COMMONWEALTH

SOCCER OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

January 11, 2008

Dear Director of Student Activities

Commonwealth Soccer Officials Association is again honored to provide referees for the Spring 2008 High School soccer season for your school. We would like to take this opportunity to provide you some information that may be of use to you in preparation for the upcoming season and bring you up to speed on the important rule changes and points of emphasis from the National Federation of High Schools. But, first, we would like to remind everyone that we will be holding our annual referee training clinic at SouthCountyHigh SchoolSaturday, February 9, 2008 starting at 8:00 AM. The Mandatory VHSL Rules Clinic for Coaches and Referees will start at 1:30 PM in the Cafeteria.

  • Sportsmanship – We would like to congratulate the following schools for their outstanding sportsmanship for the Spring 2007 season:
  • Northern Region
  • Boys - First J.E.B. Stuart; Honorable Mention Annadale
  • Girls- First Edison and SouthLakes; Honorable mention Annandale Jefferson, Chantilly, Herndon, T.C,. Williams, J.E.B. Stuart, W. Springfield, StoneBridge, and Langley
  • Overall–J.E.B. Stuart; Honorable Mention Annandale
  • No Red Cards - Annandale, Langley, StoneBridge, Stuart
  • Northwestern Region
  • Boys - First Freedom; Honorable mention Brentsville/Osbourn Park
  • Girls - First Freedom and North Stafford; Honorable mention BrookePoint, ManassasPark, and Stafford
  • Overall - Freedom; Honorable Mention Brentsville; Forest Park; ManassasPark: OsbournPark
  • No Red Cards - Brooke Point, Manassas Park, North Stafford, Potomac, Forest Park, Osbourn Park, and Brentsville
  • NFHS 2008 RULE CHANGES/POINTS OF EMPHASIS
  • Uniform undergarments – If teams are wearing undergarments under shirts or shorts the undergarments must be the same color for all players.
  • Protective Face Mask – Protective face masks are now allowed for players who have suffered facial injuries. The mask must be molded to the face, the player must have a Doctor’s permission slip with the coach or trainer on the field.
  • Concussions – There is growing concern over players getting concussions from heading the ball or knocking heads during a game. Referees/coaches/trainers need to error on the side of caution to make sure players suspected of having the possibility of a concussion get treated immediately. Players may wear headbands or head gear especially designed to prevent concussions. NO DOCTOR PERMISSION REQUIRED!
  • Referee Jurisdiction – Referee jurisdiction begins 15 minutes prior to the game and ends at the end of the game..
  • Administrators– Game administrators should introduce themselves to the referee crew prior to the game and be available to assist with any situations concerning unsporting behavior by fans to players or officials.
  • Field Markings – NFHS encourages schools to put both teams on the same side of the field and that coaching areas be marked on the sidelines.
  • Player Equipment – Coaches must certify to the referees prior to the game (coin toss) that their players are properly equipped. COACHES WILL BE CAUTIONED (YELLOW CARD) IF THEIR PLAYER IS REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE FIELD DURING THE GAME DUE TO ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT.
  • Ball Holders – A minimum of two ball holders must be supplied by the home team for all varsity games. They also must be able to keep up with the play of the game.
  • Other Items
  • Time Keeping – NFHS encourages that official time be kept on the stadium clock.
  • Red Card Report – If a player or coach receives a red card, you will receive an ejection report in a format suitable for submission to VHSL. I will NOTsend a red card to VHSL without talking to the DSA or their assistant.
  • Leg Braces – Leg braces cannot have any exposed metal or sharp edges. NFHS encourages that leg braces be covered with a protective sleeve.
  • Shin Guards – This continues to be a major issue. Currently the rule reads that the player’s shin guards must be both age and size appropriate. Beginning next (2009) season, shin guards will have to meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment specifications. Shin guards must be worn no higher than 2 inches above the ankle.
  • Games tied at the end of regulation – All regular season games tied at the end of regulation must play two 5 minute overtimes. No golden goal.
  • Portable Goals – Please insure that they are anchored with either stakes or sandbags.

ASSIGNOR INFORMATION COMMISSIONER CONTACT

  • Miles Kara 703-743-2217Pete Stenner
  • TREO – 703-357-7921703-784-9164(w) 703-791-5963(h)
  • Email –

More on Sportsmanship

As you are well aware, the referee team grades Team Sportsmanship for both teams after every game and reports it into our master data base. I have taken the liberty to attach a modified copy of the 2007 results. Please note that the sportsmanship is graded on a 40 point average divided up into - 20 points for team; 10 points coaching staff; and 10 points for fan conduct. The standings are determined by combining the boys/girls JV and Varsity scores and then the boys/girls scores for an overall school average. For 2007 the average school score was 36.18 and the boys and girls was 33.71 and 38.65 respectively. Also note that red cards factor heavily into the sportsmanship awards process. On area of concern is the number of red/yellow cards to coaches (8/26 respectively). If you are interested in your schools individual sportsmanship points, I will send them to you via a return email. Send the email to

I have also attached a copy of our Points of Emphasis that we give to our referees each year to supplement the NFHS current rule book. Please feel free to give this to your coaches.

v/r Pete Stenner, Commissioner CSOA