U7/U8 Referee Procedures

This page only covers U7/U8 games. See the general Referee Procedures for all other games.

Games scheduling

All U7-U8 games are self-assigned, i.e. they are not assigned through WebYouthSoccer like we do for older divisions.

You are expected to referee your team’s home games by default; your help may also be needed for the other team’s home game if they don’t have 2 referees. So remember to bring your yellow referee shirt and your whistle each time you attend a game! (Home games are the ones where the team is listed first on the schedule)

  • Each game requires 2 referees since teams are split up on 2 mini-fields.
  • The home team referees have priority when more than 2 are present.
  • Please contact the other team’s referees in advance if your team won’t have 2 referees for its home games.
  • If you are the only referee there, one the other team’s coaches will referee on the 2nd field.
    for insurance reason not other adult is allowed to referee a game even if he/she knows soccer

How to check the schedule and the availability of other referees

You can view the whole Saturday schedule by clicking on the Region Game Grid on your Referee home page (see image below).

The home team is the first number listed for each time slot

If you cannot attend a home game please check that other referees will be there. Ask your RRA if you need someone’s contact info.

Pre-game instructions

  • Arrive early. Make sure the field is clear of hazards.
  • Get the game cards from both coaches, mark the players absent that day.
  • Get 2 size-3 balls from the home team.
  • Start on time (parents and players need to learn to be on time!)
  • Synchronize your whistle with the adjacent field so that you both start and call half time at the same time.

Note: If 1 team is short of players coaches must agree on the number of fielded players: the mininum is 4 v 4, the maximum is 6 v 6. If some players are subs they get to play at least 2 quarters of the game.

During the game

  • Don’t worry about making mistakes :-) We all learn something at every game.
  • As long as it is Fun, Fair and Safe you’re doing a good job!
  • Stop the game after about 10 minutes for a quick water break (when the ball is out of play) but do not stop your watch.
  • Stop for a 5 mins half time at 20 minutes.
  • Ask for each team to play against the other one during the 2nd half (coaches may switch players too if it is too unbalanced)
  • Remember to record goals on your game card.

See more U8 advice to handle your games.

After the game

  • Make sure the home team puts the goals and corner flags away if this is the last game of the day
  • Make sure you have the game cards filled out from both fields (who scored, who was absent or injured).
    Most of the time there won’t be any sub.

  • One of the 2 referes must enter the game cards on WebYouthSoccer no later than Sunday. This is very important information to record players’ playing time and be able to balance teams the following year.

How to enter game cards

The way to enter game cards is simple:

  • Click Game Cards under the referee menu
  • Select the date, region 43, Rosita 1, 2, or 3, and then the game you refereed as shown below.
  • Don’t forget to edit the list of referees to add your name + the list of the other ref if there was one.

Note: You could also use this method to self-assign games to yourself if you want to print your own game cards (coaches are supposed to provide game cards at U8 but one is never sure). Just edit the game cards for that day and edit the referee list. Then you’ll see the game on your Referee’s main page and can click “Game Card Package”.

Questions? Need mentoring?

Share your experience with other referees on the field. Sometimes a more experience referee might be on the side line and can assist you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions!

Also don’t hesitate to contact your RRA. It is also possible to assign a mentor if you ask in advance.

Have a great season!