Refereeing for a new league??

[intechpc]

Hey guys, I'm starting to get more "external" assignments (assignments made by state assignors as opposed to league or tournament assignors) and as a result I'm starting to referee for some new leagues that I haven't previously been exposed to. My question is, what do you guys do when you encounter a new league to gather information about their league specific rules (i.e. substitutions, tie-breaking, etc)? Do you contact the league ahead of time? Wait for them to send you info? Ask when you arrive at the park? Just looking for some thoughts here.

[IASocFan]

You're probably above the level I referee, but I always ask the assignor about special rules (like substitution, game-length, id/roster requirements, and tie-breaking). They should know if they are assigning games or be able to provide a url to find the league rules.

[ref47]

almost everybody has a website these days. most post there league rules there.

[NHRef]

Most leagues have web-sites, regioin x, sub-region-x, super-Y and most state run leagues or local leagues. When in doubt ask the assignor. I HATE showing up not knowing things like sub-rules, length of the game etc. Makes a bad first impression. I have no problem saying "this is my first game here, this is what I read, is it still right", though I ask this of the ref team first

[Rufusabc]

I referee in two towns and I encounter 5 different leagues. I carry handbooks for all the leagues with me in my black bag. I print them off the websites and then keep the pages that pertain to gameday and the referees. I have encountered differences in lengths of games for the same age group, differences in when subs are allowed, differences in GAME CARDS!!! (try to decipher those in the pouring rain!) and differences in pay! I always do what one poster has suggested, I know the rules and the lengths before I get to the field, and then question the coaches as to how I will operate. If there is a problem, it usually comes up in the pre-game. Nothing worse than thinking it is a 40 min half when it should be 35 or vice versa. Last time out, a coach kept yelling to his team to hang on only 2 mins left! Unfortunately, he had his leagues mixed up and there were 7 mins left!

R

[intechpc]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I have 4 matches coming up that are part of 2 leagues I've not ref'ed for before. I've been able to gather much information from their websites, but I can see I'll have to ask some questions. Most notably I haven't been able to find substitution rules for the older age groups. Guess it's a good thing that I'm only AR for these matches as I'm hoping the CR is more familiar with the league and I can learn from him. Guess we'll see.

[LoewenBoy]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I have 4 matches coming up that are part of 2 leagues I've not ref'ed for before. I've been able to gather much information from their websites, but I can see I'll have to ask some questions. Most notably I haven't been able to find substitution rules for the older age groups. Guess it's a good thing that I'm only AR for these matches as I'm hoping the CR is more familiar with the league and I can learn from him. Guess we'll see.
Well, for my money, if there is nothing specific that the league officials nor assignor can give you, default to straight FIFA rules. Most tournys I do here in Texas we usually end up with some Mexican refs (because there a jobs some Americans won't do :D ). The Mexican refs speak little English and the tourny event managers do not translate the rules into spanish, so the refs use straight FIFA. Funny thing is, though most of the coaches KNOW they are not following tourny rules, most appreciate the more latitude FIFA rules give coaches.

[whitehound]

I would work as AR for a couple of weekends and ask to work with a few of the most experienced reff to learn the culture and what they do.....As someone who has moved around alot.....I can tell things are not the same everywhere.