April 10, 2009

Dear Officials

 

                Just a short note update to everyone on how the season is going and to thank everyone for their support.     Below is a copy of information I sent to the Activities Directors on  the above date.

 

• Sportsmanship –  To date, we have had 13 red cards and hopefully, we can keep the number down throughout the remainder of the season.   

• Reminders
  • TEAM AREAS – 10 feet from touchline; ten yards from centerline and 20 yards in length (same side); or diagonally across from each other (opposite sides)  Note – Although the NFHS encourages team areas on both sides of the field you can have them diagonally on opposite sides of the field.  Please note that there are coaching boxes and if the benches are on opposite side of the field then the coach cannot cross mid-field on their side of the field.  Rule of thumb – coaches boxes normally run between the 45 and 25 yard lines on the football fields.
  • Ball Handlers – The NFHS rule book (Rule 6, Section 0ne) states that at least two ball handlers will be provided by the home team.   Please remind your VARSITY coaches of this responsibility and insure they have ball handlers.  If none are provided, we will have to use BENCH players for this requirement.  We certainly want to keep the game moving so players do not have to waste time chasing balls.
  • Ankle Braces – Rules require for safety reasons that ankle braces be covered (i.e. under the sock.)    However, we have been allowing the players to tape over the Velcro straps or laces if we find then outside the outer sock.  A rule is a rule, and we need to support the safety concerns of the NFHS.

·         GAME MANAGEMENT – Home team should have a game manager on site to assist the referee team with any issues concerning field conditions, suspensions of play, or spectator misconduct.  Thanks for your support in this area!

 

• Other Items
  • Time Keeping – NFHS encourages that official time be kept on the stadium clock.
  • Red Card Report – If a player or coach receives a red card, you will receive an ejection report in a format suitable for submission to VHSL.  I will NOT send a red card to VHSL without talking to the DSA/Assistant Principal or their assistant. 
  • Games tied at the end of regulation – All regular season games tied at the end of regulation must play two 5 minute overtimes.  No golden goal.
  • Portable Goals – Please insure that they are anchored with either stakes or sandbags. 

• Referee Feedback (from ADs)  Note – These are things that the Activities Directors have called me about!
  • Administration – Administrative matters are important, but not something that we want to get off on the wrong foot about.  Tape on socks does NOT have to be the same color as socks.   Captain bands – please don’t worry about where they are worn.  Safety issues are important and must be enforced.   Trivia needs to be addressed via the game report and play the game, please DO NOT get involved in argument with a coach or an Activities Director over issues that DO NOT impact the play of the game.  Finally, please be courteous to game administrators they are not the enemy
  • Game Reports – Please double check prior to filing and make sure that you have the right schools, right gender, right names on cards, and right sportsmanship points
  • Ejection Reports – Again right names, schools, and numbers.  Finally, make sure the narrative supports the reason for the ejection.

Thanks for your support and hard work!   Hopefully, the rain gods will smile on us for the remainder of the season.

 

V/r Pete Stenner, Commissioner CSOA

 

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CSOA Referees - Below is the guidance for the playoffs.
1. We are already at the last week of the regular season and the playoffs begin next week. With that in mind, we need to start focusing our attention on the District, Regional, and State Playoffs. We will be fully engaged in the District and Regional Playoffs with all our Schools. In respect to the State Finals, we can expect 2-5 games again this year. The District Playoffs start May 14th and the Regionals May 21st.
2. Between our two regions, I expect that games will probably be played every night so please keep your schedules open. Assignments will be made via Arbiter, come fast and furious and may be at the 11th hour so please be patient, supportive, and most of all available. Single games will normally be at 7PM and doubleheaders at 6/8 PM.
CSOA Referees - Here are several reminders about the playoffs:
a. Only certified referees can do playoffs (80% test; attended the state rules clinic; and meet the requirements of CSOA).
b. Player safety and game control are primary concerns of the referee team.
c. Please adhere to the Federation rules in respect to game administration, uniforms, and substitutions.
d. Players and coaches must be held to the highest standards of sportsmanship and unsporting conduct should not be tolerated. Having said this, please understand that emotions will be running high on the field, on the sidelines, and in the stands. Work with the players, coaches and game administrators in this respect and let’s let the players decide the outcome of the game.
e. All games must have a winner; therefore, the following procedures will be used to break a tie. First two five-minute overtimes played to completion. Second, two five-minute sudden death overtimes - first score ends the game. Third - Penalty kick tie breaker - Coaches designate 5 kickers to alternate kicks (these five players can kick in any order as long as five different players kick) - if still tied after five kicks, we go to one on one kicks - coaches again designate five kickers (NOTE THESE CAN BE THE SAME FIVE KICKERS AS THE FIRST GROUP AND AGAIN CAN KICK IN ANY ORDER) FIRST TEAM TO GAIN A ONE GOAL ADVANTAGE WINS. (This is different than the rulebook as per VHSL coach’s decision) Note: Red Carded players CANNOT participate in the kicks.
f. Submit game reports for all games ASAP. All red cards need to be reported to me (703-791-5963) immediately in case there is an appeal. Contact your partners, look sharp, and be the best team on the field.
h. Be firm, fair, and consistent in your decisions on the field. Be proactive and use your best man management and preventive refereeing techniques to make the game flow smoothly. Work hard to to keep players in the game.
i. Make sure that if you eject someone, you notify the coach at the time of the ejection and help game administrators or Activities Directors with questions. No one should leave the game in doubt whether or not an ejection has taken place! Cards for bench misconduct should go to the Head Coach and a subsequent card for similar circumstances should be a HARD red.
3. Best of luck in the playoffs and thanks for the hard work during the season.
V/r The Commish (stennerpr@comcast.net or peter.stenner@usmc.mil) WK -703- 784-9165
BE FAIR                BE FIRM            BE CONSISTENT                                 BE SAFE