Welcome to MWSRA!
Below are guidelines for referees new to MWSRA. Being prepared allows for the referee to have a good experience and provide a positive environment for the players. Make sure to review the Important Reminders and Rules on our website.
Assignors are referees main point of contact for almost everything, any questions an assignor cannot answer please contact Jeremy Zehr at: MWSRAOperations@gmail.com
Assignors – Assignors are the referee’s main point of contact
- Steve Cassell (mwsra.scassell@gmail.com) assigns youth (SAM and CYO) games.
- Keyan Mohtashemi (keyan7@gmail.com) assigns youth (MSI) games.
- Bob Moss (mwsra.school.assignor@gmail.com) assigns public and private school games.
- Wendell Hughes (mwsra.whughes@gmail.com) assigns adult recreation games in Montgomery and Howard Counties.
Game Assignments & Expectations
- Referees are independent contractors and can work for multiple assignors.
- Assignors should not offer more than 3 consecutive games for referees.
- Referees begin to suffer from decision fatigue after 3 games without a break.
- MWSRA Game assignments are made in Arbiter.
- Referees MUST set their calendar blocks in Arbiter: How to set calendar blocks
- Accept or decline offered assignments promptly.
- Uncertainty means Not Available
- Referees MUST verify the game offered is at an appropriate competition level, accessible location, and available time.
- Once games are accepted the commitment needs to be honored.
- Consistently turning back accepted games may result in loss of future games or fines (see policy)
Preparing for your Games
- MWSRA Referees MUST wear an appropriate uniform for all games, (see the MWSRA Uniform policy):
- A referee in the appropriate uniform will give players, coaches, assignors, spectators, and league administrators a positive impression of the referee. Giving everyone a positive impression enhances the credibility and allows for a better experience for the referee.
- Most recent release of Referee Jersey: (Official Sports, Capelli, or Law 5 are recommended)
- BLACK shorts (ALL Black)
- Knee-high referee socks – two stripe
- BLACK shoes
- Visible undergarments MUST be black, including hats, gloves, jackets, and pants.
- A referee must have a whistle, watch, writing utensil, recording method, coin, flags, cards, and badge.
- Cell phones are NOT to be used as timers and should not be brought on the field.
- Further guidance is found on the Pre-game Checklist
- Referee MUST check the weather prior to leaving for the field.
Reporting
- Center Referees are required to submit a game report for every game.
- Reports are to be filled out as soon as possible.
- League Administrators depend on these reports.
- Assignors will contact you if your report is not filled out.
- Instructions for filling out game reports
Referee Abuse – Abuse is NOT common but must be discussed.
- MWSRA and the leagues take referee abuse very seriously.
- Referee abuse harms the experience for everyone.
- Notify the assignor of ANY abuse from coaches and/or spectators.
- Further information on referee abuse is located at:
- Abuse can also be reported to the State Referee Committee:
Payment
- Referees are paid through Arbiter using ArbiterPay, the quick guide for officials is linked
- Payment comes at the end of the season once leagues and clients have paid.
- For all payments processed through ArbiterPay, Arbiter provides 1099-NECs for all payments processed through ArbiterPay.
- Contact your assignor with questions about payment.
- Payments are handled and processed by the MWSRA Treasurer.
Development
- MWSRA provides Mentoring and Observations for new referees.
- Contact Adonye Chamberlain at MWSRARefDevelopment@gmail.com for either mentoring or observation.
- USSF and the Maryland State Referee Committee also have resources for new referees
- USSF provides “Advice for New Referees”
- A former Maryland Youth referee wrote “Thoughts of a Youth Referee”
Additional Contacts
- Jeremy Zehr – New Referee Introductions and Operations – MWSRAOperations@gmail.com
- Dan Lukash – MWSRA President – dlukash@verizon.net
- Seth Cohen – MWSRA Treasurer – shcoh11@verizon.net