someone must be new and going deep into the archives

This is a 2018 thread also!

Anonymous wrote:My high schooler, who is an avid soccer player, is interested in learning how to referee youth games. Has anybody had a child do this? Would appreciate recommendations for training courses as well as thoughts on whether this is possible to do as a high schooler - he'd be fine refereeing rec games. Thanks!

Our DS did it throughout high school as well. He started doing u-littles rec for Loudoun. It was a great starting point, only ref, pop up goals, 5~6 year old running around, you're basically a babysitter that keeps the ball in play. He did 1 full year of only rec games. In year two he started doing AR for older age group and higher level games. In year 3 he was predominately an AR for DA, ECNL and GA level matches at the U-13/14 level. He did do a couple U16 games but only as an AR. He was fine doing the head ref position but often didn't want to deal w/the parents or coaches so he'd stick to AR.

He absolutely loved it, he earned some good money for the time invested and it was really easy to get his cert. When he did it, he did some online courses and then had to day a 1, 2 or 3 day in person classroom and field course for his level. He got his basic cert for year 1 and then went up a level in year two if i'm remembering correctly.

Once you get your certs, you'll need to reach out and find the referee assignors for your area. They're typically associated w/a club but they do all the games in a geographical area. if you go to their website you can find the referee assigners for the various clubs/leagues. 5~8 years ago there were only a handful that did the entire area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have a referee assignor who will also schedule referee certification clinics. Check your kid's club website and follow the referee link.

DC and Virginia residents should sign up through Vadcsoccerref. Maryland residents through the Maryland links. Both are the state level affiliates of US Soccer.

Make sure they sign up for the Grade 8 referee course. Some clubs offer a basic ref class that is not actually a certified referee and would be a waste of time.

One note re the bolded: You can be a MD resident reffing in DC or VA and vice versa. You just need to be certified by the State where you want to ref.

So if my kid has a ref license in VA he is good to go for DC and MD?

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. Thanks! I had found both of those websites, but wasn't sure how to help begin the process. Does he need a Level 6 certification to start? Some other level?

Referee grades do not equal school grades. You enter as a 9 or an 8 and then try and reach the next level.

Grade 9 is an entry level grade geared towards younger teens who will referee only rec games.
Grade 8 is the basic referee for local youth matches. Anyone, including teens, can take this course and enter at this level
Grade 7 means you can work adult matches.
Grade 6 is a State Referee and requires previous experience at grade 7. These referees work this highest level youth matches, competitive adult matches and regional competitions. They are assessed on their performance and have to pass fitness tests. Good youth referees are often encouraged to work towards this level as they approach their college years.
Grade 5 is a higher level State Referee generally certified to work most all matches up to 2nd division professional.
Grade 4 is a National Assistant Referee - runs line on professional matches
Grade 3 is a National Referee - referees professional matches
Grade 2 is a FIFA Assistant Referee - full international matches
Grade 1 is a FIFA Referee - works full international matches

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have a referee assignor who will also schedule referee certification clinics. Check your kid's club website and follow the referee link.

DC and Virginia residents should sign up through Vadcsoccerref. Maryland residents through the Maryland links. Both are the state level affiliates of US Soccer.

Make sure they sign up for the Grade 8 referee course. Some clubs offer a basic ref class that is not actually a certified referee and would be a waste of time.

One note re the bolded: You can be a MD resident reffing in DC or VA and vice versa. You just need to be certified by the State where you want to ref.

No, you just need to be certified by US Soccer, which is done through the state associations. If you live in MD register in MD. If you live in DC and are affiliated with Stoddart or Capitol FC, you register with Virginia. Virginia residents should register in Va. Yes, you can still referee games throughout the region, it's just best to be registered with the state association where your club is based.

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have a referee assignor who will also schedule referee certification clinics. Check your kid's club website and follow the referee link.

DC and Virginia residents should sign up through Vadcsoccerref. Maryland residents through the Maryland links. Both are the state level affiliates of US Soccer.

Make sure they sign up for the Grade 8 referee course. Some clubs offer a basic ref class that is not actually a certified referee and would be a waste of time.

One note re the bolded: You can be a MD resident reffing in DC or VA and vice versa. You just need to be certified by the State where you want to ref.

Most clubs have a referee assignor who will also schedule referee certification clinics. Check your kid's club website and follow the referee link.

DC and Virginia residents should sign up through Vadcsoccerref. Maryland residents through the Maryland links. Both are the state level affiliates of US Soccer.

Make sure they sign up for the Grade 8 referee course. Some clubs offer a basic ref class that is not actually a certified referee and would be a waste of time.

http://www.ncsl-soccer.com/how-to-become-a-soccer-referee

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. Thanks! I had found both of those websites, but wasn't sure how to help begin the process. Does he need a Level 6 certification to start? Some other level?

Nope.
Your kid should be taking the entry level (Grade 8) certification class, and there is no prerequisite for it.
Just sign up and show up. Some classes have an online component as well.

OP Here. Thanks! I had found both of those websites, but wasn't sure how to help begin the process. Does he need a Level 6 certification to start? Some other level?

My DD received her certification to ref in DC (http://www.vadcsoccerref.com/) as a high school junior at the lowest level, and reffed DC Stoddert rec games at the U-10-U12 level. She had a blast, and it paid something like $28-$32 per game. Games are about an hour. I went to a couple of games to watch her ref, and really enjoyed it. The Stoddert parents were cool.

It's very easy to do as a high school student. You can sign up for as many or as few games as you want.

http://marylandreferees.com/msr2/

http://marylandreferees.com/msr2/?page_id=21

It's actually easier being a line judge. The money is great.

Also, the assignor's website is a nightmare. Get to know who is the assignor and form a relationship and get your assignments via email.

My high schooler, who is an avid soccer player, is interested in learning how to referee youth games. Has anybody had a child do this? Would appreciate recommendations for training courses as well as thoughts on whether this is possible to do as a high schooler - he'd be fine refereeing rec games. Thanks!