Category:RAP/Content

Respect the Call

Referee Abuse Prevention Policy (US Soccer Policy 531-9 and AYSO National Policy Article Nine, I.) is designed to make youth and amateur matches safer, more fun, and more empowering for everyone involved. Referee abuse will not be tolerated. We're asking everyone to do their part by knowing the rules, reporting referee abuse, and embodying behaviors that represent the best of us.

• US Soccer: Respect the Call

• Penalty Summary for RAP sanctions under Policy 531.9 > Referee_Abuse_Policy_531-9_Penalty Summary_2122025.pdf

• Additional Videos
  • Part I: Knowing the Line – Emotional Outburst vs. Dissent
  • Part II: Step In With Confidence – Responding to dissent with clarity
  • Part III: When It Crosses the Line – Dissent vs. Abusive or Offensive Behavior

• Penalty Summary

Referee Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) : A How-To Guide for Policy, People, Process, Procedures & Protocols

It is strongly recommended that the Referee Abuse Program be administered by each Area for all events reported in that Area and the included Regions.

A RAPP Disciplinary Panel comprised of the ARA, ACA and a “neutral” party selected by the Area Director should, based upon input from a RAPP Administrator, determine sanctions for referee abuse violations in accordance with the RAP Program Penalty Guidelines.

Due process is available to anyone against whom sanctions are decided through the Area Director.

Sanctions are enforced by the Regional Commissioner (RC) or Area Director (AD).

RAPP People: Roles

• Referee: Reports potential abuse using a Referee Report for players or team officials or an Incident Report for spectators.

• RAPP Administrator: Manages implementation/enforcement of RAP Program throughout the Area. Provides investigatory work, documentation and recommended actions to the RAPP Disciplinary Panel.

• RAPP Disciplinary Panel: Based upon input from the RAPP Administrator, it determines sanctions for referee abuse violations in accordance with the RAP Program guidelines (with potential enhancements at the discretion of the Area Executive Board, i.e., ARA and RCs). Comprised of the ARA, ACA and a “neutral” party selected by the Area Director

• Regional Commissioner (RC) or Area Director (AD): Supports coach, referee and spectator education. Enforces sanctions from the RAPP Disciplinary Panel.

• Regional Referee Administrators (RRAs) and Area Referee Administrator (ARA): Support referee education and compliance with RAP Program protocols.

• Area Coach Administrator (ACA): Supports coach education and compliance with the RAP Program.

NOTE: RAP Administrator and Disciplinary Panel are appointed each year by the Area Director (with input from the Regional Commissioners).

RAPP Process Overview

RAPP Protocol Resources

Communications

• A presentation on an implentation of RAP disciplinary process that has been developed and has been successful > Referee Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) : A How-To Guide for Policy, People, Process, Procedures & Protocols

• AYSO National Policies, published in the AYSO Reference Book, Section 2.E.e. on page 2:3, adopt the US Soccer Policy 531-9 incorporating the policy and penalties into AYSO governing documents.

• Doug Ryan, AYSO National President, communication defining interim guidance for implementing the US Soccer RAP policy > AYSO_National_President's_communication_on_referee_abuse_prevention_update_and_interim_guidance

• A document outlining the expected standards of behavior towards referees in accordance with the U.S. Soccer Referee Abuse Prevention policy, as adopted by AYSO > Respecting_Our_Referees

• A short video which can be used to communicate the RAP program implementation to coaches, referees, parents and spectators > AYSO꞉_Referee_Abuse_Prevention_Video

Templates

• An email template to introduce the RAPP program implementation to Board members > AYSO_RAP_program_proposal_template

• A template to define roles and responsibilities to implement the RAPP program in your Area > RAP_Program_Area_XX_Implementation_Protocols

• A sample RAP report to the Executive Member > RAP_Sample_Investigatory_Report_and_Recommendations

Administrative Support

• Referee Report to report misconduct by players or team officials.

• Incident Report to report misconduct by anyone not a player or team official. Use the "Describe how the incident, injury or property damage occurred" section for the narrative.

• Contact information for the 1/10/11 EXPO RAPP workshop instructors > RAPP How-To_260207.Instructors

• Contact information for your AYSO Referee Administrators > AYSO National and Section Referee Administrators