Read through each of these topics to brush up on the new rules you need to know to be an effective referee
​New version of The Laws Of The Game issued
USSF Player Development Initiative affects small-sided play​
Local league playing rules for Fall 2016
New version of The Laws Of The Game issued
The latest revision of The Laws Of The Game was published in March 2016.  It is “the most extensive revision of the LOTG in 130 years”.  It has been reorganized and updated to make it easier to understand.  Major areas of change include a simpler structure, updated titles that rename some Laws, attention to the words and phraseology used in order to present a more consistent and readable text, and updated content to bring the Laws in line with modern Football.  Two new sections include an explanation of changes to the Laws and a glossary that defines important words and phrases that are sometimes misunderstood.  The revised LOTG for 2016/2017 can be found at http://theifab.com/#!/laws 

Here are a few of the more common changes that you should be aware of: 
  • The ball can be kicked in any direction, including backward, at kick-off (previously, the ball had to go forward first)
  • Players who are injured as a result of a red card/yellow card foul, now may be treated on the field by medical personnel and stay on the field (previously, any treatment by medical personnel required the player to leave the field and referee had to signal the player back on)
  • Not all fouls that deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity will result in a red card (send-off offense), but rather, depending on the circumstances, the player may be shown a yellow card if the offense is within an opponent’s penalty area.
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USSF Player Development Initiative affects small-sided play
​USSF has made changes to small-sided games for players age 12 and younger.  It starts with birth year registration and continues with standards for field size, goal size, ball size, number of players on the field, game time, and offside.  A Concussion Initiative and the rules to support it also affect this age group.  The links below will take you to several sets of slides and videos that outline the rules and guidelines for game play and the approach that referees should take when enforcing them.  It is important that you take the time to review this material so that we are all calling our games in a consistent manner!
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Local league playing rules for Fall 2016
The links below will take you to the playing rules for three of leagues who have games in the Reading-Berks area.  You will note that there are slight variations in each of them.  Some are more comprehensive than others.  You should familiarize yourself with all of a league's rules and this year, spend additional time and attention reviewing their small-sided rules.  
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