Pregame Instructions for a Soccer Referee

The referee must ensure the match ball is inflated before kickoff.

For a soccer game to run smoothly and within the rules, the referee has a number of duties to carry out before kickoff. Regardless of the standard of soccer being played, the laws of the game are the same. FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) issues guidelines for referees.

Things You'll Need

• Whistle
• Three soccer balls
• Team sheets
• Football pump
• Coin

Instructions

Pregame Duties

1. Check the team sheet. You will receive a team sheet from a representative of each team. The team sheet will list the 11 starting players and the substitutes and will include the squad number of each player. The team sheet must indicate which player from each starting 11 is the team captain and what his squad number is. Make a note of each of the squad numbers so you can identify the captains later.

2. Brief the teams. Before you lead the teams out, you will be given a chance to issue your instructions to them. Take this opportunity to explain what you expect from the players, and emphasize that your decisions are final.

3. Lead the teams onto the pitch. It is traditional for the teams to walk out onto the pitch together, with the referee and assistants at the front carrying the ball.

4. Carry out an equipment check. Ensure that you have at least three balls that are fully inflated. Instruct your assistants to check that the goal netting is correctly attached to the frame of each goal.

5. 

   If the surface is waterlogged, the referee will abandon the game.

   Check the playing surface. The pitch markings must be clear. The pitch must be free of obstacles, so make sure that all balloons, confetti or other litter that may be thrown onto the pitch before kickoff are cleared away. You can do this while the players are warming up.

6. Count the players. It is essential that each team begin the match with 11 players. It is very unusual for a team to field the incorrect number of players, but it is your duty to double-check.

7. Call the captains to the center spot. They will shake hands and perform any traditional or ceremonial duties such as exchanging pendants or posing for press photographs. If there are mascots on the pitch, instruct them to leave at this point.

8. Perform the coin toss. Ask the home team captain to call the toss. The winner of the toss is entitled to make a choice between taking the kickoff or picking the end he wishes to defend for the first half. If the captain chooses which end the team defends, the other captain is entitled to have the kickoff. Once this has been decided, your final pregame responsibility is to blow the whistle to get the game started.

References

• FIFA: The Field of Play
• Talk Football: Rules of Football

Resources

• Football Referee: Laws of the Game