GiRLS FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Home Team pay the Referee Staff?
The Referee staff should always be paid prior to the start of the game. This will eliminate unnecessary communication with the officiating staff after the game. This is especially important if there is conflict or tension regarding the officiating of the game. In the past we have had incidents where Referee's were not paid after the game because of issues that occurred during the game; this is not acceptable. If an Assistant Referee (Line Judge) arrives after the start of the game, please pay them at half-time or if absolutely necessary, at the end of the match. We simply ask that you refrain from discussing the officiating of the game with any of the Referees after the game.
If a full Referee staff (1 Center/2 Assistants) is not present at the game, do we still pay the Referee's the full amount?
No, you only pay the licensed, uniformed Referees in attendance at the game a single designated fee for their position. Please check the GiRLS Game Chart for the appropriate positional fees for your age group. VOLUNTEER Assistant Line Referees are not paid. Any Referee fee money left over should be returned to your Club.
What do I do if we don't have 3 Referee's for a game?
The Home Team Manager should have their Site Referee Assignor's contact information with them at the fields; please contact the Assignor to alert them that you need officials. Determine if a qualified Center Referee is available, then request a volunteer Assistant Referee/Line Judge from the Visiting team's sidelines first and if necessary, a volunteer Assistant Referee/Line Judge from the Home team's sidelines. Volunteer Line Judges can only make out-of-bounds calls and should abstain from coaching, cheering or commenting while in the Assistant Referee/Line Judge role. A Center Referee should not deny the provision of volunteer Assistant Referees/Line Judges, although the Center Referee may replace a volunteer if necessary.
Can teams play double headers?
GiRLS U9 Academy teams are allowed to play double headers as they are playing much shorter games on smaller fields. U11-18 are only allowed to play double headers if teams are separated by sixty (60) miles or more. The double header would allow the traveling Team to play two different opponents in one trip.
The League prefers that a maximum of two games are played per team per weekend, therefore a double header must be scheduled on a weekend that has no other League games scheduled. Home teams many not schedule double headers with two different opponents as it does not benefit a traveling Team. All double headers must be scheduled with a minimum of four (4) hours between the start time of the first game and the start time of the second game.
In the event that Teams are required to travel over 60 miles to play one another, both Teams may forgo their home field game and opt to play a double header at a neutral site, half-way between each Club's location. The neutral site must be an IYS registered travel club site and participate in either GiRLS, CIYSL or the ISL leagues. The GiRLS Commissioner can help facilitate the scheduling of the neutral site double header match. The designated Home Team (as stated on the official GiRLS schedule) will be responsible for the Referee fees for their designated Home game and any site fees that may apply. The Home Team will be listed first on the schedule.
If field or weather conditions have caused games to be cancelled and the end of the season is near, double headers may be scheduled per the Commissioners discretion, if there is no alternative date (including weekday evenings) available.
How do I report the game score?
Both teams must Phone-in the scores at (877) 844-2818 (Toll-free), Event ID: 3966, PIN: 4444. Instructions on the procedure were included in the seasonal packets and can be found under the "Game Card & Reports" tab of the GiRLS Home Page. This is the ONLY REQUIRED team game report for the Spring 2009 season.
What do I do if a game is cancelled due to weather/field closures?
1) If the game is cancelled in advance of both teams arriving at the fields, the Home Team Manager should contact the visiting team and GiRLS Commissioner immediately, inform them of the cancellation and determine a reschedule date, if possible.
2) If both team's are at the field and the match has not started or is in the 1st half when the Referee cancels the game, the Team Manager's must contact their GiRLS Commissioner immediately to reschedule the game.
3) If adverse weather/field conditions worsen during the match, the Center Referee can end the game at any point at his/her discretion; however the Referee must confer with both Team Coach's. A game is only considered complete if the 2nd half of play is started.
4) If the 2nd half of the match did not start, both Team Manager’s must contact their GiRLS Commissioner immediately and determine a reschedule date, if possible.
5) A forfeit will be issued if a Coach requests a cancellation without the Center Referee and opposing Coach's full agreement that the conditions at the time of the match are too adverse for any play.
6) Teams have five (5) days to agree on a reschedule date, after this time the Commissioner will set the date/time for the match.
How do I reschedule a game?
1) Teams in attendance at the General Meeting prior to the start of each season are allowed a nine (9) day free reschedule period in which they are allowed to reschedule up to three (3) of their regular season games. Each team is allowed to request three reschedules, so it is possible that a team has 3 games they are requesting and then receive several requests from other teams to reschedule, which is why it is important to indicate which Team is requesting the reschedule on the Reschedule Form.
2) For DATE changes, regardless of the Home or Visitor status, the Team requesting the reschedule must immediately inform their opponent and Commissioner; gain the opponents approval on a reschedule date/time/location; receive approval from the home club's Site and Referee Assignors and submit the completed Reschedule form to their Commissioner within the 9 day reschedule period.
3) TIME changes are unlimited throughout the season, however you must still receive approval from all parties involved and inform your Commissioner of the time change; a reschedule form is not necessary for time changes, but you must communicate the request in writing to your Commissioner.
4) Reschedule forms can be found on this website and can be electronically submitted or faxed to your Commissioner. Opponent contact information is included in your seasonal packet. If you are rescheduling a game on your opponent's home field, you will need to work with your opponent to obtain contact information for the Site Assignor. All parties must be in complete agreement of the date/time/field changes prior to submitting the form to the GiRLS Commissioner.
5) NO DATE reschedules will be permitted after the free reschedule period expires for reasons other than those listed here: time only changes, unplayable weather conditions or unplayable field due to weather conditions as determined by the home club or center referee, unsafe travel conditions as determined by the League, direct conflict with State/Challenge Cup games, catastrophic circumstances as determined by the League.
6) Weather related reschedules must be submitted within five (5) days of the cancelled play date. If the teams cannot agree on a reschedule date within the timeframe, the Division Commissioner will schedule the game for the pre-determined mandatory weather-related reschedule dates set by the League.
"Overcoaching is the worst thing you can do to a player." ~Dean Smith