- Are there any special rules for MiniRoos / Junior Development League (JDL) Football?
Normal football rules apply except for the following:
- All free kicks are indirect except for penalty kicks which means that the ball needs to touch a player from either team before a goal can be scored; if a player kicks the ball directly into the attacking goal from a free kick, play restarts with a goal kick to the defending team
- Penalty kicks are awarded for direct free kick fouls by the defending team inside their area; penalties are taken from 8m out with all players from both teams – except for the penalty taker – required to be outside the area until the penalty is taken
- Goalkeepers cannot punt kick or drop kick the ball from their hands – they must throw, roll or drop the ball on the ground from where they are allowed to kick the ball. If a goalkeeper punt kicks or drop kicks the ball from their hands, double-blow the whistle to stop play then restart with them in possession with the ball in their hands inside their area.
- Defensive players required to stand back 5 metres from the ball for kick-offs, corner kicks, free kicks and throw ins.
- From goal kicks on the ground when the attacking team last touches the ball which goes over the defensive team end line, the attacking team are required to be 10 metres outside the area until the ball is played out of the area by the defensive team (not when the goal kick is taken). Communicate this to the attacking team players and double-blow the whistle if the attacking team is within the 10m and involved in player and restart with another goal kick
- If a foul throw occurs, blow the whistle and ask the player throwing the ball in to take the throw again explaining what they did wrong with their throw in. Repeat until they get the throw in correct. Do not turn the ball over to the opposing team on a foul throw.
- There is no offside rule for JDL matches. If a player is consistently offside, please ask the player – and the coach of the player if it continues – to encourage their players to stay onside.
- How does a Game Leader use hand signals and talk to players?
Game Leaders should point their arm as follows:
- In the direction of the attacking team for throw ins and free kicks (recommend saying ‘throw in’ or ‘corner’)
- Towards the corner for corners (recommend also saying ‘corner’)
- To the spot where a kick should be taken from for goal kicks (recommend saying ‘goal kick’)
- To halfway when a goal is scored (recommend saying ‘goal’)
Ideally all players, coaches and spectators should understand the ruling of the Game Leader. Blow your whistle loudly when required, speak loudly when making a decision and be confident in your decision and resist attempts from players, coaches and parents to change your decision. When you see a foul, call it and explain to players the reason for the foul.
- Can Game Leaders hand out Yellow and Red Cards?
Game Leaders (and Coaches) are responsible for the safety and welfare of all players but are not able to give out yellow and red cards. If a Game Leader believes a serious foul has been committed, they should utilise one of the following techniques:
- Substitute the player(s) from the match for 5 minutes and advise the Coach that they can replace that player with another player
- If the team has no substitutes, they play one player short for 5 minutes
- Remove the player for the remainder of the game for more serious offences such as striking or for abusing a referee that might normally attract a red card
- Ask the coach to take control of the player(s)
- How do I keep track of the match time?
You must have a watch or stopwatch. Game Leaders must NOT use their phone to track time.
- U8 and U9 JDL Matches: 20-minute halves (40 minutes total)
- U10 and U11 JDL Matches: 25-minute halves (50 minutes total)
Please ensure that matches start on time and finish before the allocated time to ensure that the following match on the same ground can start on time.
- How do I manage difficult situations including abusive players, coaches, manager or parents?
How to handle abusive players, coaches, managers and parents:
- Remain calm and professional
- For player abuse, speak to the player and consider asking them to leave the field for a 5-minute rest
- For abusive behaviour from coaches, managers or parents, we encourage Game Leaders to direct communications through the Team Manager and ask them to control the player or coach
- If behaviour continues, contact the NSFRA Referee Manager who will contact the Club of the offending player, coach, manager or parent
- Document any incidents in your match report which can be emailed to the Referees Manager at referees@nsfra.com.au
- Pre-Match review including communication:
How to communicate with both teams before the match:
- Make sure the ground is safe and free of obstacles
- Introduce yourself to both Team Managers
- Explain the substitution procedures – i.e. players may interchange at any time during the match as long as it is done from halfway / technical areas, and the player is off the field before the substituting player enters the field
- Establish spectator areas which are typically on the other side of the field to coaches and substitute players
- Ensure that players are wearing shin pads and brief both teams on key rules and expectations
- How can I nominate to be a Game Leader for matches?
Each week, the NSFRA Referee Manager (Peter Plant) will send a list of fixtures to all Game Leaders for the upcoming weekend. Please respond to this email indicating which fixtures you wish to Game Lead. Peter will send an email confirming your appointments.
- What are the match schedule and allocations for JDL Matches?
JDL matches begin April 5th , continuing each Saturday morning (excluding School Holiday and Easter weekends)
Match Kick-Off Times:
- 8/8:30am
- 9/9:30am
- 10/10:30am
- 11/11:30am
- Exact times may vary depending on the venue.
Game Leaders may choose either:
- First 2 matches
- Second 2 matches
- All 4 matches on a pitch.
Once all matches have been allocated, there may be an opportunity for Game Leaders to nominate for one match only.
- Do I need to record the score for matches I Game Lead?
Yes. Scores are important and are used by the NSFA for grading and regrading purposes. Please keep tally of the total score using a pen and NSFRA notebook and advise Team Managers of the score at the end of the Game; Team Managers will record scores for the NSFA.
- Match Cancellations and Relocations
The NSFRA Referee Manager will contact all Game Leaders regarding any fixture changes. Ground closure status is available on the NSFA website. Game Leaders will also have an opportunity to join a WhatsApp Group which will provide updates on ground status and provide other communications such as matches still requiring Game Leaders as well as tips for Game Leaders.
- Uniform Requirements
Game Leaders must wear:
- Orange Game Leader Shirt (tucked in)
- Black football shorts
- Black football socks (pulled up to the knees)
- Football boots
- Equipment Collection
Game Leader shirts, whistles and notebooks can be collected from the NSFA Office at the following address – Suite 2, 4-10 Bridge Street, Pymble.
Gear Collection is between 3pm-5pm on Friday Afternoons.
- Whistle Usage Guidelines:
Use your whistle for:
- Match start and second half start
- At half time (recommend double-whistle)
- 30 seconds before the end of the half-time break
- At full time (recommend a triple whistle)
- Free Kicks
- Explain reasoning of free kick
- Indicate which team takes the free kick
- A Game Leader has the option of blowing their whistle when a goal is scored however, they must point back to halfway to signify that a goal has been scored
- If you have stopped a play for a substitution (normally done when a coach requests substitutes when the ball is out of play) and to restart play after you have stopped play for a substitution
- The ball hits you as the Game Leader – blow the whistle again for an uncontested drop ball to the team that last kicked the ball from the spot where it hit you
- Use double whistle to stop play including when:
- The ball has gone out but play continues
- An attacking team encroaches on the 10m from the area rule when the defending team has a goal kick or the defending team goalkeeper has the ball in their hands
- Does the NSFA provide mentoring support to Game Leaders?
The NSFRA will provide Referee Coaches and Mentors for your first couple of matches to assist you.
- How much do I get paid?
- Rate: $22.50 per game ($25 minus a 10% levy)
- Payment Schedule: Weekly Bank Transfer with payments made on Fridays
- To Register: Please supply your bank details to the NSFRA Referee Manager (referees@nsfra.asn.au) including:
- Name
- Bank Details