2025 Pot O' Gold Tournament Referee Instructions

1) Please make sure that you check in at the Referee Tent at least 30 minutes before each of your assigned times. Print your name in the appropriate 10U, 12U, or 14U Team Referee Sign-In Book for each assignment, and initial by your name on the Referee Schedule.

2) Pot O' Gold referees are expected to arrive at the Referee Tent in proper uniform (yellow jersey, black shorts, black socks, and black shoes) and properly equipped (AYSO badge, whistle, watch).

3) Check back at the Referee Tent after each assignment, to turn in game cards, complete any paperwork and check on further assignments.

4) Referee shirts, coins, and refreshments will be distributed after you have completed your 1st assignment (whether it is a match or standby assignment).

5) All matches are full length (10U = 25 minute halves, 12U = 30, 14U = 35). All matches must start and finish on time. If a team is not on the field and ready to play five (5) minutes after the scheduled start time, the game will be considered a forfeit.

6) 10U matches are 7 v 7 (minimum 5 to play); 12U are 9 v 9 (minimum 6 to play); all others are 11 v 11 (minimum 7 to play).

7) In the event of a uniform color conflict, the home team will change jerseys or wear pinnies over their jerseys. The home team will also provide the match ball. The home team is on the North (Janss Road) or West (freeway) side of the field.

8) Referees should conduct a standard AYSO pregame: Field inspection, player inspection, instructions and coin toss.
For each game: each Team's coach will provide a Game Card to the referee crew prior to the start of the game.  Every card should have  stamp on it, indicating that the Team's roster has been checked-in and verified by the Tournament staff prior to play. In case of disputes over player safety issues, the Tournament Referee Administrator or his designee shall make the final decision.

9) In the event of inclement weather, player and referee uniform requirements may be modified to allow for rain and/or cold weather clothing.

10) Substitutions:

• All players in attendance at their team’s game, and in uniform, must participate and play at least one half of the game unless the player is ill or injured.
• Approximately half way through each half of the game, the referee will halt play and ask for substitutions. The clock will NOT be stopped at this time. Additional substitutions may be made during the half-time stoppage. This applies to ALL divisions in the tournament.
• Players may be substituted due to injury, and the injured player may not return to the field until the beginning of the next authorized substitution. However, if no other player was sent to substitute for the injured player (i.e., the team is playing a player short), then the player may return to play as soon as recognized by the referee.
• All substitutions must be recognized by the referee.

11) All non-Championship games may end in a tie, including Divisions with 5-team brackets.  In a 5-team bracket, each team plays 4 games; there is no 1st & 3rd place game.

12) Championship Games - Overtime:

• If the game is tied at the conclusion of regulation play, the referees will take a three (3) minute break for a coin toss, with the team which wins the toss electing either to kick off or choosing which goal it will attack.
• There will be one ten (10) minute overtime period consisting of two five (5) minute halves (no sudden victory). There will be a stoppage of play at the end of the first five (5) minutes just long enough for the teams to switch ends of the field and make substitutions.
• If the game remains tied at the end of overtime, the winner will be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark. Only players on the field at the conclusion of overtime may participate in the taking of the kicks.

13) After the match ends and the teams have left the field, make sure both Game Cards are signed by all 3 referees and have the following information filled out correctly: Date, scheduled start time, field #, half-time score and final score. Please indicate the teams by TEAM NUMBER (e.g. A1, B7, etc.) and NOT by color or Region. Several Regions send multiple teams and the Tournament staff rely on the TEAM NUMBER to track them correctly. Turn in the completed Game Cards  directly at the Ref Tent.

14) All Cautions and Send-Offs must be noted on the game cards as they can potentially affect the standings. A Misconduct Report must also be completed and turned in the Ref Tent. Report forms are available at the Ref Tent.

For questions or additional information contact Chuck Huffer.

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