Wisconsin Program for Referee Development

8/1/2009 - Substitution Procedures in Wisconsin -

Referees: You may wish to print this out and bring it with you to your games in case of confusion with the new substitution procedures in Wisconsin. Referees are encouraged to briefly discuss this with both coaches prior to the beginning of each match early in the season to avoid confusion during play.

Substitution Rule Change – Effective August 1st, 2009 The WYSA Board of Directors at its June 2009 meeting modified the "at any stoppage" substitution rule enacted for the 2008-2009 soccer season. The change in the substitution rule pertains to all leagues and tournaments, with the exception of the WYSA State Championship Tournament. The modification to the substitution rule reads as following: Substitutions may be made prior to a throw-in in favor of your team, prior to a goal kick by either team, following a goal by either team, following an injury to a player from either team or at half time. Substitutions may also be made for your team on the opposing team’s throw-in if the opposing team also has a player at the half-way line. This rule is effective for the 2009-2010 soccer season beginning August 1st, 2009.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN WISCONSIN
Q. Can a team substitute while the ball is in play (i.e. on the fly)?
A. NO! Substitutions can only take place during a stoppage of play.

Q. Can a referee deny a substitution request?
A. No, assuming all of the procedural requirements (see Law 3 below) have been met. However, if the substitutes are not ready when the game is stopped, the requirements have not been met. This is particularly important to recognize when a team wishes to take a quick restart. See 3.5 below from the ADVICE TO REFEREES ON THE LAWS OF THE GAME published by U.S. Soccer Federation.

FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME
LAW 3 – The Number of Players
Substitution Procedure
To replace a player by a substitution, the following conditions must be observed:

the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made
a substitute only enters the field of play after the player is being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
a substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced ceases to be a player
a player who has been replaced take no further part in the match (PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT APPLICABLE TO YOUTH OR AMATEUR GAMES IN WISCONSIN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED BY THE COMPETITION RULES SUCH AS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – YOUTH AND AMATEUR GAMES PERMIT UNLIMITED SUBSTITUTIONS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED IN COMPETITION RULES)
all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not

ADVICE TO REFEREE ON THE LAWS OF THE GAME
3.5 PREVENTING DELAY DURING SUBSTITUTION
Referees should prevent unnecessary delays due to the substitution process. One source of delay is a request for a substitution that occurs just as a player starts to put the ball back into play. This often (incorrectly) results in the restart being called back and retaken. Another common source of delay is a substitute who is not prepared to take the field when the request to substitute is made. In each case, the referee should order play to be restarted despite the request and inform the coach that the substitution can be made at the next opportunity. The referee shall not prevent a team from restarting play if the substitute had not reported to the appropriate official before play stopped.

State Referee Committee
Joseph Krzyzaniak, State Referee Administrator
Sue Walter, State Youth Referee Administrator
Thomas Mesalk, State Director of Assessment
Bill Vanasse, State Director of Instruction
Paul Beck, State Assignment Coordinator

8/1/2009 - Substitution Procedures in Wisconsin - 2009 -

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN WISCONSIN
Q. Can a team substitute while the ball is in play (i.e. on the fly)?
A. NO! Substitutions can only take place during a stoppage of play.

FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME
LAW 3 – The Number of Players
Substitution Procedure
To replace a player by a substitution, the following conditions must be observed:

the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made
a substitute only enters the field of play after the player is being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
a substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced ceases to be a player
a player who has been replaced take no further part in the match (PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT APPLICABLE TO YOUTH OR AMATEUR GAMES IN WISCONSIN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED BY THE COMPETITION RULES SUCH AS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – YOUTH AND AMATEUR GAMES PERMIT UNLIMITED SUBSTITUTIONS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED IN COMPETITION RULES)
all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not

4/13/2009 - Goal & Field Safety Reminder -

As we progress further into spring and the start of the new soccer season, please remind your coaches and referees to inspect, BEFORE EVERY PRACTICE, TRAINING ACTIVITY, AND GAME (1) all goal posts and nets for safety, that they are properly anchored and secured, and (2) the field and areas around the field that is being used. For further information, please see the US Youth Soccer website, http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/story.asp?story_id=619, or that of your State Association.

Thanks and have a great season!

Jim Cosgrove, US Youth Soccer

1/12/2009 - Margaret Domka Appointed to FIFA Panel -

The Wisconsin Program for Referee Development is pleased to announce that Margaret Domka, has been appointed to the FIFA Panel of International Referees. She joins only three other women from the USA on the international list and is eligible to referee international soccer matches. Marge began officiating soccer over 15 years ago. She started much like the rest of us, working a few youth tournaments every summer. While at one of the tournaments, Randy Davis, her local mentor and assessor, asked her to consider attending the Wisconsin Youth State Cup.

Margaret has represented both Wisconsin and US Soccer in the most professional manner while demonstrating a willingness to help assignors cover games without hesitation, no matter the age level or competition. She has successfully mentored youth referees at local and regional level competitions. Margaret also serves as a referee instructor, training brand new referees on how to officiate soccer. She teaches courses in both English and Spanish. As a referee, Margaret does not bring attention to herself, or attention to the “Big Games” that she has done, or where she has traveled to do games. She proudly lets her performance speak for itself, and is meek and humble when she is congratulated for officiating some very high level matches. Margaret has earned the respect of her fellow referees, assignors, administrators, coaches, and most importantly, the players that she has had the pleasure of refereeing.

Please continue your support of Marge’s efforts as she provides to the rest of the world her service to the game in the most professional manner, developed back here level in Wisconsin.

12/1/2008 - Thank You Jonathan Meersman! - Just 8 short years ago a young man, with a great deal of potential as a referee, stepped forward to accept the position of State Director of Instruction for the state of Wisconsin. What emerged then was the growth of the State Referee Committee into a viable program for the referees registering here. But more important was the growth of our Instruction program into one envied by many other states nationwide. Consistent, updated referee training methods utilizing current technology quickly realized growth in numbers, as well as retention, which increased individual opportunity for development of individuals to a higher level.

Jonathan’s innovative methods brought consistency from the classroom to the playing field – new wave instruction – Instructors and Assessors meeting annually together in the same room. Mentoring started with Instructors and was reinforced on the field by Assessors, again bringing recognition from the National Referee Program who initiated this format in many other states as well as regionally. Development of our web site as an assistant to all those that served as an Instructor, Assessor, Assignor, Referee, or anyone interested in the game that was looking for information. Jonathan is WISREF, a teacher, a father, a husband, and a friend. He steps aside now as SDI and Referee to enjoy the game from a different prospective – a fan. All your referee friends will miss you, but will not forget all you have done for all of us. The Wisconsin Referee Development Program wishes you and your family all the best and send you our unending gratitude for all your efforts.

Posted by: Joe Krzyzaniak, State Referee Administrator