24-48 hours prior to match day
Center: Make contact with your crew. Determine uniforms and where and when to meet if carpooling, or where to park and meet at the field.
AR’s: if you don’t hear from the center reach out and make contact 24 hrs. prior to the match.
Match Day
If something happens (sick, injury, etc.) and you can’t make the match, contact Gary Cox 865-679-2237, or Susan Williamson 865-310-0051. Don’t wait until the last minute. Do it sooner rather than later.
If you have not made contact with a crew member after texting, phoning, emailing by 10:00 AM in the morning on matchday again contact the above.
Have pre-prepared w9’s filled out and available. It saves you time not having to fill them out if needed. Fill out any paperwork requested by the host school.
Check the hotline for changes or cancelations: 865-690-5988 press * during the welcome and enter pin 456789#
You can also text or email the host Coach or Athletic Director to confirm the game is still on. Contact information should be on Arbiter. You can also call the school and check the game status if there are no contacts.
At the Field
Fill out any paperwork you need in order to get paid. If you are presenting a fee card find out from the coach or AD/Game Administrator who gets it. Please write legibly!
Determine the best/fastest entry and exit point. Sometimes the school AD can advise on the best route for you once you are there.
Review Field Conditions for hazards like raised sprinkler heads, holes, etc. Let the home team know of anything you find. Hopefully, they will take notes and have them corrected before the next game.
Observe bench locations.
Check Nets and anchoring. If they are not anchored do not start the match.
Administrative meeting
Let the AD/Game Administrator do his opening stuff… Note: The home coach should never act as the Game Administrator. If this happens please let Gary/Mike know after the game.
Find out where the AD/Game Administrator will be during the match and where he will be at the end to escort you off the field.
Find out if there is a trainer and where they will be.
Confirm that the scoreboard is the official clock.
Ask where the teams will go if there is a weather delay. Review inclement weather policy.
If thunder is heard or lightning is seen play is delayed for 30 minutes from the last flash or thunderclap. Do not accept a coach or trainer with a lightning monitoring device say it is okay it’s over X number of miles away we are good to play. The coaches can decide to reschedule if a half is not completed.
TSSAA has asked if you witness another TSSAA contest (baseball, softball, etc.) continuing once you have stopped for lightning or thunder, please let Mike or Gary know that evening (text, email). This rule applies to ALL games and practices.
Ask if the district plays overtime. If they don’t know, no overtime. If they do review the overtime procedure for regular-season games.
Teams will play two 10 minute Golden Goal (Sudden Victory) overtime periods. At the end of the first 10 minute overtime period, teams shall change ends. There shall be a two-minute interval between periods. If at the conclusion of the two 10 minute Golden Goal (Sudden Victory) overtime periods, a tie still exists, the tie shall be broken with the penalty kick procedure outlined in the NFHS Rules Book.
Environmental Conditions
Find out if the heat index is an issue or a potential issue. Review the hydration break policy if it will be needed.
Under 95 degrees Heat Index
Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire. Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration. Ice-down towels for cooling. Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
95 degrees to 99 degrees Heat Index
Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire. Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration. Ice-down towels for cooling. Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action. Contact sports and activities with additional equipment. Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact. Reduce time of outside activity. Consider postponing practice to later in the day. Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index.
100 degrees to 104 degrees Heat Index
All sports – Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire. Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration. Ice-down towels for cooling. Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action. Alter uniform by removing items if possible. Allow for changes to dry t-shirts and shorts. Reduce time of outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning is unavailable. Postpone practice to later in day. Contact sports and activities with additional equipment. Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety. If necessary for safety, suspend activity. Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index.
Above 104 degrees Heat Index
Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play, and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
Mercy Rule
Mercy Rule (Goal Differential) – After a 5-goal differential has been reached, the game clock shall run continuously except for heat time outs and injuries. For the remainder of the game, the clock will continue to run regardless of the goal differential. If a 9-goal differential has been reached at halftime or at any time during the second half, the game shall be terminated.
Match & Misconduct Reporting
BEFORE sending TSSAA any report…Contact Mike or Gary by text, email, or phone call (leave a message if no answer) ASAP!
Go ahead and record EVERYTHING in the Arbiter game report section.
All straight red cards: report to Mike or Gary and TSSAA (after hearing back from Mike or Gary)
All double caution for PLAYERS: report to Mike or Gary only (no TSSAA report)
Any Issue (caution, double caution, warning, argument, etc.) with a non-player (coach, trainer, ticket taker, fan, etc.) report to Mike or Gary and further if necessary
Any injury that requires transport to offsite medical: report to Mike or Gary and TSSAA (after…)
Any injury that may have a possible break, sprain, concussion, etc. report to Mike and then further if necessary
Any injury by Concussion that re-enters the game (provided protocols are followed): report to Mike or Gary and TSSAA (after…)
Any other unusual circumstance or situation (including field markings, equipment issues, etc.) report to Mike or Gary and further if necessary
Be Professional
Look and act in a professional manner at all times. Your behavior on and off the field reflects on all of us.