Your assignor is Ben Reed
   Phone: (351) 217-9488 for soccer issues.

There will be (3) workshops prior to the spring season, held via Zoom , invitations to which will go out 24-48 hours prior to each workshop. The date and times for those workshops are:

For newer referees, you might ask "What's a workshop?" These are fun, informal, and hopefully helpful. These are an opportunity to sit in with referees who've refereed for many years, as well as other newer referees and some that are brand new and have yet to referee a game. While there, we will go over scenarios and basic information that is particular to ECYSA. As a referee, our development, understanding and knowledge of refereeing regarding USSF items and good game management is always open for improvement. These workshops will help you become a better and more confident referee.

Workshops also provide you with bonus money. Attend one workshop and earn $1 more for every game you referee. Two workshops equals $2 more per game. Attend all three and earn $3 more per game. These bonus payments are good for the Spring and Fall 2026 seasons. Bonus pay for 2025 is now null and void.

There will be information at these workshops which will be new and updated for the upcoming Spring season.

These Zoom workshops are not conducted by the state (MSRC) - ECYSA runs them. There is no charge or pre-registration required. Just show up, learn and have some fun!

Here are a few things to be aware of for this season:

1. Player & field safety is JOB 1 for all referees. We all know to check the goal frames to make sure that they are anchored into the ground or weighted down with SOFT heavy objects. There is one exception to this and it's in Andover.

   The goals at Lower Shawsheen (Andover Field 2) have the internal weights. They are very heavy. So they won't be anchored into the ground and you won't see soft heavy objects on the back of the frame holding them down. This doesn't mean that you won't check at the field. Seek confirmation from the Andover coaches prior to starting your games there.

2. Player Passes and Coach Credentials - see this page.
3. Uniforms - Some towns (for example, Beverly) will be transitioning from one style of uniform to another type. As long as the predominant colors are the same, that's fine. You may have a team with two slightly different uniforms but the colors will be primarily the same. This is allowed. Let 'em play!

Other items of general interest:

• Need help using the web site to grab games, check your schedule, update your availability, or submitting game reports? Then check out our Technology Tips page.
• Physical fitness is an important element of being an effective referee. The Referee Fitness page contains resources to help you prepare your body for the soccer season.

With the implementation of the new U.S. Soccer Policy 531-9 this season, it is critical that your game reports are detailed and accurate. These reports provide the necessary information for ECYSA to issue suspensions appropriately.

If red card incidents or potential abuses are not thoroughly documented in referee reports, the result may be that sanctions that have been earned and warranted will be missed, and the violators will get away with it and be emboldened for even worse behavior the following week.

Please remember:

• Your reports must include only the facts of the incident.
• Do not include personal opinions, including suggestions on the length or type of suspension.
• A large number of matches are now recorded with both video and audio, and those recordings are often submitted for review. Your report must accurately reflect what will be seen and heard on video.

If you are unsure about what details to include in your report, please reach out to your assignor and email him at benrefereed@gmail.com for guidance.

After all pre-game activities are complete, both teams and the referee crew will line up at the Halfway Line of the Coaches Sideline. Led by officials, all players and coaches will walk across the field and line up facing the spectators, 5 - 10 yard from the sideline.

The Sportsmanship Statement will be read by a representative of the Home team to all coaches, players and spectators. Following the reading of the script, players will perform a pre-game handshake (Hometeam to walk down the line of Away Team). After the pre-game handshake, all players and coaches will return to benches and starting players will assume positions on the field of play.

Refer to the Referee Guidance page for the details. This page contains detailed instructions to guide you in dealing with situations in which derogatory language may have been used or actions considered to be discriminatory may have taken place, even if you did not hear or witness them. This guidance should now be followed in all ECYSA fixtures

• Operating Rules Related to Referees (last updated: 08/15/24)
• FAQ and Other ECYSA Information (last updated: Fall 2023)
• Checking in Teams
• 2025-2026 Laws of the Game (IFAB)
• Law Changes for 2025/2026
• Summary of G4 Rule Exceptions
• Summary of G6 Rule Exceptions

• Getting Assignments
• Doing Your Games
• Getting Paid (Applies to current referees too!)
• Recurrent Training (TBD)

New Referee Orientation Meetings - If you have never refereed any ECYSA games, you must attend one these meetings! We'll let you know when the schedule is available.

For information on becoming a referee, click on one of the following links:

• Why Become A Referee?
• How To Sign Up