As a seperate unaffiliated organization, South Texas Soccer Referees (STSR) works closely with South Texas Youth Soccer (STYSA) to help develop youth referees as well as provide referees for youth soccer games.  In addition they provide certification and re-certification clinics for both youth and adult referees candidates.  For more information about STSR or to sign up for referee certification clinic please click the STST logo above. 

The Houston Dynamo has put together a special "Referee 5 Game Pack" offer that is available to all referees in South Texas.   

A new and slightly revised edition of the long-standing USSF publication, Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and 4th Officials, will become available this month.  Only two changes will be found in the 2009-2010 edition:

• Page 37 (Penalty Kick, Indicated By The Assistant Referee).  The fourth bullet point has been modified as follows: “If referee stops game, assistant referee first indicates penalty kick by holding flag across the lower body and then begins walking toward the corner flag
• Page 40 (Substitutions, Referee procedure).  The first bullet point has been modified to be consistent with International Board guidelines mandating the use of the whistle to restart play after the referee has delayed the restart for a substitution.  The revised bullet item now makes it clear that a whistle is required in all such cases.

Paul Tamberino, Director of Referee Development for the US Soccer Federation has announced that Courtney Jackson, Luis Guardia, and Carlos Salas have completed the requirements necessary to earn their National referee badges.  

All three are members of the South Texas referee and soccer community and STSR and South Texas soccer congratulates them on a job well done!

The first goal scored in the new MLS season (New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders, March 19, see accompanying clip) was the subject of controversy based on the argument that a teammate of the scorer was in an offside position at the time and had become involved in active play by interfering with play.  The goal was from Sounder #17 (Montero) against the Red Bull goalkeeper #1 (Cepero) and the Sounder forward alleged to have been offside was #23 (Nyassi).
 

The most current version of US Soccer’s “Referee Week In Review #3” is now posted. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Paul Tamberino (ptamberino@ussoccer.org).

The document can be found at:  http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_13828097.html

The podcasts for the Referee Week In Review are located in the Sights & Sounds section of ussoccer.com: http://podcast.ussoccer.com/040909RefereeWeek3.mp3
 

USSF guidance for referees at all levels has always emphasized the importance of responding appropriately to serious player injuries.  National Referee clinics in the past have dealt with this matter in no uncertain terms.  A specific directive was issued this year in advance of the 2009 MLS season, and entry level USSF referee training materials have reminded all officials that the seriousness of an injury is more liberally defined for youth players.