Referee & Goal Box Warm Up Info

Referee Guidelines 
1.   General treatment of refs by coaches and parents/sideline fans. This is reviewed every year in the Salina Soccer Club mandatory coaches and managers meeting because it is something I feel very strongly about.   There is to be no verbal or physical abuse of our refs, and I am VERY protective of them, because if we can't keep a good sized and quality ref pool we will not be able to run a league.  If you have never been part of running a league or a tournament then you do not understand how important this issue is, if you have I know you are agreeing with me right now.  I have received comments from refs and fans about certain coaches already, and how they are constantly "on" a ref and/or "riding" a ref with comments about how that ref is calling or not calling in a game.  I want to emphasize, no ref is perfect, there will be mistakes.  Please refrain from yelling at the refs in an unprofessional manor, remind your fans and parents also.  DO NOT APPROACH A REF AT ANY POINT IN TIME DURING OR AFTER THE GAME.   If you are in the middle of a game that you believe is being called unfairly or not according to the rules please send an assistant coach or parent to find either the Ref assignor or the Field Marshal and we will get someone to observe the game.   If after the game you have a complaint, please do not approach the ref team, come and find the ref assignor or the Field Marshal, they will either assistant you or find some one who can assist you.  If a coach gets abusive or is continually riding a ref during a game and it is brought to my attention and I observe inappropriate actions or language towards a ref by that coach, I will pull the coaches card for the purposes of league play and remove him from the bench until such time he proves to me he will be under control on the bench.   The minimum will be removal for the game observed, the maximum will be determined on a case by case basis, but could result in not allowing a coach to participate in our league.  

Goal Box Warm Up
2.  Practicing/warming up in the goal box, or six box.  This complex is used year round and with the size of the league now it is not always possible to rest fields the way they need.  Given this if we get a rough spot on a field it is very difficult, if not impossible to ever get that spot back to good condition.   The most difficult spots on a soccer field to recover are the goal boxes and specifically the goal line in the goal where the Keepers spend so much time standing, walking and wearing it out.  All we ask is the you keep players from standing or directly running into to shoot from the 6 box area.   Please keep your goalies from standing anywhere in the 6 box or the goal line in goal.   They can move slightly above the Goal Box and have shots taken towards them.  I also do not mind if a coach stands back in the goal, off the goal line and kicks or removes the balls from the goal.   I just want to limit how much standing and running into the goal box is taking place.  I appreciate the fact that some of you might not like this because how you have your pregame warm up set up, but if it continues to be a problem then I will not only limit the 6 box, but the entire penalty box area so that all warm up takes place in the middle portion of the field.  I do not want to do this, but will do what ever is necessary to protect our fields.  I appreciate your cooperation on this matter! 

Ref Assignor: Doug Schmitz       League Director: (me) Dave Ouderkirk

With all that said, I do want to emphasize we very much want you to bring complaints or suggestions to us!  It is the primary way we can  instruct and improve our ref's and make our league a better experience for all.  We can't possibly observe every game going on so we do need feed back and suggestions.  Both Doug and Dave are approachable and available, we will not dismiss any complaint and will use all information as a way to improve how the league is operated.  Please bring us suggestions, lets just do it with the understanding that nothing is perfect and we are all working for a better league experience.  Patience and understanding are always welcome.