During last night’s chapter business meeting/clinic, we discussed the three elements the Assistant Referee must consider before raising the flag to indicate an offside infraction. The goal of the clinic was to increase the consistency of offside decision making based on the common language and elements of Rule 11. In summary, in order for there to be an offside offense, the attacking player in an offside position must be:
- Interfering with play (defined as playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate) or;
- Interfering with an opponent (defined as preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball) or;
- Gaining an advantage by being in that position (defined as playing a ball that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent or playing a ball that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent).
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Heat and high humidity are a significant part of the playing conditions at the start of the intercollegiate soccer season. While the NCAA soccer rules do not address heat and humidity specifically, Rule 5.6.1 can be broadly applied by the referee to suspend a match for any reason deemed necessary. Dangerous heat conditions can and probably should be considered in this context.
Referees are encouraged to use judgement in their application of Rule 5.6.1, especially in cases where a brief water break will reduce the risk of endangering player safety. The match should be resumed as soon as possible as conditions allow in this case.
Additional discussion and background on this interpretation is available on the NISOA web site.
All ejections in NCAA soccer matches must be reported to the NCAA via the NCAA Soccer Central Hub within 24 hours of the match. Some conferences may have additional reporting requirements. As an example, ECAC requires all ejections and terminated games to be reported via the ECAC web site as well.
Junior College (NJCAA) ejections are reported on the match box score form.
If you have any questions about reporting red cards or other unusual events, please contact your assignor immediately after the match.
From Steve Rossetti at ECAC:
Ladies and Gentlemen: With the soccer season upon us I have a few reminders that we all need to adhere to!
Assignment fee is now due. It is based on the number of games you had assigned to you on this past Tuesday, August 20. $10 for the middle, $7 for an AR, $8 for a two person game. The assignment fee needs to be postmarked by September 17th. A $25 late fee is due after 9/17. Make the check payable to the ECAC, 1311 Craigville Beach Road, Centerville, Ma 02632, Attn: Sandra Hodgdon: Soccer
Cliff McCrath and I had a long discussion about the ECAC assignment fee. He understands it and we are on the same page.
Referee’s contact your AR’s at lease 48 hours before game day. Confirm the assignment, time of arrival, field location and parking, uniform colors, etc.
Arrival at game site 30 minute minimum for weekday games, an hour minimum for weekend games. Important to check in with game administrator and/or coaches upon arrival to let them know that you are present.
Some schools and conferences do not want you to make the decision if a player is really injured and fit to play. Have a professional conversation with trainers before the game. It is not solely our job to beckon them onto the field. If a player is down stop the clock and beckon the trainer onto the field. It is up to the coaches to work within the substitution rules. Make sure that we all know them. If a coach decides to play short in the first half so his star player can get back into the game, the player can re-enter on the fly. Make sure you know the substitution rules, thank you.
Being professional is key in all ECAC assignments. Silence can never be misquoted ! Don’t fuel bad behavior with your own bad behavior.
At every athletic directors meeting that I go to, they all want the same thing, call the games tight, don’t let it get out of control. Don’t lecture or yell at the players and coaches, just card them if they deserve it, thank you. I am still waiting for the first phone call or email that said the officials called the game too tight. I get many calls and emails about officials letting the game get out of hand !
Signing the game book or sheet may be difficult as it is all done electronically. Don’t make an issue out of it. Don’t run off after the game, put in the proper effort. Watch the line after the game.
For all Community College games fill out their “card” forms if they have any. Report all ejections to me.
Report all ejections to me via the ECAC ejection report form on the ECAC web site, thank you.
Contact me with any questions or concerns, have a great season, make the ECAC proud, thank you !
Steve Rossetti
Assistant Adminstrator for Officiating
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)
1311 Craigville Beach Road
Centerville, Ma 02632
NY Metro members should contact Jack Sweeney regarding their local assignments and issues.
The NCAA has modified the ejection reporting procedure for referee reporting. As indicated in this memo, referees will file their report on the NCAA Soccer Central Hub on AribterSports.com using an NCAA specified username/password combination. This combination is different from the official’s personal username/password combination to log in for assignments. You must be signed into Arbiter using your personal username/password before you can access the ejection form. NCAA has also eliminated the separate form for reporting Referee Assault and Fighting. All ejections in NCAA soccer games will be reported using the new consolidated form.
In summary:
- Sign into ArbiterSports.com with your personal username/password.
- Go to the NCAA Soccer Central Hub and click on “Red Card Form.”
- Enter the NCAA specified username/password to access the ejection report.
Please remember that some conferences like ECAC and conference assignors have additional ejection reporting requirements and notifications so please make sure you do all the required administrative reporting. You can review all articles about ejections here.
Once again, the NISOA Refresher Test will be administered on the Testing Tab at the NCAA Soccer Hub on ArbiterSports.com. The 50 question test is now available and must be taken online. The NCAA requires officials who wish to be considered for all post-season assignments to take the test and correctly answer 90 percent of the questions. NCAA allows the test to be taken twice before the imposed August 19, 2013 deadline.
NY Metro ISOA members (including new members) must complete the refresher test (no pass/fail) as a condition of maintaining their “member in good standing” status. All active and probationary members must submit proof of completing the test by August 25, 2013 by forwarding the email confirmation you receive from ArbiterSports.com after you submit the refresher test to [email protected]. Make sure you forward the confirmation email from the email address you have on record with our chapter.
If you are having problems accessing the test after June 1, 2013, please make sure to fill out your annual registration form on the Registration tab of the NCAA Soccer Hub. You must register every year with ArbiterSports. The registration cost ($100 for non-NISOA members) is paid by NISOA as part of your NISOA dues. If you are having trouble accessing your ArbiterSports account, please contact Arbiter Sports Technical Support.
NCAA Soccer Support Contact Information
Phone:
801/702-8022
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday — 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Mountain TimeFriday — 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Time
Saturday — 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Mountain Time
Note: Please be aware that for 2013, there is not a separate test for NISOA National Referees, National Assessors and National Referee Applicants.
Each year the New York State ISOA sponsors a spring clinic for new intercollegiate officials who are already NISOA members. This year the clinic will be held at Utica College on Sunday, April 28, 2013 from 9am – 4pm. Ed Kobos is the primary clinician for this event. The clinic cost is $40. If you are interested in attending, please contact Kevin Waters.
