USSF Referee Memorandums

Cc:  Referee Committee
  National Referees
  National Assessors
  National Referee Instructors/National Referee Instructor Trainers

From:  Alfred Kleinaitis
  Manager of Referee Development and Education

Re:  New Edition of "Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game" 

Date:  November 14, 2003

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The National Program for Referee Development is pleased to announce the publication of an updated edition of the Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.  The first edition of the Advice was published in 1998; the previous update was published in 2001.

The Advice to Referees provides USSF referees, referee instructors, referee assessors, coaches, players, and fans a reliable compilation of international and national guidelines on interpretations of the Laws of the Game.  It is not a replacement for the Laws of the Game, nor is it a "how to" book on refereeing.  It has been compiled from a number of sources of information:  the Laws of the Game,  the Questions and Answers to the Laws of the Game, annual FIFA Circulars, as well as other official publications from the USSF instructional program, including articles in Fair Play and specific subject memoranda.

The Advice provides insight into aspects of the Laws that are not always clear to the casual reader and gives referees a solid foundation for making the correct decision at the correct time.  It answers questions whose solutions are not always clear to even the most experienced referees. The Advice is also an ideal resource for coaches and players, to help them understand the decisions made by referees, assistant referees, and fourth officials.

The Advice to Referees may be purchased online from the Referee page at the U. S. Soccer web site.  Just scroll down until you see the Referee Crest on the left.  The cost is $4.95 plus shipping and handling.  It may also be downloaded from the U. S. Soccer website.