Referee/Home Team Responsibilities:

The YPSL is keenly aware of the current shortage of qualified referees across the country and will continue to work with local referee organizations to create certification programs to introduce new referees into the league “pipeline”. It is the “home/host teams” responsibility to ensure that referees are assigned to each home game on the schedule. 

Game:

The referee shall be the sole judge of all matters pertaining to the game. All USSF Laws apply, except where YPSL modifications have been accepted by the USSF.

Field Inspection:

Before the commencement of each game, the referee shall inspect the playing field and if its conditions render the field unsafe for the players, he/she shall abandon the game, notifying the two competing teams of his/her decision. The referee retains the right to delay kickoff to enforce alterations to the field for safety of the players and spectators, and in accordance with the Rules of the Game.

Referee:

YPSL Referee enforces the Laws of the Game and the spirit of the game, controls the match in cooperation with the other match officials, acts as a timekeeper, keeps a record of the match, and provides YPSL authorities with specifically requested details of the match, including information on disciplinary action and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match.

Assistant Referee(s):

The YPSL recommends obtaining parent volunteers to act as official assistant referees. These individuals should carry a brightly colored flag and will assigned each to one half of the field as they patrol the length of the touchline between the halfway line and one respective goal line. They are most commonly asked to call the ball out of bounce by raising their flag. The final say on all aspects of the game are the responsibility of the head referee. In the event they are not available, each competing team must furnish a qualified team assistant referee. The team assistant referees shall receive specific instructions from the referee and shall make every effort to assist the referee in the best of their ability. In no way shall the team assistant referee interfere with the officiating of the game.

Act Towards Referees/Assistant Referees:

Any violent act directed against the referee(s) will be an automatic dismissal from the YPSL. Verbal threats by players, coaches and parents are considered by the YPSL as “violent acts” and will be treated accordingly.

• Teams may appeal an Act Towards Referee in writing prior to the next scheduled YPSL game.

• A $500 bond must accompany the appeal.

• If the team loses the appeal, the $500 bond is forfeited.

Referee NO show:

If referees do not show up, teams may use substitute referees if both teams agree. If both teams do not agree, the coaches are instructed to contact the YPSL Regional Commissioner in each specific region immediately.  The game may/may not be rescheduled and if NOT rescheduled will result in a 0-0 tie being awarded to both teams. It is highly recommended that both teams agree to play the game with substitute referees from both groups of parents.