Before you head out for the pitch, you always want to make sure you have all the necessary tools and supplies for the game to be a successful referee. 

First and foremost, make sure to have a stopwatch, preferably two. One will be used to start and stop and the other to keep a running time just in case you forget to start the first one. Other important supplies include: 

• pens/pencils
• A referee wallet
• Red and yellow cards
• Tossing coins
• Whistles (and it's a good idea to have an extra in your bag)
• Flags for the assistant referees/club linesmen
• Cold weather gear (hats, gloves, etc.)
• Street shoes and dry socks
• A large plastic bag/raincoat (to protect your bag in case it rains)
• Sunscreen
• Snacks (especially if you're reffing more than one game)
• A water bottle

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he/she commits any of the following seven offenses:

1. Is guilty of unsporting behavior (USB)

2. Shows dissent by word or action (DT)

3. Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game (PI)

4. Delays the restart of play (DR)

5. Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick (FRD)

6. Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee's permission (E)

Full explanation Cautions/ Send Offs

US Soccer and AYSO U12 "NO HEADING RULE:HEADING THE BALL"

1) Consistent with the U.S. Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division players U-11 (U-12 and below for programs without single age divisions)and below in both practices and games.

Heading for players in U-14 is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) minutes per week with no more than 15-20 headers, per player. There is no restriction on heading in matches.

2) An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player age 10 or younger, deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a game.

    a. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

    b. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area, must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

3) Neither cautions nor send offs shall be issued for persistent infringement or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity related to the heading infraction.
   

The Laws of the Game have had a major overhaul in 2016/17.  

For the first time, the Laws of the Game will be published by IFAB, the International Football Association Board, the organization responsible for updating the Laws for many years.  This means the IFAB logo – and not the FIFA logo – will be featured on the cover. 

This is the result of IFAB being formed as a legal entity separate and apart from FIFA.  IFAB exists solely for the purpose of setting the Laws of the Game.

The Laws had not seen a comprehensive rewrite in many years.  IFAB selected retired English referee David Elleray (pictured above) to oversee the rewrite.  Among other goals, Elleray has said the rewrite should make the laws “clearer” and less subject to contradicting interpretation.