Referee Procedures
ARRIVAL & REFEREE CREW
- Arrive at the field no later than 30 minutes before scheduled kickoff.
- Identify the Field Marshal or person in charge of the field.
- Identify the Assistant Referees (ARs) assigned to your crew.
- Make sure you and your crew are properly dressed before stepping onto the field.
FIELD SAFETY CHECK
Inspect the field and confirm that the goals are properly anchored.
SAFETY REQUIREMENT: If the goals are not properly anchored, the match CANNOT start until the safety issue is corrected.
COACHES & GAME REPORT
- Introduce yourself to the coaches in a professional manner.
- Obtain the official GotSport Game Report.
- Add or verify: Field Marshal name, players serving suspensions, field conditions, and referee crew information.
- Remind coaches of the water/hydration policy.
REFEREE FEES — COLLECT FROM HOME TEAM
| 2026/2027 USA League and FGL West Division Referee Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age Group | Per Official | Total Per Game |
| 9’s-10’s | Center $55 | $55 |
| 11’s-12’s | Center $60 asst $40; asst $40 | $140 |
| 13’s-14’s | Center $70 asst $45; asst $45 | $160 |
| 15’s-19’s | Center $80 asst $50; asst $50 | $180 |
| *Home Team pays the Referee Fees* | ||
TEAM CHECK-IN
Check in the HOME TEAM first, followed by the away team. Verify all participating players and coaches against the GotSport Game Report.
✓ Place a check mark next to every participant who is present and checked in.
PLAYERS — NO WRITE-INS: ALL PLAYERS MUST BE LISTED ON THE PRE-PRINTED GOTSPORT GAME REPORT. NO HANDWRITTEN
PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED.
COACHES — GAME REPORT REQUIREMENTS
All coaches should be listed on the official Game Report to help ensure required background screening and SafeSport requirements have been met.
A coach not listed on the Game Report may not participate as a coach except under the stand-in coach exception.
STAND-IN COACH EXCEPTION: If the team’s listed coach is not available, a stand-in coach may be added ONLY if the stand-in coach presents a current, valid coach’s pass. The referee must verify the pass and clearly print the stand-in coach’s name on the Game Report.
COACH REQUIREMENT — IMPORTANT
NO LISTED COACH + NO VALID STAND-IN COACH = NO AUTHORIZED COACH
A person without a current, valid coach’s pass may NOT serve as a stand-in coach or be on the team sideline in a coaching capacity.
1. PROFESSIONALISM & MATCH CONTROL
Conduct the match in a professional, fair, and consistent manner. The referee crew must maintain control of the
players, coaches, and technical/team areas.
-
- Maintain professional communication.
- Remain calm and composed.
- Address inappropriate behavior promptly and professionally.
- Work together as a referee crew.
2. EJECTED PLAYERS — MINORS
Because youth players are minors, an ejected player must remain under adult supervision.
-
- The player should remain on the team bench under the supervision of the coach; OR
- Be released by the coach into the custody of a parent/guardian.
Do not require a minor player to leave the complex unsupervised.
3. EJECTED COACHES
An ejected coach must:
-
- Leave the complex.
- Have no further communication with the team while the match is in progress.
- Not return to the team or technical area during the match.
4. PARENT / SPECTATOR SIDELINE BEHAVIOR
If parent or spectator behavior becomes inappropriate and may lead to escalation, the referee should stop the match
when necessary and address the concern through the coaches.
-
- Stop the match when necessary.
- Inform the coach(es) of the sideline behavior or concern.
- Direct the coach(es) to speak with their parents/spectators and remind them of proper parent and sideline behavior.
- Allow an appropriate opportunity for the behavior to be corrected.
STEP 1 – COMPLETE THE GAME REPORT
Before leaving the field, complete the official GotSport Game Report.
■ Final score
■ Send-offs / red cards
■ Serious injuries
■ Unusual or serious incidents
■ Players/coaches serving suspensions
■ Referee crew information
■ Any other information USA needs to review
STEP 2 – GET COACH SIGNATURES
Obtain the required coach signatures. Confirm the report identifies players/coaches checked in to participate and those serving suspensions.
STEP 3 – COACHES MAY TAKE A PHOTO
Once complete and signed, coaches may take a photo of the Game Report for team records.
REFEREE KEEPS THE ORIGINAL: DO NOT GIVE THE ORIGINAL GAME REPORT TO EITHER TEAM. The referee keeps the original for their records.
STEP 4 – LEAVE THE FIELD TOGETHER
The referee crew should leave the field together. If needed, request an escort from the Field Marshal.
STEP 5 – ENTER THE SCORE IN GOTSPORT
Use GotSport Scoring Input. Enter the final score, players/coaches serving suspensions, serious injuries, and other serious or unusual incidents.
VERIFY BEFORE SUBMITTING: WHAT YOU ENTER INTO GOTSPORT MUST MATCH WHAT IS WRITTEN ON THE GAME REPORT.
REPORTING DEADLINES:
GAME REPORT — BY END OF DAY
The completed Game Report should be uploaded/submitted to USA by the end of the day the match is played.
SUPPLEMENTAL / INCIDENT REPORT — WITHIN 24 HOURS
Any required supplemental report involving a send-off, serious injury, misconduct, or unusual/serious incident should be completed and submitted within 24 hours of the match.
Complete supplemental reports as soon as possible while the incident details are still fresh and can be documented accurately.
STEP 6 – SUBMIT THE GAME REPORT TO USA
Choose One Submission Method
OPTION 1 – GOTSPORT UPLOAD: Upload a clear photo/copy through GotSport. UPLOAD PIN: 2627
OPTION 2 – TEXT: Text a clear photo of the entire completed Game Report to: 863-595-8692
OPTION 3 – EMAIL: Email a clear photo/scan to usagamereports@usa-soccer.org. PUT THE GAME NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – FINAL CHECK
■ Game Report completed
■ Final score recorded
■ Red cards/send-offs documented
■ Injuries/incidents documented
■ Suspensions documented
■ Coach signatures obtained
■ Coaches may photograph report
■ Score entered into GotSport
■ GotSport matches Game Report
■ Game Report submitted by end of day
■ Supplemental report submitted within 24 hours, if required
■ Referee retained the original
Quick Easy Reference Guides:
