like to schedule assessments and observations during weeks 2, 3, and 4.  I have the following referees listed as needing assessments and observations:

Assessment for Advanced Referee
Brian Eddy (Referee and AR)
Bert Hoffman (Referee and AR)
Observation for Intermediate Referee
John Synder

Please let me know if you are in need of an assessment or observation as these are the only ones that I know of.

Help Wanted
The Regional Referee staff is need to fill the following positions.  This is a great way to contribute to the Region and to earn service points for upgrades.

Assistant Region Referee Administrator: It is very important to fill this position ASAP.  The position would shadow the Regional Referee Administrator (me) and become the Regional Referee Administrator.  This does not mean that I am leaving AYSO.  It just means I need a break from administrative functions.

Region Director of Referee Instruction: The position works with the Regional Referee Administrator and Assistant Region Referee Administrator to schedule classes and instructors.

Amy Davies currently holds the position of Region Director of Referee Assessment.  This position organizes assessment and mentoring of referees.  Amy has not indicated that she wants to resign.  I am just listing all the positions for your benefit.

All positions and including you are to help the recruitment and retention of referees.  We are falling short in this area.  This all my fault as key positions have no be recruited to provide assistance.  Please do not be surprised if chat with some of you about these positions.

Dates To Remember:
April 2 – First Game
April 23 – No Games (Easter Weekend)
April 30 – Silent Saturday
May 1 – Volunteer Appreciation Event
May 28 – No Games (Memorial Day Weekend)
June 4 – Last Game

As always, stay up-to-date with Regional information via www.jcysl.org and e-mail.

Lastly,  if someone has not told you.  THANK YOU for volunteering your time to cover games and attend training.

Play On!
Matt Byers – Regional Referee Administrator
AYSO Region 322
Jefferson County Youth Soccer
www.jcysl.org