GIRLS’ SOCCER MEMO

May 15, 2007

1. OFFICIALS--- You are REQUIRED to sign all scorebooks for both teams in all varsity matches.

2. SHOOTOUT PROCEDURES: Please read the Overtime Procedures page on our web site to insure that the officials’ positioning and duties are done correctly. If the ball is off the kicker’s foot prior to the five second whistle, the goal shall count. Play continues for a full five seconds. If the ball remains in play it is possible for a kicker to get a second shot off legally.

If a foul is committed by the goalkeeper (red card issued for denying a goal scoring opportunity)---a penalty kick is awarded. This kick shall be taken as per the National Federation rule for Penalty Kicks. This kick simply now counts as one of the five shootout kicks. Do not stop the match immediately upon this goal being scored. For example---if on the second shootout kick, the penalty kick either scores or is denied and you would then proceed to the third kick.

If an unsportsmanlike act is committed by the goalkeeper, if severe enough, a red card shall be issued. This would cause the keeper to be withdrawn from competition for the remainder of that match plus be subject to an additional suspension. If a goal was not scored on the kick, a penalty kick would be issued. If the offense was less severe (misconduct)—then a yellow card would be issued causing the keeper to be disqualified for the remainder of the match, but no further penalty assessed. There are no grounds to simply allow a re-kick.

3. We continue to hear about use of obscene language by coaches without any penalty being assessed. Assistant Referees must get this cleaned up and sanction cards be issued as needed.
4. Our ejection list is now nearing twenty for the season----far too many. Coaches and players need to work to play by the rules and maintain their composure and eliminate obscene language and deliberate handball to deny a goal scoring opportunity.
5. Remember, there are no protests in soccer. Please try to work out any controversial situation at the time before resuming play. Don’t be afraid to stop and look it up in the rule book! Once you play on, it is too late to change anything regardless whether the call was correct or not.
6. EJECTION PENALTY---for a first offense, a player or coach will serve a ONE DATE suspension which shall be served on the next playing date at that level of competition. That might be a regular season dual in which one match would be missed and it might be a Saturday tournament in which up to three matches might be missed. Coaches are not at liberty to pick and choose when they serve the suspension. If extenuating circumstances are involved, a call needs to be made to me for discussion.

Have a great final two weeks of the regular season and good luck in your regional tournament. The State Tournament will again be played in Muscatine on June 7, 8, and 9.

Mike Dick

Associate Director