How to Become a Referee
Becoming a referee is not a terribly difficult process - but let's be totally honest here - staying one is. Not having a ton of experience, I can't help a whole lot with the later, but here's a quick summary of what to do for the former (OK, and a little of what I've learned - take with salt).
Different states have different ways of administrating referees: some have regional associations, some are assigned by individual clubs, some, for all I know, are organized by Elvis. But if you want to become a ref, probably the easiest thing to do is to contact a soccer club and ask if they have any information. There's a chronic referee shortage, so if the person who you talk to doesn't have information available immediately, it's very likely s/he'll have information on who to talk to. Should the club have more referees than they know what to do with, contact the USSF, CSA, or whatever your national governing body is ASAP so they can share their secret - if they're just clueless (more likely), you can try searching the web for the state SRA or SRC (State Referee Administrator, Association and/or Committee); if they don't have a list of clinic times and locations, they'll certainly provide one via email. Myself, I found a flyer at an indoor soccer facility over the winter and called. But I've never seen any others before or after. Hmmmmmmm.
One thing I should mention is that there are two major youth soccer organizations in the US (this, making the assumption that you live in the US - your own country may vary): US Youth Soccer, which is broken down into State or region (for those big states) organizations, and the American Youth Soccer Organization, or AYSO. The AYSO is, theoretically, less competitive than US Youth Soccer, with an "everybody plays" atttiude. I also understand that the refs don't get paid - which is fine until you get your very first hellish game (then you realize why refs get paid even for the easy games). I don't know the formal process for becoming a ref in the AYSO; it seems most areas are either one of the other, so much so that the USSF now allows cross-certification. High and Middle Schools are another matter altogether - contact a school and get information from them.
When you first become a referee, you have to have a 16 hour class, usually split over two days in a single weekend, followed by a test. I don't know if all the tests are the same, but it's pretty basic, and if you've read the Laws of the Game with some degree of concentration, you should be just fine. Following that, you have a 5-8 hour clinic each year, and very possibly the same test forever onward. Do yourself a favor, sign up for the grade 8 (entry level) referee course, rather than the linesman - you don't have to do games you're not comfortable with, and you won't have to re-take the full course just to become an eight.
Ta daa! You're a referee - now what?
At my clinic, there was an assignor just waiting to pick up the newly minted referees - this was a very smart woman. Unfortuantely, it doesn't always work out this way, so sometimes people are left with their new badge, wondering what the heck to do now. My suggestion is, if you remember it, ask the instructor(s) before they leave the room; it's possible the clinic was sponsored by a local club to make sure their local pool of referees will contine to whistle. If you forget, go back to that club you initially talked to and find out who their assignor is (the club may not have their own assignor, but they definately deal with one - again, this goes back to how things are assigned in your area). Otherwise, hit the internet and talk to a bunch of clubs, one will be able to help you. Still having problems? Remember that referee association we talked about four paragraphs up? They'll often have a list of assignors on their website - if not, email them - it's their job to help out in referee issues, and getting work is one of them.
If you're serious about refereeing - and I mean, "I want to be a good referee" which can include, but is not synonymous with, "I want to referee MLS games or the World Cup", you'll notice quickly that the Laws of the Game are vastly different than the rules we're used to with other "American" sports, which are pretty compendious tomes full of sections, paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, and so on. Soccer's Laws are pretty simple, deceptively so, and you'll find out pretty quickly that refereeing is more art than science. There are some additional books you should read, and things to do, and need to do, if you want to take it seriously:
In the USSF's website, in the Referee section, go to the Referee Development link. You'll see, among other usefull stuff, the USSF's a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for New Referees. Also check out FIFA's Questions and Answers to the Laws of the Game.Secondly, join SOCREF: it's a huge number of referees, that argue and bicker about nits, discuss trends, provide wonderful insights, and, especially when you're new, help you understand that you're not alone. There's also some high-level referees and instructors on the list. It's massively helpful.
Third, go to the USA Cup. I have a problem with most tournaments, but there are exceptions. This is a big exception. Yes, it's in Minnesota, yes, it's an entire week, and no, they don't pay well - but it's the best darn experience you can get as a new referee. You get a chance to work with refs from all over the world who really care about the game, as well as with teams from all over the country, and occasionally, the world, too. I'm not kidding - it's extremely rare to have a totally local officiating team (or, as likely in your case, two from Minnesota and you) - and pretty darn common to get at least one from another country. Brand spankin' new refs are often paired with FIFAs. I know of many refs who look foward to this all year long, and I'm one of them.
On a practical side, what do you need to buy for this job? Keeping in mind that this might turn out to be a short-term deal, you don't want to spend a lot of money, so here's what I consider a minimum list of equipment:
- Jerseys: buy three jerseys, a yellow, a black, and a red. Many people just tell you to get yellow and black, and if you're working in-house games where the assignor works for, and knows all the teams, that's fine. But if you work travel leagues, please do the rest of us a favor and get a red jersey, too; a good many of us hate wearing black, especially when it's warm out - and it's becoming very common for teams and goalkeepers to wear those colors as well - officially they're supposed to change before us, but if that was the case, the USSF wouldn't have four jersey colors, would they? You may well be saying, what about blue? Unless your assignor recommends it, skip it until you decide you really want to keep reffing. As for the make of jersey, it really doesn't matter, but make sure you get one with flaps over the pockets - so if you get jerseys from Official Sports, get the good ones, otherwise get Olympus jerseys. They're just as good, they're cheaper, and you don't have to worry about looking like a dork because the contents of your pocket just scattered all over the field. There is a time and a place for getting the full Official Sports kit, but this isn't it.
- Shorts: Go to a soccer store and try some on - most of the styles are exactly the same, so it'll depend on the fabric you like. Official Sports has some sportier and lighter shorts that I really like, but because I couldn't find a vendor that had them in-stock, I had to take a chance, bought one to try it out, then bought a bunch of others when I decided I like (some don't, so don't take my word on it). Some vendors make referee shorts specifically for women, too.
- Socks: Don't go cheap. In fact, I will recommend a specific brand: get The Ref Sock from Official Sports. Now. Here's the URL if you don't believe me: http://officialsports.com/socks.htm. All of the store-branded referee socks I've tried have sucked, but these are cushy, comfortable, and stay up. Keep at least one spare pair in your bag at all times, for when you do multiple games, or if the weather is bad. You don't need to USSF Logo Sock, and ignore the striped socks in colors other than white (they're used in college games).
- Shoes: Go with something comfortable. If it's in your budget, have a second pair in case the weather is bad, and you have games the next day. Keep in mind that referees in the center don't need the torque that players do, so you don't need cleats unless the field is very soft - I usually use flat-soled shoes (used in indoor soccer, when on astroturf) in the middle, and turf shoes (the ones with 50 or so little nubs on the bottom) on the line. Keep in mind that turf shoes can be real pains to break in.
- Whistles: Whistles are cheap, get a bunch of them. OK, get two at least. Fox 40's are incredibly popular because they're very very loud. However, if there are games going on next to you, keep in mind that they're very very popular, and you want the players on your field to be able to tell the difference between your whistle, and the one from the field next to yours. Most soccer stores that also have referee gear will let you try them out, too.
- Cards: They're plastic, they're cheap, get some spares in case you misplace them. Get yourself some write-on cards, too. You may not care for them for day-to-day use (I don''), but they work better than paper when it's raining out. I would recommend against any write-on cards that require a pen to use - they get messy, and not just on the card, on your shirt. I love these write-on cards from Custom Cards which uses a pencil instead.
- Pencils or Pens? Pencils. No ink blotches on your shirt, and if you accidentally transpose which team scored a goal, it's more easily corrected. Keep two on your person, a few more in your bag.
- Watches: Get something that's comfortable, and keep two. Most of us hard-core people wear both, but some put their second in their pocket. Avoid stopwatches that hang around your neck - it looks stupid when you run with them.
- Flipping coins: Use something unique or impressive. Quarters or pennies look dorky and unprofessional (seriously - if the captains think you don't care, they will communicate it to the rest of the team) - go to the bank and get a 50-cent piece: it's big, easy to see, and most of the kids haven't seen them. Foreign currency is good - and flipping coins are a common give-away at certain tournaments.
- Flags: Go cheap, but not über-cheap. You'll appreciate something that swivels on windy days, as opposed to something that was stapled to a dowel (that only lasted me one game).
A few things not to do
There are a few things that you really should avoid doing. The good news is that this list is small - we've all made mistakes, and chances are we've all made, or will make, the same ones at one time or another. But if you heed these, you'll save yourself some trouble, and some injuries, and some real headaches (and most of these are from my experience).
First, be aware that assignors are often desperate for officials; some are better than others, and most won't have you do more than back-to-back games (two total); beware anyone who wants more. If you like doing weekend tournaments, really really really beware those. It's not that they're bad, but almost all tournaments I've run will try to milk you for 5-6 games or more. Don't do it! It does a disservice to players and fans, cause you to injure yourself, and maybe burn out of the game. The assignor will beg, saying they don't have enough officials to go around - this is not your problem - this is the problem of those who abuse officials, and the 80-90% attrition rate (per two years). I suggest this: limit yourself to no more than two games, and be firm about it. If you can do more, then next time do a little more - but remember that the goal of a good referee is to work his or her butt off in service to the game. I tell assignors that I'll do no more than three hours work - if that's three hours of U8, that's fine; if it's U17 or higher than it's two games, either way I'll be bushed. If you're still not convinced: think if the weather turns really crappy (like when I worked five games in my second year in near freezing weather, and didn't realize I pulled a ligament in my foot until the next day, when it thawed out and I woke up screaming in agony and unable to walk), you can do your job and go home; if the weather is not crappy, and still feel up for something else, I bet they'll find one for you.
Second, don't do varsity high school on your first year. Hopefully you'll have someone to tell you this - I didn't, so just in case nobody else does, I will: don't do varsity high school on your first year of reffing, even if they'll take you. It'll be hideous, trust me. The rules are different, the attitudes are very different, and the level, style of play, and expectations are very different. If you want to do high school, contact your nearest high school, and ask about reffing their junior-varsity squads for the season. Trust me, I wish somebody told me this - I'd have one less police escort in my life, and I'd never have to tell a reporter who ran onto the field, "No comment." Am I getting through?
Third, turn down games you're not comfortable with - but do it to your assignor if at all possible. It'll make their life easier, and your life easier. If you can't reach your assignor, and you surrender your middle to another official for the good of the game, then tell your assignor later. I once lined a game for a center referee who said he turned down almost all his high school middles that year, because he wasn't comfortable doing them, but decided to keep the playoff center because the assignor asked him to. My guess is that the assignor didn't know he had barely done any middles. That would be the second time I'd had a police escort after a game (by the way, if you poo-poohed the last paragraph, please note both times I've had police escorts were at high school games).
What all three of these really come down to is, don't overreach yourself. The goal of your first couple years of reffing is to get out onto the field, and decide if you really like doing this thing. If you do, then start pushing outward - trust me, there's a demand for good, experienced officials, if you put the effort into it, you'll be noticed.
Mostly, have fun, ask questions and for advice - don't let the coaches get to you.
Originally written in July 2003, updated January 2007.
Thanks for the advice – great tips on the equipment as well as the high school comementary!
[sgshnds] () - 03 March '07 - 19:48
Hello, can someone tell me who to contact about using one of your photos? I work for a crime prevention website called POP Center and we wanted to use the image with the red card for one of our techniques in situational crime prevention (i.e. inducing shame). Would this be possible?alison (URL) - 02 October '07 - 09:18