• Officials are in charge and have complete control of the game

• Officials are there to ensure the game is played fairly and safely

• Officials do make mistakes. No one is perfect and it is not intentional or meant to be personal

• Officials need to be willing to discuss privately with a coach a concern at half time or after the game in a polite and calm manner

• Officials! Remember we are here for the children

• You are the only individual getting paid to do a job and you need to conduct yourself in a positive, professional way

• One of the focuses of an official needs to be that they are part of the learning process of these young players and they need to give instruction at times in the rules and demeanor of the game

• Players and coaches need to be treated with respect at all times

• An official’s decisions are firm, neutral and final

• Be sure that field conditions are safe and that players are wearing proper safety equipment (shin pads)