From: New Ref AYSO 43 [newref@ayso43.org] Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2003 4:23 PM To: newref@ayso43.org Cc: Mark Kent; Ray Cooper; Eileen Gibbons Subject: AYSO Region 43 Referees: Last Minute Updates (Bulletin #7) Refs, We are almost ready for the Fall 2003 season which starts is less than one week! Contained in this message are important notices to help you get started: [1] AYSO 43 Regional Guidelines UPDATE -- IMPORTANT [2] webyouthsoccer scheduling and your Preferences -- IMPORTANT [3] Field lock boxes and corner flags [4] Sunday, 7 Sep has been added for an all-day, U8 and Regional Referee training class. [5] Remember to enter the lineup cards of games you center into AYSO. [6] Field assignments by division and locations [7] Equipment, Forms, Training, etc. Details: [1] The AYSO 43 Regional Guidelines had some last minute, important fixes. Highlights are: a) All U8 Free Kicks are DIRECT (and not INDIRECT as previously reported) b) Balanced Teams rule is not required at U12 c) U10 maximum fielded team size is 9; nominal is 9 as well (up from 8) d) U8 Offside is not an offence; but persistent offside positioning to gain an advantage is a misconduct (unsporting behavior) to be dealt with the coach about e) Made offside officially not a law in U8 but added wording that offside players are guilty of unsporting behavior (misconduct). Check the full document online (make sure it is Version H as our Website update cycle is sometimes delayed by a few days). [2] webyouthsoccer Scheduling and Preferences As a convention, if you are a U8 or U10 parent, please enter your child's team in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS section of the Referee Preferences. For example, "U10B-3". This lets the assignor know to always schedule you with that team. THIS IS NOT AUTOMATED IN THE SYSTEM AND THE ASSIGNOR CANNOT TELL IF YOU HAVE KIDS PLAYING. If you can only do your kids game, enter the MAX GAMES PER DAY as 1. Otherwise, leave it as 2 to 4 if you can help us fill in any holes we inevitably have. We will always try to schedule you to a game just before or after your kids game at the same field. You can always decline games assigned if you cannot help out. If a U12 or above parent (or coach), simply enter the team in the "do not schedule against" list via the drop down menus. The system then helps us automatically not schedule you against that team. The webyouthsoccer scheduling will be fluid the first few weeks. It is new this year and we are still trying to get a handle on the system and having someone other than just Ray Cooper figuring this all out. So bear with us as you may get scheduled, and then get rescheduled, as we work the kinks out of the system and roster. Check webyouthsoccer often. We will try to send a blast email like this one when we think the schedule is settled for the coming week. [3] Field lock boxes and corner flags The lock combination for every field box is the same: XXXX. This year, there will be extra orange discs and cones, ice packs, and Velcro "wrap tape" (for fixing the nets) in the lock boxes. This is in addition to the corner flags already there. Remember, the first home team coach is responsible for putting the flags out and the last home team coach of the day is responsible for taking them down. We keep the nets up all the time for practice during the week and Saturday / Sunday games. But the corner flags tend to disappear so we lock them up after use. A reminder to the home team coach or assistance by you if they forget to handle the flags is greatly appreciated. The flags are pricey although they look homemade! [4] Sunday, 7 Sep has been added for an all-day, U8 and Regional Referee training class. Tell your friends, fellow parents on the team, coaches and others about it. It will be the last introductory training of the season. [5] Remember to enter the lineup cards of games you center into AYSO. Also, print out your daily game card package (as a backup) if you get the chance in case the coach forgets. I will try to get blank lineup cards in a baggy in all the field boxes as backup as well. The region needs those scores, players who scored goals, and substitution patterns within 24 hours after the game. Also, report any misconduct or injuries to Ray and/or Randy. [6] Field assignments by division and locations are: U6 Almond afternoon (may yet switch to Rosita) U8 Rosita U10 Almond U12 Santa Rita U14 Hillview (girls, morning), Santa Rita (girls, afternoon), Rosita (boys, afternoon) (still fluid; boys may switch all to Santa Rita with girls afternoon to Almond) U16/U19 (Sunday) Covington, Rosita, and Almond Field and site maps will be available on the regional Web site within the next day or so. [7] Equipment, Forms, Training, etc. Peter Iovan (peteriovan@yahoo.com) has been kind enough to volunteer to hand out referee equipment and uniforms. If you need something, contact him. Eileen Gibbons (eileen@gibbons.org) has been kind enough to volunteer to handle our Referee Roster. This is how we get you into the webyouthsoccer system as an active referee. Also, she will be helping Ray and I audit our roster for the volunteer form, safe haven certification, and training this season. Every year, every referee needs to complete, submit and have accepted a volunteer form and some form of training to enable the liability protection of the US Volunteer Protection Act. Hence, why we have refresher courses. Eileen will start tracking this down after the first day of games for your benefit. Please be responsive and helpful -- it is really for your protection! Otherwise, have a great season and see you at the pizza nights on Wednesday or out on the pitch! Randy Harr, Asst RRA and U8/U10 Referee Coordinator Ray Cooper, RRA http://ayso43.org/ (Region 43 website including referee pages) http://socref.net/ (unofficial, local website for more advanced referee information)