As of July 2025

Attendance & Scheduling

• Report your availability to your assignor by Sunday night for the following weekend.
• The weekend schedule will be published by Wednesday night. You are expected to work your assigned games or find a substitute if needed. Any changes must be reported to your assignor.
• If you are assigned a game involving a relative who is a player, coach, or volunteer on that team, inform the assignor immediately.
• You must be at the field, properly dressed and ready, at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• Do not begin a match if the field or equipment is not correct. The home team coach is responsible for making corrections. Start the game clock on time and continue play with the remaining time once corrections are made.
• Failure to meet a properly scheduled assignment may result in disciplinary action, typically two weeks off the schedule. Additional action may be discussed with league representatives.
• Mid-week make-up games may be scheduled on short notice. Only accept these assignments if you are certain you are available.
• It is your responsibility to check the soccer hotline or website for weather cancellations.
• If you arrive in good faith and a game is not played, you may still submit a game report. Allow 15 minutes from the scheduled start time and explain the situation in the report comments.
• You are expected to maintain your referee certification by attending annual recertification classes and wearing your current certification patch.

Assignment Limitations

CSC Youth Recreational Games

• Grade 9 referees may only be assigned as Center Referees for CSC youth recreational games through U12.
• Grade 9 referees may be assigned as Assistant Referees for all youth recreational age groups.
• Grade 8 referees may be assigned to any position at any age level.
• Center Referees should be at least two years older than the age group they are officiating.

Conduct

Referees provide an important service to the league and teams and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times.

This includes wearing the uniform properly, starting on time, avoiding any appearance of favoritism, and applying both the Laws of the Game and Culpeper Recreation Rules appropriately.

Referees are subject to discipline for failing to act professionally.

A CSC Field Official is present for all weekend games. Avoid arguments or disagreements with coaches, players, or spectators. If needed, stop play and send an Assistant Referee to get the CSC Field Official.

Accountability

Center Referees are responsible for submitting game day reports by Sunday night for the previous day’s games.

These reports serve as verification for the referee crew (CR, AR1, and AR2). No game report means no pay.

Game reports also support future referee planning and advancement opportunities, including upgrades to Grade 7 status. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

• Goals must be securely anchored, mechanically sound, with no sharp edges.
• Nets must be properly secured with no gaps or holes.
• Field must be properly lined with corner flags in place.
• All potential safety hazards must be eliminated.

Player Equipment Checks

• No jewelry is allowed. Taping over jewelry is not permitted. Medical bracelets are allowed but must be properly wrapped and secured.
• Players must wear safe footwear. No exposed metal or toe cleats.
• Shin guards are required and must be fully covered by socks.
• Arm casts are allowed only if fully wrapped (e.g., towel or bubble wrap).
• All non-standard equipment must be inspected and deemed safe by the referee.
• Uniforms must be visible. Additional clothing (e.g., sweatpants) is allowed in cold weather, but jerseys must remain the outermost layer.
• Goalkeepers must be clearly distinguishable from other players.
• Orthopedic braces must have no exposed metal or sharp edges.

Referee Uniform Standards

• Maintain a professional appearance: shirt tucked in, socks up, proper patch displayed.
• Shoes must be black or predominantly black.
• Only black long-sleeve shirts may be worn under referee jerseys.
• Shorts or pants must be entirely black.
• No jewelry is permitted.
• Sunglasses are discouraged; if worn, they must be conservative.
• Black stocking caps are acceptable when needed; brimmed hats should not be worn under normal conditions.
• Long hair must be secured.
• Do not wear your whistle around your neck.

On-Field Expectations

• Maintain a professional presence at all times.
• Use your whistle confidently and be assertive in your decisions.
• Do not tolerate dissent or backtalk—address it appropriately.
• Be consistent, calm, and focused throughout the match.
• Remain composed regardless of emotions from players, coaches, or spectators.
• Take your time: think, decide, then act.
• Mistakes will happen—learn from them and move forward professionally.

Helpful Resources

• Laws of the Game, updates, and educational articles
• Mentorship and discussion with experienced referees
• Training opportunities and development resources

As of March 2023 – Applies to CSC matches only

Matches follow FIFA Laws of the Game with the following modifications and additions specific to CSC Recreation.

General Modifications

• Unlimited substitutions on any stoppage except free kicks and corner kicks.
• Substitutions are allowed immediately for injured players or after a yellow card.
• Teams may add players if trailing by 5+ goals (max 11 players).
• No stoppage time is added for recreation games.
• Cold weather gear is permitted if safe and worn under the jersey when applicable.

Game Format by Age Group

• U8: 4v4 (min 3), 4 x 12-minute quarters, ball size 3
• U10: 7v7 (min 5), 2 x 25-minute halves, ball size 4
• U12: 9v9 (min 6), 2 x 30-minute halves, ball size 4
• U14+: 11v11 (min 7), 2 x 35-minute halves, ball size 5

U12 and Younger Modifications

If the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped immediately.

• Deliberate header: indirect free kick to the opposing team
• Inadvertent header: dropped ball restart

U8 Specific Rules

• Opponents must be at least 4 yards away on restarts.
• All free kicks are direct.
• No penalty kicks; direct free kick instead.
• No offside rule.
• No goaltending allowed.
• Referees explain all fouls; no cards are issued.
• Repeated misconduct may result in temporary removal from play.

U10 Retreat Line Rules

A retreat line is marked at one-third of the field from each end.

• Opponents must move behind the retreat line on goal kicks and goalkeeper possession.
• Goalkeepers may throw, roll, or pass the ball but may not punt.
• Opponents cannot cross the retreat line until the ball is in play.
• Violations result in stoppage and restart by the goalkeeper.

Game Day Responsibilities

• Arrive at least 20 minutes before kickoff.
• Ensure goals are properly secured before starting play.
• Check player equipment (uniform, shin guards, cleats).
• Do not start games until field and equipment are safe.
• Address disruptive behavior through coaches first; escalate if necessary.
• Referees may stop play and seek assistance from CSC staff if needed.

Referee Responsibilities

• Submit game reports by Sunday night to receive payment.
• Submit availability by Sunday at 11:59 PM for scheduling.
• Availability submission guarantees at least one assignment the following weekend.

Official Laws of the Game

View FIFA Laws of the Game (2025–26)

As of March 2016

Matches follow FIFA Laws of the Game with the following additions and modifications specific to CSC Academy play.

General Modifications

• Unlimited substitutions on any stoppage except free kicks and corner kicks.
• Substitutions are allowed immediately for injured players or after a yellow card.
• No stoppage time is added to games.
• Cold weather gear is permitted if safe and worn under the jersey when applicable.

Game Format

• Age Groups: U9 & U10
• Game Duration: 2 x 25-minute halves
• Halftime: 5 minutes
• Players: 7v7 (minimum 5)
• Ball Size: 4
• Notes: No slide tackles

Heading Rule

If the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped immediately.

• Deliberate header: indirect free kick to the opposing team
• Inadvertent header: dropped ball restart

Retreat Line Rules

A retreat line is marked at one-third of the field from each end and applies during goal kicks and goalkeeper possession.

• Opponents must move behind the retreat line during goal kicks or when the goalkeeper has the ball.
• Goalkeepers may throw, roll, or pass the ball but may not punt.
• The ball is in play once it leaves the penalty area.
• Opponents cannot cross the retreat line until:
  • The ball is touched by a teammate,
  • The ball leaves the field, or
  • The ball crosses the retreat line.
• If the ball is played early, opponents must still wait until it leaves the penalty area before attacking.

Infringements

• If a goal kick does not leave the penalty area, it is retaken.
• If the kicker touches the ball again before another player, an indirect free kick is awarded.
• If the goalkeeper punts the ball, play is stopped and restarted from the spot of the punt.
• If a player crosses the retreat line too early, play is stopped and restarted by the goalkeeper.

VCSL Game Day Procedures & Rules

The Virginia Club Soccer League (VCSL) provides official game day procedures and rules that govern CSC Travel matches.

Game Day Procedures

View VCSL 2025–26 Game Day Procedures (PDF)

Rules & Regulations

View VCSL Rules and Regulations

Game Times