Referees (Officials): The official protects the players and enforces the rules.  The referee officiates the game and is on the field with the players.  The referee keeps the official time.  The assistant referees (AR) each patrol one half of the field, from opposite sidelines.  Their job is to provide assistance to the referee only.  ARs use a flag to signal to the referee and to the players when the ball is out of bounds, when a player is potentially offside, or they have seen a foul committed.  The referee makes the final determination whether or not to blow the whistle.

Officials for RVSC are not required to be certified although they must be knowledgeable of current FIFA Laws of the Game.   U14 age group plays with full FIFA rules.  We do utilize recommended guidelines for modified play in U5, U7, U9, and U11 Spring 2024 Modified Rules .  Training is available through US Soccer, entry level is called Grassroots training.  Please go to wareferees.org for training details. As an alternative, RVSC will supply training and mentoring through the season through the referee coordinator, a board position established in 2022. 

The referee shall at all times put great emphasis on the welfare of the players and officiate each match in a manner inducing clean competition and sportsmanship. The referee is empowered to end any match if in his/her opinion players, parents, or coaches are not conducting themselves according to the RVSC or FIFA rules or if they have a concern about safety for any involved in the game.

If interested in officiating, please make contact with the Referee Coordinator (currently unavailable) OR the registrar at [email protected].   Please ask if you need assistance!

An incident report must be used for complaints or safety concerns in reference to Officials, Coaches, or Members, please complete, rvsc incident report.pdf and mail or email to the RVSC board (directions are on the form).