The 2009 U.S. Soccer Referee Directives are now available online. The ten (10) Directives are provided to assist in the management of games at the highest levels and, hence, are of interest not only to match officials but coaches and administrators as well. The objective of the Directives is to provide a more unified and consistent approach in key areas of game management.

• 100% Misconduct - Tactical and Red Card Tackles (.pdf)
• Assistant Referee Involvement (.pdf)
• Contact Above the Shoulder (.pdf)
• Dissent (.pdf)
• Free Kick and Restart Management (.pdf)
• Game Disrepute and Mass Confrontation (.pdf)
• Game Management Model - Flow Risk Taking Game Control (.pdf) 
• Slides (.ppt)
• Handling the Ball (.pdf)
• Injury Management (.pdf)
• Managing the Technical Area (.pdf)

Viewing U.S. Soccer's Referee Position Papers:

To view the video related to position papers from the U.S. Soccer Referee Department, log onto ussoccer.com's YouTube page and go to "Playlists" and then to "Playlist Name: U.S. Soccer Referee Department" or click one of the links below. This recent addition to the ussoccer.com's YouTube page is the place to get caught up on all of U.S. Soccer's rule interpretations.

• ussoccer.com YouTube Page (front page)
• U.S. Soccer Referee Department Playlist (all referee videos)

Position Papers:

• The Fourth Official, Standing or Sitting (.pdf) - added 08-28-12
• Requirements for Injured Player (.pdf) - added 08-28-12
• PK run to the Ball (.pdf) - added 08-19-11
• Signaling Advantage (.pdf) - added 08-06-11
• "I Got the Ball!" (.pdf) - added 08-06-11
• Law 4 and Hair Control Devices (.pdf) - added 06/08/09
• Head Injuries (.pdf) - added 3/31/09
• Serious Injuries (.pdf) - (Watch now on YouTube) - added 3/26/09
• Offside - Interfering With Play (.pdf) - (Watch now at YouTube) - added 03/25/09
• Priority of Assistant Referee Responsibilities (.pdf) - added 03/24/09
• Courageous Call (.pdf) - added 02/13/09
• Player-Coaches (.pdf) - added 11/11/08
• Player Jerseys (.pdf) - added 10/21/08
• Rescinding a Card (.pdf) - added 6/26/08
• Match Reports and Discipline ( .pdf) - added 04/07/08
• Objects on Field (.pdf) - added 4/3/08
• Offside Offense On A Corner Kick (.pdf) - added 04/24/08 - (Watch now at YouTube)
• 'Pass Back' Violation ( .pdf) - added 5/21/08 - (Watch now at YouTube)
• Increasing the Communication Effectiveness of The Officiating Team ( .pdf) - added 02/28/07

Memorandums:

• 'Kicks From The Penalty Mark' Memorandum (.pdf) and Checklist (.pdf) - added 04/02/2009
• 7 + 7 Cautionable & Sending-Off Offenses (2009) (.pdf) (English)
• Infracciones Sancionables con Amonestación y Expulsión 7 + 7  (.pdf) (Spanish)